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Would you take a job you didn't want if you were laid off? 6

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Mechanical
Apr 11, 2001
45
If you were laid off for a while would you accept a job you didn't like just to have a job (in this economy)? How long would you stay with the employer for to make such a thing less "unethical"?
 
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Yes.

And I did.

Been here for close to a year.

"Unethical" is a bit of a dangerous word to use here. Would it be more ethical for me to go on welfare in order to support my kids? You gotta do what you gotta do!
 
Your employer would dump you the minute they were done with you. No ethical problem in being ready to do the same. Just do your best to be worth what they're paying while you're getting paid.
 
I have bills. Yes I would take the job if nothing else had come up in a reasonable time. If the employer says they expect you to stay at least 6 months, or whatever, then you should be prepared to stick it out.

On the other hand I am sure most employers would have little hesitation in sacking you if they ran out of work or didn't like you. So don't feel too bad if you decide to jump ship early.

Besides you might find the job is not as bad as you thought.
 
Yes.

The potentially dishonest act is pretending during the interview to be interested in the job, even though you are not.
 
I took a job I didn't like during a previous recession. Unemployment is not enough to live on - There's nothing wrong with a job that keeps you with a paycheck.

As for the job I took, pay was very low, and remained low the 6 years I ended up staying. The company was a pain to work for. But in the end, I gained engineering experience that landed me later jobs. And, the employer got good new product designs they wouldn't of had otherwise (I was the first "degreeded" engineer they had on their design staff in several years!).

For many non-prime employers, recessions are their only opportunity to have talent.
 
Yes (and have done twice not just 'in this economy').

Until I found something better, less than a year first time, just over 4 this time.



Posting guidelines faq731-376 (probably not aimed specifically at you)
What is Engineering anyway: faq1088-1484
 
Actually, I've done it another time, my first job out of uni in the UK, didn't seem to be my dream job. Turned out I really liked it and I'd like to think I'd still be there if I hadn't come to the states.

Posting guidelines faq731-376 (probably not aimed specifically at you)
What is Engineering anyway: faq1088-1484
 
By the way, did the similar thread731-254959 not give you enough info?

Posting guidelines faq731-376 (probably not aimed specifically at you)
What is Engineering anyway: faq1088-1484
 
1. Yep.
2. As long as they can stand me.
It's usually not that long. ;-)



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
 
"By the way, did the similar thread731-254959: $25/hr no overtime pay for PE with 9 yrs exp not give you enough info? "

I did review that thread, but that was a money issue. Not quite the same. Thanks for the opinions, guys.
 
Perhaps you should re-read, since the same subjects came up, regarding when to bail, ethics, etc.

TTFN

FAQ731-376
 
The only ethics that apply is that you look out for your financial interests while they look out for theirs. All within legal boundaries, of course. Give them a two week notice before leaving, and all is even.

I had a similar question on this board. Needless to say, the employer in question had no integrity and I didn't have to worry about quitting.

If you ever have an interview with a "Vice President of Engineering" who didn't have an engineering degree, and who never worked under an engineer, and who didn't know what an EIT is; there's a very good chance they're not running a smooth operation.
 
I have taken a couple jobs after layoffs and liked them, including my current one.
Once I took a job at a small engineering company, it was the worse job I ever had...worse than flipp'n burgers!

Chris
SolidWorks 09 SP4.1
ctopher's home
SolidWorks Legion
 
Yes especially if the job came with medical benefits. You have to pay the bills somehow

"If you are going to walk on thin ice, you might as well dance!"
 
It's a known fact that it's easier to find work while you're in work than if you're unemployed, so it is better to take a job that you don't really like as it is more likely to lead you into a better job. Of course in the UK the financial benefit would depend on how much you earned compared to how many state benefits you'd lose (medical benefits don't apply as everyone gets that anyway regardless). In terms of your own self esteem though, take the job.

corus
 
I have taken jobs that I would normaly not consider, and not just due to a bad economy. I have also enjoyed them and learned from them as well.

Peter Stockhausen
Senior Design Analyst (Checker)
Infotech Aerospace Services
 
Good point; jobs look different from the outside, so your initial appraisal may be inaccurate.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
 
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