I Prayed have prayed
Lord, let our nation’s leaders be granted wisdom, knowledge, and understanding.
Reading Time: 2 minutes

More than 1.8 million unemployed Americans have turned down jobs over the course of the pandemic because of the generosity of unemployment insurance benefits, according to a poll published Wednesday by Morning Consult.

Of those surveyed who were actively collecting unemployment benefits, 29 percent said they had turned down job offers during the pandemic, according to the poll.

And among the group who said they had passed on a job, 45 percent cited the generosity of the benefits “as a major reason why they did not accept the job offer.”

The findings are based on Morning Consult’s survey of a representative sample of 5,000 US adults from June 22 to June 25.

Based on the 14.1 million Americans who were collecting unemployment benefits as of the week ending June 19, the most recent figure available, Morning Consult estimated that 1.84 million Americans had passed on a job due to unemployment benefits during the pandemic.

“These UI recipients possess the necessary skills and experience to be offered a job in the current economy and had some level of contact with prior employers or actively applied to positions at some point during the pandemic,” John Leer, Morning Consult’s chief economist, said in a note.

“While health care concerns and childcare obligations are a barrier to many unemployed workers accepting jobs, these workers acknowledge that they would be employed in the absence of unemployment benefits,” he added.

The figure applies to out-of-work Americans who were receiving any unemployment benefits, including traditional state unemployment as well as the federal emergency benefits that doled out an extra $300 per week and are set to end in September.

Those federal unemployment benefits became a sticking point for business owners, Republicans and many economists this spring as job growth failed to meet expectations amid the economic reopening, leading to a labor shortage.

Critics said the additional unemployment benefits added up to more than what businesses could pay and kept workers on the sidelines while businesses went understaffed.

According to Morning Consult’s poll, 56 percent of those on unemployment said their prior income was better at covering expenses, but 23 percent and 21 percent said the unemployment checks were better or just as good as their previous pay.

At least 26 states have announced that they will pull out of the federal unemployment benefits program early to encourage a return to work, though some of those moves have been held up in court.

Leer, Morning Consult’s economist, noted that the slower-than-expected job rebound is not “exclusively attributable to the generosity of unemployment benefits.”

“Rather, a range of factors, in addition to unemployment benefits, contributed to slower-than-expected job creation earlier this year,” he added. . . .

“Furthermore, reducing or terminating unemployment benefits carries its own set of costs, particularly in terms of limiting personal income and consumption if employment income does not rapidly replace unemployment benefits,” he said.

“While more are likely to become employed as a result of expiring unemployment benefits, the transition toward income-driven spending carries its own set of economic risks.”

Do you think the generous unemployment checks are causing major issues in America? Let us know your thoughts and prayers for America in the comments below. Share now!

(Excerpt from New York Post. Article written Will Feuer. Photo by IStock)

Comments (6) Print

Comments

Leave A Reply

Your email address will not be published.

Pauline
July 21, 2021

Just as “freedom isn’t free” neither is “free stuff” or free money without a cost! Other people’s taxes are paying for able bodied people to stay home and not work!! These people are not working because they can’t find a job, they’re not working because our government is footing the bill!! They aren’t working because they are physically not able to, they’re not working because of the “generous benefits” this government is giving them!
I must admit, I really didn’t think the American workers would ever do this! I thought a few might, but never a huge amount like we are seeing!! This attitude is so destructive for families and for America, in general. I thought Americans had a better work ethic than that! My, was I wrong…..and I am very concerned. The Word says that people who don’t take care of their familes are worse than an infidel, now that’s a bad place to be!

9
blue
July 21, 2021

Because our ‘s0c’representatives pay themselves so much, they no longer know the value of money. – The so called “in charge” are more than 60% overpaid, so they have little or no recognition of an honest dollar. That said, let us pray.

7
Core Conservative
July 20, 2021

Unemployment is a stop gap measure intended for those actively looking for work. It is not meant for those who choose to stay home & take care of sick family members. That is what FMLA is for. It’s not a bad idea for those collecting Unemployment Benefits to accept a job that pays less than what their previous jobs paid, while still claiming UI Benefits. You can still collect UI while working part or even full time, so long as you report your earnings & are actively looking for work. Many people are going to end up paying thousands of dollars back if they are drawing UI, but have no intention of going to work.

4
Karen Secrest
July 19, 2021

It’s difficult to see information presented in this way. Unemployment is unpleasant for most but all seem to be lumped together in some stew that doesn’t differentiate.
Should you talk to a parent with a spouce with medical problems and small children, you find a different dynamic than the young person who works to buy electronics but turns down a job because of school schedule.
When you take away the buffer, then do you replace the need with food stamps, welfare, social services for neglected children??
Get real is my suggestion. Do you even know the dynamics of poverty or just enjoy putting down those you know nothing about..

7
    Robert Righter
    July 21, 2021

    No workie
    No eatie
    And don’t tell me I don’t know anything about being poor

    7
    Susan
    July 26, 2021

    I didn’t find it difficult to understand this article. The American Rescue Plan helped my able bodied 35 yr old son with 3 degrees sit on the couch for past mths, depressed and teaching himself guitar. The nature of fallen man. Take the easy way out with “free” money. Government will take care of you. Granted, there are exceptions, but it made a lot of people lazy socialists, I am sorry to report.

    5

Partner with Us

Intercessors for America is the trusted resource for millions of people across the United States committed to praying for our nation. If you have benefited from IFA's resources and community, please consider joining us as a monthly support partner. As a 501(c)3 organization, it's through your support that all this possible.

Dave Kubal
IFA President
Become a Monthly Partner

Share

Click below to share this with others

Log in to Join the Conversation

Log in to your IFA account to start a discussion, comment, pray, and interact with our community.