Any update on how this all worked out?
I think it’s an interesting dynamic. It’s a bit tricky here in Oregon. Apparently freelance work in Oregon is defined as “self-employment” and if you’re self-employed, then it’s your problem if you can’t find work. Meaning the unemployment benefits stop. Which can be less than ideal in this current economy.
If you are working on freelance projects, then you are not “actively seeking full-time work.” We all know that you can put a days work in and still have time to email off some resumes, but I think the unemployment dept. is behind the times.
If you are receiving benefits, take freelance work, don’t claim a week, and then try to claim, you have to restart your claim. At which point they will call your last employer to see why you aren’t working anymore. Which is professionally embarassing. AND, they only do that for part-time work. If you state that you are self-employed, your claims go into review, and there is a 3-5 week delay before they resume benefits, if at all.
It kind of throws a wrench in the gears of getting on-track to finding a full-time job. If you’re eligible for unemployment benefits for an extended period of time, which many people are these days, you’re risking a lot of $$ on a freelance gig. What if it goes nowhere, and you’re denied any future benefits?
Apparently lots of companies are hiring people as “contractors” to get around paying UI taxes. The state is cracking down on this loss of revenue.
Bottom line, it sucks to say “No” to freelance work, because you’re afraid of losing your benefits.