Construction worker unemployment - what kinds of unemployment are likely to affect construction workers with NYS Department of Labor?

Construction workers typically face several types of unemployment situations. Seasonal unemployment is the most common - when weather shuts down outdoor work in winter. There's also cyclical unemployment when the economy slows and fewer projects get funded. You might experience temporary layoffs between projects, which could qualify for regular UI benefits. If you're union, you might be eligible for standby status during brief work interruptions. The key is understanding which type applies to your situation when filing with NYS Department of Labor.

been in construction 15 years and dealt with all kinds of layoffs. seasonal is obvious - november thru march usually dead for outdoor work. but theres also structural unemployment when your skills dont match whats available (like when everything went digital and older guys struggled). and frictional unemployment between jobs even when works plentiful

ugh the seasonal thing is so frustrating! every winter its the same drill filing for unemployment then getting back to work in spring. at least NYS Department of Labor knows to expect us construction workers during certain months

If you're having trouble reaching NYS Department of Labor by phone to ask about your specific situation, I used claimyr.com last month when I couldn't get through their regular lines. They helped me connect with an agent who explained the difference between seasonal layoffs and temporary project gaps. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Really helpful when you need to clarify which type of claim to file.

Also watch out for partial unemployment if you're only getting reduced hours instead of full layoffs. A lot of construction workers don't realize they can file for partial benefits when work slows down but doesn't stop completely.