Entry bubble Unemployment Compensation

By: Colleen | August 27, 2008 | Category: Money

Usually here at Gov Gab we're pretty good about making our posts all sunshine and rainbows and what-unemploymentnot. However, it's not a big secret that there is a lot of not so pleasant stuff going on. Food and gas prices are on the rise, and so is unemployment.

The U.S. Department of Labor's July report says that 43 states and the District of Columbia reported an increase in unemployment during the month of July. Nationwide, the unemployment rate is 5.7%—up a full percentage point from this time last year.

If you are laid off due to "no fault of your own," then you are eligible for unemployment compensation. Check your state's Department of Labor to find out the best and easiest way for you to file. Many of them let you file online or by phone. Be prepared with information such as you social security number, your mother's maiden name, and the Federal ID # of your employer (found on your W-2).

If you've been out of work because of a major disaster (must be declared by the President) like a flood, tornado, fire, or hurricane you are also eligible for Disaster Unemployment Insurance. People are eligible to claim for Disaster Unemployment Insurance a week after the event and up to 26 weeks following the disaster.

Laid off and thinking of starting your own business? There's help for that as well.

Unemployment compensation is designed to help keep you going while you find new work. During this time it is important to carefully watch your expenses, and save money. Any advice to help make ends meet while looking for work?

| View Comments [5] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: colleen   compensation   department   labor   laid   money   of   off   u.s.   unemployment  

 

Entry bubble Hotel Hygiene

By: Jake | November 19, 2007 | Category: Health

I go to Philly, I get sick. I go to San Diego, I get sick. Long story short, I travel, stay in a hotel, and I come home ill. I thought I was wearing myself down on the trips and the headache, sore throat and stomach ache were just the hometown allergens welcoming me home. That was until a friend sent me this blog post from the Consumerist.

The video is down now, but if you were to watch it you'd see sights scarier than anything you saw on Halloween. The hidden video camera investigation shows hotel maids in all five different hotels of five different chains in Atlanta rinsing and wiping glasses dry (sometimes with dirty bath towels and in one case wearing cleaning gloves they used to clean the toilet) and putting them out for the next guest.

The experts in the news report maintained that this is a serious health code violation since, of course, dirty glasses spread disease. Most of us don't pack glasses when we travel. Generally, I buy a gallon of water and other drinks and use glasses and ice in the hotel. I'd rather not buy dishwashing liquid and do dishes while on a trip, so from now on I'll just get smaller bottle drinks to be safe.

To be fair this could be an incident isolated to Atlanta and the rest of the nation's hotels put their glasses through a dishwasher--twice. But if you are like me, you see it was five different hotel chains and you can’t help but wonder.

If you stay in a hotel and suspect or see a hygiene problem, you should file a complaint with the hotel. If you are unsatisfied with how your complaint is handled or you see evidence of a larger problem, you should speak with the local health department. You can find local health departments by visiting the state health department website where the hotel is located.

| View Comments [2] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: complaints   department   health   hotel   hotels   hygiene