tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28575321.post115347996395272297..comments2006-07-31T10:02:14.673+09:30Comments on Insanity: OccupationTriashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01512116110647902787noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28575321.post-1153739458979451542006-07-24T20:40:00.000+09:302006-07-24T20:40:00.000+09:30I've never been on the dole, but I've been out of ...I've never been on the dole, but I've been out of work on several occasions between jobs and after finishing uni so know what a slippery slope it is. Feeling useless and being poor saps your confidence and makes you depressed. You turn up to interviews and project this image and you've got no chance.<BR/><BR/>Making the leap from no job to a permanent position can be very difficult, but temp work is relatively easy to come by. Even an entry level data input role will pay better than the dole <I>and</I> get you out of the house meeting people.<BR/><BR/>I think if the conventional ways of finding employment aren't working (they certainly haven't for me) you've got to look for other avenues and be more flexible about what it is you want to end up doing.<BR/><BR/>I've never had much of a clue what I want to do with my life, and still haven't, so have drifted from one thing to the other. I never thought I'd end up working in finance as I'm one of the least money-motivated people you could meet, but here I am. I'm still working on a temporary contract through an agency, though at least it seems to be heading somewhere. I'm learning new, transferable skills and the pay isn't bad.dreamkatchahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07575101391371636953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28575321.post-1153737736127519042006-07-24T20:12:00.000+09:302006-07-24T20:12:00.000+09:30I have looked into the question of part time work....I have looked into the question of part time work. Over here part time work results in loss to your dole payment. As far as I can tell you don't loose other benefits like cheap bus fares until a certain point is reached. At low pay rates (say $60/frtnight) from the job the financial penalty is small. At modest levels it seems to reach a point where the tax you pay and the cost of employment (ie car, uniforms etc) mean you are slightly worse off than the basic dole. I'll know more clearly when I actually do it. <BR/><BR/>I want the job for its interaction and cv benefits more than money. Sure I think if I work part time I deserve the money but that's the system and I live with it. Of course there are limits to how much financial penalty I can take.<BR/><BR/>In reality people in my situation tend to do under the table jobs if they want money. No reporting no tax etc and also illegal of course.<BR/><BR/>Once you move into full time good quality work though the pay rates are well above the dole.<BR/><BR/>There are no food stamps here.Triashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01512116110647902787noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28575321.post-1153681852664202542006-07-24T04:40:00.000+09:302006-07-24T04:40:00.000+09:30I'm thinking the 'screaming Liberal' part is not s...I'm thinking the 'screaming Liberal' part is not so much, because you evidence desire to complete your education and get off the dole. Sounds like you've also found some of the holes in the concept, and I fear that our welfare here in the US contains similar, if not identical, ones. <BR/><BR/>I'm curious whether you are also penalized on the dole by finding part time work, as those here are when taking welfare assistance. For instance, if you find some job that might aid you (maybe in allowing you access to resources for research and writing), can you still take part in the 'remainder' of the assistance? (Example, you could replace part of the $300 per fortnight with $150 from a part time role with perks, can you do so, or risk losing all of the assistance?)<BR/>Here in the US, I know of cases where folks have tried to leverage themselves off welfare honorably, and found their attempts blocked by losing food stamps and other resources if they dis-Q for welfare. Hard to boot strap in those situations.<BR/><BR/>At any rate - I can see that it's a challenge, and that you're trying to get to your goal. Good on you.Barbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00476391782757609394noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28575321.post-1153660632690893072006-07-23T22:47:00.000+09:302006-07-23T22:47:00.000+09:30Thanks for your reply. Have you head the monty py...Thanks for your reply. Have you head the monty python song? I know it's [koff] British but..<BR/><BR/>Where did your lollypop go? I better check your blog.Triashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01512116110647902787noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28575321.post-1153657666754246872006-07-23T21:57:00.000+09:302006-07-23T21:57:00.000+09:30It sounds like you're trying to get your shit toge...It sounds like you're trying to get your shit together though, Trias. Fighting depression, unemployment, and also "coming out" makes for a hard road. You've got a good head on your shoulders (even though it SCREAMS "liberal", haha!), so I'm sure things will turn out ok for you.<BR/><BR/>Sometimes life sucks. And other times... you suck on the lollipop of life, taking in it's sweet taste.<BR/><BR/>I think we both need more lollipops in our lives right now.AFSisterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01083729569111431417noreply@blogger.com