Conference 7.286::digital

    
    My wife lost her job with US Air and was given six weeks severance. 
    During that time "six weeks" she was unable to collect unemployment.
    When it ran out she then allowed to apply.  Even if it was lump sum
    the state said she would have to wait an equal number of weeks.  In
    other words - no unemployment.  This is in North Carolina other states
    my differ.

    I was laid off from Burroughs in Massachusetts and received 29 weeks'
    severance in a lump sum, and the same number of weeks' of extended 
    insurance coverage. I was allowed to apply for Unemployment the 
    first week after termination and only had to wait the standard two
    weeks before collecting my first check. Rules may have changed since
    1982, however. 
    
    Linda

    From what my friend said it sounded as tho you were unable to collect
    unemployment for the time you were covered by medical insurance regard-
    less of the amount of severance you received.  SO if you got 3 months
    severance but 6 months medical coverage you couldn't collect for
    6 months.
      Nancy

    Question #1 - unemployment is the decision of each state.  Each state
    agency has their own regulations which influence the outcome.  The only
    influence that Digital has over the decision is through providing the
    facts of the circumstance when the state calls requesting information.  
    
    Question #2 - Does Digital still claim those employees on their taxes? 
    Yes!  Whenever any corporation spends or makes money within a tax year
    it is required, by law, to report those transactions.  Paying for
    people's medical benefits is a cost for which any company must account.
    
    Hope this helps.
    
    Steve Hayes
    

    I personally know someone who took the first package and got 104+ week
    of pay (whatever the max was on the first package, that is what they
    got).

    This person lives in New Hampshire, and worked in Mass. They went to
    New Hampshire to file for unemployment, and was told because they
    worked in Mass, they had to go to Mass to file.  They went to Mass, and
    was told they could not file until the end of their 104 weeks.

    Gale

re .3:
>    From what my friend said it sounded as tho you were unable to collect
>    unemployment for the time you were covered by medical insurance regard-
>    less of the amount of severance you received.

Perhaps that contributed to the change between the "voluntary" severance
packages and the involuntary one.  All "voluntarily" severed employees
received a year's medical insurance, but involuntary ones receive coverage
for as many weeks as they receive severance pay.

    What Gale wrote in 1369.5 is true for Mass. although there is an 
    additional catch to this, say this person files for unemployement
    after the 104 week waiting period and has not worked in that time.
    The state would base the benefit amount on the 52 weeks immeadiatley
    preceding the date the claim was filed less the severance benefit
    which would amount to $0. 
    
    Anybody want to guess how much the state would be paying out to this
    claim on a weekly basis.
    
    TGM

    When I was allowed to collect without waiting I was an involuntary
    termination. Might there be a difference in the waiting period 
    depending on voluntary versus involuntary?
    
    Linda

    re .7
    Please cite the facts you are using to support the assertion in your
    last sentence. (*52 weeks immeadiatley (sic) preceding the date the
    claim was filed less the severance benefit)
    Since you are using that to assert that such people will NOT get
    unemployment compensation, there is quite an important issue involved.
    
    
    
    				herb

    In Massachusetts the Division of Employment Security offers *$ZERO*
    compensation for a voluntary termination.  Only those terminated
    involuntarily are eligible for unemployment benefits.
    
    Mac.

    re .9
    The information I shared with you in reply .7 was gained when I was
    offered the Buyout in November. As part of my decison I went on a 
    fact finding mission to the unemployment office in Marlboro Mass.
    I was told that any claims being submitted were based on the income
    of the 52 weeks prior to your claim not counting your severence 
    benefits. An example would be if you were given 26 weeks severence
    you would wait the 26 weeks then file your claim, unemployment
    would go back 52 weeks subtract the 26 weeks of severence then base 
    your benefit on the balance which equals 26weeks. The impact of this
    is that you would most likley be getting half the benefits you would
    get if you were laid off without any severence (benefits are based
    on your income and dependents so if you were really high paid it is
    possible to recieve more than half pay on benefits). There are a 
    number of variables to this and I don't have exact information to
    give you but I hope you at least understand the concept of 
    what I'm trying to share with you.
    One other point I think is worth mentioning I was also told that some
    people who were involved with the first buyout apllied and were given
    benefits right away but the state has reconsidered and has not only
    stopped the payments but is going to make the recepients repay any 
    and all benefits recieved from the state.
    Hope this helps.
    
    TGM 

    yes, thankyou