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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2009
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Unemployment Now Lasts Longer Than Benefits

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(Newser) – A rough milestone on the jobless front: The average length of time it takes to find a job—26.2 weeks—now exceeds the standard length of unemployment benefits—26 weeks. That's first time it's happened since the Labor Department began keeping stats 60 years ago, reports Bloomberg. The bit of good news for job-seekers is that Congress has temporarily extended benefits up to 59 weeks in hard-hit states and is working on another extension.

Bob Hillman, right, the National Career Fairs event coordinator, right, talks to attendees prior to the start of a job fair in Richmond, Va., Friday, Oct. 2, 2009.
Bob Hillman, right, the National Career Fairs event coordinator, right, talks to attendees prior to the start of a job fair in Richmond, Va., Friday, Oct. 2, 2009.   (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
A job fair in Richmond, Va., on Friday.
A job fair in Richmond, Va., on Friday.   (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
A job fair in Louisville, Ky., Friday.
A job fair in Louisville, Ky., Friday.   (AP Photo/Ed Reinke)
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19 comments
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Derni
Oct 3, 09 10:13 AM CDT
The unemployment picture has not made a substantial change... Reply
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+5
IN RESPONSE:
DJM420
Oct 3, 09 10:21 AM CDT
only one aspect is that many people cannot take just any job...they must take one that offers health insurance...a lot of companies are out-sourcing more and more just to avoid that cost alone...(of course there are many other angles, my statement estimates this is part of the problem, not the only problem)
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+9
IN RESPONSE:
WallyEFunk
Oct 3, 09 10:35 AM CDT
One comments made awhile ago on the same thoughts .."You think you have true freedom, then quit your job. " I would guess the meaning is allot of PPL wouldn't, because of fear of not having health care.How true is that?
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+6
IN RESPONSE:
Strega
Oct 3, 09 10:41 PM CDT
DJM: if someone is unemployed and wants to work - then they should take any job they are able to obtain. If they are that fussy that they'd rather sit home than take a job just because they don't get benefits is foolish. Or would they rather remain on the government dole? Not much in the way of health benefits there, free clinics? possibly but working would be a good start to get money to purchase a health insurance policy or perhaps pay for their own health care. Too much is put on the employer, too much is expected of the employer. They are in business to make money, if hiring 2 people is possible without giving benefits instead of 1 person with benefits the economy demands the 2 people be hird. When it's post recovery, then renegoiate.
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+3
schmidtkoff
Oct 3, 09 10:24 AM CDT
this is very depressing. I left my full time job to become semi-retired, because i was able to, but am working part time. i am grateful for that. but congress has got to get some job stimulus going. i understand that the prez said recently that it would get worse before it gets better, but how much more of this can americans take? somebody needs to step up to the plate. Reply
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+2

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