Letters, I get letters and faxes and phone calls and e-mail from readers who have questions about the world of work.
Q–I was fired. Can I still get unemployment compensation?
A–Probably not. You can always apply for it, but your employer, who has paid into the state unemployment fund for you, may be able to prove you don’t deserve it.
“Typically, if you’re fired, you won’t get unemployment compensation, but it also depends on the laws of the state you live in and the reason for being fired,” said Laurie E. Leader, labor and employment lawyer based in Northbrook.
In Illinois, Leader says, “you’re ineligible for unemployment if you’re guilty of gross misconduct, which is defined here as deliberate and willful violations of work rules or policies, or if your discharge is related to a felony.”
But you are entitled to a hearing, and in most cases you can represent yourself, the attorney said.
Q–I’m at a dead end in my present job, so I sent a resume to a real estate developer. They said they were interested in me but were partners in a deal with my present employers and didn’t want to be accused of poaching. I believe my immediate supervisor and even the human resource department would be sympathetic to my interviewing with them. What shall I do? Is it too late?
A–Get your present boss to recommend you for the job. That way, all bases are covered. But you should have done your homework in advance and known about the connection. It may be too late for this job, but give it a try. And now that word is out, keep job hunting.
Q–Why do companies downgrade secretarial jobs? Job descriptions are the same for entry level support staff as they are for those who have been there for years, have additional training and upgraded computer skills. And pay is tied to the level of the manager you report to, which keeps it static.
Many companies are reluctant to promote or pay adequately anyone in the area of support staff–a shortsighted view. And it is outdated to tie the salary of a secretary to that of the boss you report to; it should be based on the work you do. The basic problem here is that this pay standard usually only applies to female-dominated jobs, which makes it a form of sexism. And the reluctance to promote support staff is elitist: No matter what you do, you rarely can move out of secretarial work.
But you can move on to another company where, hopefully, you will be paid for the skills and experience you’ve acquired in your present job.
Q–The public is aware of high-paying jobs offered MBAs, but what is little known is that they are only offered to MBAs from well-known programs. I invested $25,000 in my MBA but didn’t graduate from a top 50 program. I couldn’t get a good job, so I also became a CPA (Certified Public Accountant). Should I get a second MBA from a top school? I’d hate to pay for two MBAs but wonder should I take another shot or just lump it?
A–You’re right: Some MBA programs are more equal than others. And, you were very wise to get your CPA certification. But another MBA, even from a more prestigious school, is a waste of time. Make the placement center of the school you graduated from help you find a good job. You’ve paid for this help with your tuition.
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Carol Kleiman’s columns appear Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Watch her at 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Sundays on CLTV’s “Jobs Plus.” Send e-mail to ckleiman@tribune.com.
