Unemployment: COVID-19 shutdowns demand flexibility

Recently, I was temporarily laid off from three jobs. Two employers are in restaurant/hospitality and the other in education for the Tacoma School District.

I was directed by all three employers to apply for unemployment, but I found strict rules and guidelines that denied my eligibility.

I was told that 680 hours of work were required with any one employer. I had well over 700 hours with one employer since starting there, but unemployment eligibility is based on the previous year excluding 2020 hours worked.

I was told that unemployment would be flexible to help workers affected by COVID-19 shutdowns, but I am currently not eligible for benefits. I’m sure many others are finding themselves in the same situation.

I’m a mother of two and don’t want to find myself homeless/jobless because of mandatory shutdowns. I’m extremely hard-working and in desperate need of employment. I have been job hunting but finding it scarce.

Will there be help given to those in my situation? Can we spread the word now?

This story was originally published March 31, 2020 at 6:34 PM with the headline "Unemployment: COVID-19 shutdowns demand flexibility."