Would ESD benefit from a state transitional employment program for laid-off workers?

that would actually make sence. everytime i call ESD it takes 2+ hours to talk to someone so they DEFINITELY need more workers lol. and it would save $ on benefits too

While this is an interesting idea in theory, there are several practical challenges that would make implementation difficult: 1. State positions require specific training and qualifications - someone laid off from manufacturing likely doesn't have the skills to immediately process ESD claims or handle DSHS intake without substantial training 2. Civil service rules and union contracts govern most state hiring, making immediate employment legally complicated 3. The budget allocation process for state positions is quite rigid and planned well in advance 4. Background checks are required for many positions that handle sensitive information A better alternative might be expanding the WorkSource programs that already exist to provide more transitional support and job placement services. The current system is designed to provide temporary income support specifically, not transitional employment.

when i got laid off from boeing in 2022 it took 6 weeks to get my first payment. i would have taken ANY job during that time just to keep paying rent. not sure if state jobs pay as well as aerospace but anything would be better than $0 and the anxiety of possibly getting evicted. worth considering IMO

This idea comes up periodically but ignores the fundamental nature of how state agencies operate. I've worked in state government for 15 years, and just getting a new position approved can take months, let alone onboarding someone. Even temporary positions go through HR processes, budget approvals, and background verification. The most practical solution would be improving the existing systems rather than creating a parallel employment program. Focus on modernizing ESD's technology infrastructure, simplifying the claim process, and expanding staff during high claim periods.

I LOVE THIS IDEA!!! I've been saying for YEARS that the people who actually USE government services should be the ones RUNNING them!!! My claim has been stuck in adjudication for 5 WEEKS now and nobody at ESD seems to care that I can't pay my bills!!!! The whole system is designed to be as frustrating and slow as possible to discourage people from collecting benefits they're ENTITLED TO!!!

While your idea is creative, I'd like to clarify a few points about how unemployment insurance actually works: 1. UI benefits are funded by employer taxes based on their layoff history, not from the general state budget 2. There's a legal difference between being unemployed vs. being employed by the state in a temporary role 3. The skills gap would be substantial - processing claims requires specific training As someone who went through 9 weeks of adjudication last year, I understand the frustration with delays. I finally got through by using Claimyr (claimyr.com) which connected me directly to an ESD agent. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3. Once I actually spoke with someone, my issues were resolved within days.

I worked in workforce development for 7 years, and while this idea sounds good on paper, there's a huge disconnect between losing your job and being ready to work for a state agency. However, there ARE some transitional programs that might help: 1. Worker Retraining Program through community colleges 2. Dislocated Worker Program through WorkSource 3. Trade Adjustment Assistance for workers affected by foreign trade These programs can provide training stipends, job search assistance, and sometimes direct placement. The real problem is that most people don't know these resources exist or how to access them. ESD should focus on better connecting laid-off workers with EXISTING programs rather than creating new ones.

My cousin in Oregon told me they do something kinda like this already. When COVID hit and unemployment went crazy, they took people who were waiting for benefits and hired them as temp workers to process other people's claims. Makes WAY more sense than making everyone sit around doing nothing while waiting for money!!!

what im wondering is how much would these temp state jobs pay? cause if it's minimum wage that wouldn't even cover my rent. unemployment benefits are supposed to be like 60% of your regular pay up to the maximum. would these temp jobs match that or would people take a big pay cut to work for the state?