Quote:
Originally Posted by jcommin
In the 70's and 80's much of the steel making industry closed in Chicago. I worked in the mills for 7 years. The labor force made great money: big $/hr for what they did. When the mills closed, they put many out of work. There was a period when these unemployed workers refused to work for anything less than they made at the mills. There was a larger percentage that thought the mills would come back. None of this ever happened. Those folks were lost. They never recovered.
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That is a fascinating anecdote. Can you tell us more about the aftermath? What became of the people who "never recovered"? What have they done for the last 30 years?
I have known people who lose a job for whatever reason, and refuse to get another kind or lower paying job, holding out for exactly what they want, or rather, think they deserve.
Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. I'm not sure what I would do in that position, frankly.
I would say that after 3-4 years of unemployment, maybe it's wise to consider taking a lower paying job (over nothing), or be willing to relocate.
Problem is, people refuse to identify themselves as a waitress or Wal-Mart worker or whatever, even if temporary.
I guess if you can get away with not working for years and years, then it's a rational response to the de facto incentive structure?