Lost tech job due to automation - NYS Department of Labor structural unemployment benefits question
My manufacturing job got eliminated when they installed new automated systems last month. The whole production line got replaced with robots and they laid off 40 of us. I filed for unemployment but I'm wondering if this counts as structural unemployment and if that affects my NYS Department of Labor benefits somehow? The HR person mentioned something about retraining programs but I'm not sure what that means for my weekly claims. Has anyone dealt with this type of job loss before?
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CosmicCowboy
Structural unemployment from technology changes doesn't affect your basic unemployment eligibility with NYS Department of Labor. You'll file weekly claims just like any other job loss. However, you might qualify for additional retraining benefits through the Trade Adjustment Assistance program if your employer files the right paperwork. Keep filing your weekly claims while you look for work.
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Paolo Longo
•Thanks for explaining that. Do I need to mention the automation aspect when I file my weekly claims or just report that I'm looking for work?
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Amina Diallo
same thing happened at my factory 2 years ago, robots took over the whole assembly line and 60 people got cut
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Paolo Longo
•How long did it take you to find another job? I'm worried these tech changes are happening everywhere.
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Oliver Schulz
You should definitely look into the retraining programs your HR mentioned. NYS Department of Labor partners with WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) to help people whose jobs got eliminated by technology. You can keep getting unemployment while you're in approved training. I used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to someone at NYS Department of Labor about my retraining options - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Way easier than trying to call the regular number.
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Natasha Orlova
•Wait, you can get unemployment AND do training at the same time? I thought you had to be available for work to get benefits.
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Oliver Schulz
•With approved training programs through NYS Department of Labor, you're considered to be meeting the work search requirement. The training counts as your job search activity.
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Javier Cruz
THE ROBOTS ARE TAKING OVER AND NYS DEPARTMENT OF LABOR DOESN'T CARE! They just want you to file your weekly claims and pretend everything is fine while entire industries disappear. This structural unemployment is going to get worse and worse.
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Emma Wilson
•I mean, it is frustrating but the unemployment system isn't designed to stop technological progress. At least there are some retraining options available.
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Malik Thomas
My brother went through something similar when his warehouse got all those automated picking systems. He had to do some computer classes but ended up getting a better job operating the new equipment. Don't give up - sometimes these changes work out better in the long run. Just make sure you keep filing those weekly claims while you figure out your next step.
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