Unemployment

Unemployment: A Forced Time off

Definition, Explanation	Tips, Checklist
Articles	Information Sources

Definition, Explanation

The terms unemployed, jobless refer to people who are looking for a paid job and do not find one. Unemployed people are normally registered as such at the labour agency, while there is a number of silent unemployed that are not registered because they are not entitled to unemployment benefit, or do not expect to be supported, or do not want to be denoted unemployed.

For the first two months from the date of loss of the job, a person gets unemployment benefit I, with the amount depending on the last income/salary. If no new job is found within that period, unemployment benefit II is paid since Hartz IV. Also, the labour agency supports self-employment with the starting subvention, which replaces former “Überbrückungsgeld” and “Ich-AG”.

Besides the labour agency, today, there some other institutions and networks concerned with unemployment and supporting and aiding unemployed. Some of them are focussed on groups like long-term unemployed, academics, women and unemployed aged 50 plus.

Tips, Checklist

• Immediately report unemployed at the labour agency once you know about your dismissal
• Use opportunities of working in mini-jobs to find jobs for permanent employment
• Connect to other unemployed for regular exchange, encouragement and information
• Check in how far you are suited for self-employment

Articles

• Social costs of job loss; Physorg.com, August 19, 2009
• Guide for newly jobless on social networks; NBC, May 4, 2009
• The top things to do when you can't get a job; Forbes.com, April 29, 2009
• For laid-off, a lesser problem: What to do today; NBC, April 1, 2009

Information sources

• Fun-Emplyment