Oh hai~I can haz umploymentz?

June 5, 2008 9:01 AM

I just finished a 3 month temp assignment. I'm in the great state of Maine. Can I collect unemployment?

I just finished a 3 month temp assignement. It was miserable, but that's another story. I called my temp agency to see if they had another assignement and they said they'd get back to me. From my experience assignments around here are few and far between. I should note that the assignment ended, I did not leave voluntarily, even though I was planning to anyway.

The complication is that I've had a longstanding 1 month vacation planned, starting in 2 weeks.

So can I collect unemployment? Will this piss off the agency and make them never hire me again? Will they just try to stick me with a stupid assignment so that they don't have to deal with the unemployment? I've never collected before in my life so don't have any ideas about this.

posted by sully75 to work & money (6 comments total)

I don't think you're eligible from temp work, as it is designed to end. Look here for more info.
posted by miss tea at 9:07 AM on June 5

No.
posted by ethnomethodologist at 9:11 AM on June 5

I don't know thing one about Maine - but I can tell you that in Massachusetts you can get unemployment after temp work, and most agency websites have information about how to go about filing. Usually it involves checking in with them first for new assignments, and yes, they'd rather stick you with a stupid assignment (and get paid for it) then accept your unemployment claim. But find out! Didn't you get sheaves of paper from the agency when you signed up? There was probably a pamphlet in there on this very topic!
posted by moxiedoll at 9:33 AM on June 5

Though it might piss off the temp agency and doesn't mean you'll be eligible, according to Maine's website, you should try applying


It doesn't look like I'll be able to collect unemployment after reading this information. What should I do?

You should file a claim. This information is provided to you as a guide only. Your eligibility cannot be accurately determined without actually filing a claim for benefits. You will be provided with a written decision that can be appealed if you disagree with the facts. Your claim cannot be backdated for any reason and valuable weeks of benefits could be lost if you delaying filing a claim. You cannot be denied the right to file a claim and receive a determination of eligibility.

posted by drezdn at 9:42 AM on June 5

ethnomethodoligst is correct.

The Maine DOL is just covering its ass by telling you to file a claim. If you file a claim, the temp agency WILL dispute it and you WILL be denied. SOP for temp workers in Maine, I'm afraid.
posted by briank at 11:04 AM on June 5

The complication is that I've had a longstanding 1 month vacation planned, starting in 2 weeks.

I'm confused -- are you trying to get unemployment for just those 2 weeks? Or while you're on vacation? I'm pretty sure you have to be at home and actively looking for employment to keep getting those unemployment checks. From the same page drezdn linked:

"You may be disqualified if you:

- were discharged or fired for misconduct
- voluntarily quit without good cause attributable to the employment
- are not able and available for full-time work
- are not a U. S. citizen and not authorized to work in this country
- have limited the wages, hours, days, or areas of a job you would accept
- do not report for or satisfactorily participate in reemployment services as directed
- are self employed
- are involved in a strike
- are not looking for work
- refuse suitable work"

A number of these seem to apply to you.

Also, just as an aside -- is this the only temp agency where you are? Are there others you can call? If yes, call them all -- might get a few days' work before you leave town.
posted by JanetLand at 12:56 PM on June 5