I'm going into a meeting in 11 minutes where my company is going to announce that half the workforce is going to a reduced schedule to save money; 32-hour weeks instead of 40-hour weeks.
Because our hours are being cut, we will be able to file for unemployment coverage for those 8 hours a week.
Because of the CARES act in the US, I will compensated $600.
I will be losing about $100 in actual take-home pay.
So in the end, I will be only working 4 days a week, and taking home MORE money.
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I had an issue with that, at first. I'm well-paid for what I do, and I live comfortably within my means. Not having a day's pay isn't really going to hurt how I live.
But, having another $600/week is going to definitely cause me to spend more. Into my local economy. At businesses I love and support, and that are run by local families, friends, and generally good people.
So am I happy to take a free $600/week and distribute it amongst the businesses I most want to see succeed right now?
Damn right.
But man... what a messed up place America is, right now.