You’re not ‘unemployed’ if you’ve gone fishin’
Q: I work with a school board in a “permanent contract position.” This means I’m officially hired for 10 months and then laid off during the summer. When I filled out my application for employment insurance benefits for this summer, I had to declare that I’m “ready, willing and able to work at all times” and that I’m “actively looking for work.” In truth, I’m not willing to work; I took this job so that I could spend more time with my kids. I have a great job 10 months of the year, and that’s all I want. It seems both my school board and the government accept this situation. Have I made a mistake?
A: Employment insurance pays benefits to people who are actively looking for a job and can’t find one. And that ain’t you. Service Canada is clear about how this works for people in 10-month contracts with school boards. From the website servicecanada.gc.ca: “Like every other person who claims regular benefits, you must prove that you are capable of and available for work and unable to find suitable employment for any day that falls within . . . the non-teaching period . . . You need to show that you are willing and able to accept immediately any offer of suitable employment . . . ” It can’t get clearer than that. The only wiggle room might be in the concept of “suitable” employment. Exactly what this means is currently — and controversially — under reconsideration, but the principle, for now at least, is that an unemployed computer programmer can’t be expected to accept a job as a fisherman. If, for example, you are a guidance counselor, you wouldn’t be required to take a job as a burger flipper.
Your dilemma is pretty straightforward: Are you prepared to outright lie to get benefits? Clearly, that’s what you have thought to do. It’s irrelevant that other people are actually doing the same thing. It also doesn’t matter if your employer gives this situation a nudge and a wink — as I gather some employers do.
I don’t blame you for wanting the summer off with your kids — good for you. I hope you can make it work. To do so, however, you’re going to have to put enough money aside during the 10 months to get through. I know that sounds harsh and maybe even unfair. And yes, you’ve paid your premiums. But EI is not a savings account; it’s an insurance policy. Claiming employment insurance when you’re not willing to work is like driving a rusty old beater into a hydro pole and then claiming collision insurance. It’s unethical and illegal. It drives up the cost of the program. And it’s unreasonable to expect people who work 12 months of the year to pay for your annual vacation. A person who can’t find work is “unemployed.” A person who doesn’t want to work is “gone fishin’.” star.ethics@yahoo.ca