What Does It Mean to Be Dressed in Fur?
Most of us know what it means to be fired: you have been fired from your job, often represented through no fault of yours, and you can apply for unemployment benefits and pursue new job opportunities. But what happens when you are on vacation? Holidays are becoming more common as employers respond to the economic uncertainty of the coronavirus pandemic and ask unfamiliar questions to those affected. If you are on vacation, can you apply for unemployment? Can you look for a job? Will you still receive health insurance benefits? Need to put your life on hold until your vacation is over?
Let’s start by defining what vacation is. When you’re on vacation, you haven’t actually lost your job. Instead, your employer has decided to either temporarily cease operations or continue with a significantly reduced workforce, and your services are not required at this time. When business resumes and your employer returns to their regular jobs, your job will be waiting for you (at least in theory). In the meantime, you are on extended unpaid leave that may or may come with a scheduled end date.
Many people do not realize that being laid off can actually qualify them to apply for unemployment benefits. While unemployment insurance programs differ from state to state, laid-off employees are often eligible to file unemployment claims. In fact, any worker who has experienced a cut in their employer’s income may be eligible for unemployment benefits, so if you are an hourly wage worker who has had their working hours cut, see if you can apply and get some of that income back. …
The Coronavirus Relief, Relief and Economic Security Act, also known as the Nursing Act, further expands employment benefits. If you are a freelancer or economy worker, part-time or relatively short-term employee, you may receive short-term unemployment checks. Use the Benefits.gov directory to learn more about unemployment benefits in your state and to start the application process, if you are eligible.
But back to holidays: in many cases, you will continue to receive employer-based health insurance benefits while on vacation – a definite plus in a worrying situation. If your employer decides to reduce your health insurance benefits, you can either register to renew your coverage through COBRA or apply for coverage under the Affordable Care Act (yes, this is possible, even if we no longer participate in the annual period open registration as loss of coverage is considered a qualifying event).
Vacation means you can also look for a new full-time job, assuming you don’t want to wait to get your old one back, or go into the economy to earn extra money. But keep in mind that any new income you bring in can affect your unemployment benefits.
If you are currently on vacation, what steps have you taken to protect yourself financially? Did you manage to apply for unemployment benefits? Are you looking for additional work or are you waiting for it? What advice do you have for other people who find themselves in a similar situation? Let us know.