unemployment insurance policies/procedures

[mamajoan.livejournal.com]

The general laws of Massachusetts (chapter 151a, section 25) read in part:

...no benefits shall be paid to an individual under this chapter for [...] any week in which an otherwise eligible individual fails, without good cause, [...] to accept suitable employment whenever offered to him, and for the next seven consecutive weeks....

'Suitable employment', as used in this subsection, shall be determined by the commissioner, who shall take into consideration whether the employment is detrimental to the health, safety or morals of an employee, is one for which he is reasonably fitted by training and experience, [...] is one which is located within reasonable distance of his residence or place of last employment....

No work shall be deemed suitable ... [i]f the remuneration, hours or other conditions of the work offered are substantially less favorable to the individual than those prevailing for similar work in the locality....

Basically this seems to say that I can be denied unemployment benefits for 8 weeks if I am offered a job and I choose not to accept it. "Detrimental to the health, safety or morals" is fairly vague but doesn't seem like it would cover such things as "I don't think I'd fit in to this company personality-wise" or "the job requires a lot of overtime which would take me away from my kids" or "I don't find the work interesting."

Does anyone know how, or whether, this is actually enforced? Nothing in the materials I've received from the unemployment insurance (UI) people says anything about me being required to report to them when I receive a job offer. So is this one of those things where, if they find out that I refused a job they'll disqualify me, but they'll never find out so it's moot? Or am I in fact supposed to inform them of every offer that I receive?

Does anyone here know anyone who has ever actually gotten burned by this? I'm really more curious than worried.

(x-posted)

Comments

How it works

[agnosticoracle.livejournal.com]

Here is how the system worked a couple years ago (circa 2002). After filling out the initial forms they send you a card every week (or maybe every other week I forget). On the card are three questions, are you working, are you physically able to work, did you look for work (or something very similar). Answer them correctly and they send you checks.

If someone offers you a job from hell you aren't forced to take it. When you fill out the forms you are stating that you are looking for work and there is the assumption that you would take a suitable job if offered. But the grey area of what constitutes suitable employment is a question left to you. Companies don't send the state government a list of everyone they offer jobs to, so don't lose any sleep if you turn down an awful job.