It seems that every time we start thinking the pandemic is winding down, a new surge in cases again fills our news cycle and reignites our uncertainty about the future. Our economy, for a while, was all but dead as a result of this crisis. Small business owners took the biggest hit. Many shut their doors forever as the mandated shutdown stopped them in their tracks, and people were forced out of work. As things slowly began to reopen, we saw a new reality unfolding before us. Restaurants — those that actually survived the shut down — began functioning at a significantly limited capacity and with scaled-back menus. Retail shops started enforcing capacity limits and mask mandates. Entertainment venues changed their seating and rearranged their programming just to keep at least some revenue in motion. Supply chain delays began to impact shoppers, storeowners, and the trades. The reality of a slow economic recovery began to become more and more evident.
In all of this, unemployment numbers of 2020 have been unprecedented. In March, Minnesota’s numbers for unemployment benefits began a sharp incline. In May, more than 280,000 people were receiving unemployment benefits. That number, now at more than 223,000, continues to remain high, and this year’s totals are nearing 1,000,000. These numbers, while staggeringly high, are merely a reflection of the tough spot that employers and employees alike have been in this year.
In all of it, employees who are receiving unemployment checks in Minnesota still are in a spot of needing to decide:
When should I go back to work?
Obviously, not all companies have kept their doors closed. For those who’s doors have opened again, many have adjusted workplace expectations to accommodate a work-from-home scenario. Some of helped employees with children accommodate the difficulties of distance learning by allowing them a variable schedule.
But how long should you stay on unemployment?
The maximum amount of time that someone can continue to receive unemployment benefits in Minnesota is 26 weeks. That’s just about 6 months. With the COVID-19 crisis in play, that number is not necessarily consistently accurate. Benefits have been increased and extended to accommodate the economic downturn. However, as the marketplace begins to shift toward increased activity — and as additional financial benefits for those receiving unemployment dry up — people should reassess their position. Our economic recovery, while slow, is beginning to gain momentum. Business owners are recognizing the urgency with which they must move in getting things back to some version of normal. Even as this pandemic continues, new workplace expectations and flexible scheduling allows people to remain safe while also being productive.
The point is this: our economy is moving again.
Employment opportunities are opening up and financial benefits and even incentives are winding down. The time for re-entering the job market, for many people, has come.
