“I don’t know where to start?” Were you laid-off, fired, “I quit” and now you are unemployed, or what? Did you get a severance package, termination agreement or just shown the door? Find out your rights. Surf around the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration site. Also check the link to your state unemployment site.
KNOW YOUR
RIGHTS! KNOW YOUR RIGHTS! KNOW YOUR RIGHTS! KNOW YOUR RIGHTS!
Employment & Training Administration
These sites have all kinds of great information about employment, wages, benefits and laws that affect you as a worker. This is a good place to start.
FirstGov.gov - U.S. Government's official portal
The Benefits Guide: unemployment benefits information, know your rights, Veterans benefits, links, and more
U.S. Department of Labor: Occupational Handbook
U.S. Department of Labor: Working in the 21st Century
Information specifically for laid-off workers
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS! U.S. law, regulations and compliance information.
Information specifically for the displaced worker. If you workplace has closed and you are out of work, you have rights under the law. Here are a couple sites to check out and see if you qualify for retraining.
WARN The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act -
WARN Compliance
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS! Trade Adjustment Assistance
If you are over 50 you may qualify for a wage subsidy.
Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program –
TAA Expanding Opportunity -
Check you state TAA program by using Google or Yahoo and type in your state name Trade Adjustment Assistance Program. Here are some examples of what you will find.
California -
Arizona -
Florida -
Minnesota -
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS! Displaced Worker
If you are a displaced worker there may also be state assistance for you.
State Rapid Response Services
eMail your State’s Rapid Response Coordinator
Trade Act Programs for Workers -
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS! State Unemployment
Employment Law Guide
GovSpot
Or go to Google or Yahoo and type in your state name unemployment benefits.Here are some examples of what you will find.
Alaska -
Maine -
Minnesota -
New York -
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS! Health Insurance
What about health insurance? Again, there are laws. Check into COBRA. The law guarantees you may keep your group insurance for a specific period of time. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) -
There are also laws about changing your policy. Take a look at HIPAA laws under the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services .
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services -
Check the information on your state's laws and assistance concerning health insurance.
Health Insurance Info.net -
State Insurance Department Websites -
Need health insurance? Start your search here.
eHealth Insurance -
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS! Help for the unemployed
AFL-CIO’s Unemployment Resource Booklet- good information for everyone
Federal Trade Commission - How To Deal With Creditors -
Laidoff.net - all
kinds of information
Unemployment
Benefits Service
Career Protection
Laid-off.net - list of sites for unemployed
Laid-off.org - more sites
that will help
Employment Resource
Employment Search - job links
More help for the unemployed
Laidoffcentral.com - information, links, community
Laid Off In America
Job Hunter’s Bible
Industrial Relations Center
America’s Job Bank
Public Libraries
Don’t forget your public library. They are great to visit in person. They have reference librarians who will help you find whatever you are looking for. Check public library websites. They are a great resource. Support your public library!
American Library Association
Boston
Philadelphia
New York City
Baltimore
Miami
Atlanta
Memphis
Cleveland
St. Louis
Kansas City
Dallas
Houston
Chicago
St. Paul
Minneapolis
Denver
Albuquerque
Phoenix
Salt Lake City
Las Vegas
Seattle
Portland
San Francisco
Los Angeles
San Diego
Library Services via WWW Check out not only libraries in the United States, but also around the world!
