I'm currently a contractor in the place that I work at. They will be having a two-week-off period the week of Christmas and the week after that. Since I'm a contractor, I will not be getting paid for that time off as I work hourly. Has anyone ever had to go through going on unemployment to make it through a holiday break? If so, how does that work? What do I have to do?
There probably is a waiting period, but as a contractor I don't think you would be entitled to unemployment. Companies pay into the unemployment insurance system. Contractors generally have no benefits. You may need to find the definition of contractor. Not to pry too much, but do you get a W2 or 1099 at the end of the year?
Yeah, think you are hosed there. Usually companies hire contractors because they have no benefits and the company owes nothing to them if they terminate the relationship.
I have no idea what any of those things are... I'm sure I have. I have been employed consistently for about a year and some months before I started here, and there was no lapse in employment with the transition from my old job to this one. How could I be hosed? I've been told some other contractors where I work have done this before. How could they say that I can't work on these days and not get paid for it? How is it fair that I'm willing to work on some of these days but I won't be allowed to? Hell, even if I was allowed to work, I wouldn't be able to get anything done because I support customers that probably won't be there as many of them take their vacation days around this time, so nobody will be in.
Start here: http://www.ctdol.state.ct.us/ then here: http://www.ctdol.state.ct.us/progsupt/unemplt/unemployment.htm look at who may file (about 2/3 down): http://www.ctdol.state.ct.us/progsupt/unemplt/uceligb.htm#Basic Eligibility Requirements You may be eligible. IANAL nor do I play one on TV. Just BTDT a few too many times in 30 years. Go and file anyway either the day of or before. Worst that happens is you are declined. You could even call the labor department and see if you are eligible and save the gas. But if you do qualify, you will not get compensated until you file, so that's why I say to do it immediately.
