jobs and economic stimulus

[harry_lyonne]

I took a job about a month ago. It turns out that my employer gets a
economic stimulus for hiring me. Well, I just got another job offer. It
turns out that new job also came about because of the stimulus. Now, I have
a major problem. I never brought up the fact that I am working, thus unable
to bring my employer that stimulus bonus. Basically, I mailed in my resume
when I was not working. Now, the situation has changed, so things are
complicated.
Aside from the fact that I have a problem with the fact that I am going to
contribute taxes which my employer will use to give me a job (sounds like
Communist China where you have to bribe your local boss to get a job), there
is another problem.
By taking the new job, I cannot sign the W-11 which states that I was not
working for the last 60 days. I worry that I will be let go if I refuse to
sign.



--- news://freenews.netfront.net/ - complaints: ***@netfront.net ---

[Mark T. B. Carroll]

Harry,

I've not noticed any responses to this. I don't have any strong ability
to advise here, but I may as well throw in my two cents.

Post by harry_lyonne
I took a job about a month ago. It turns out that my employer gets a
economic stimulus for hiring me. Well, I just got another job offer. It
turns out that new job also came about because of the stimulus. Now, I have
a major problem. I never brought up the fact that I am working, thus unable
to bring my employer that stimulus bonus. Basically, I mailed in my resume
when I was not working. Now, the situation has changed, so things are
complicated.

Well, I'm certainly not going to suggest you try getting away with lying
on your W-11! In that case, it's simply time to come clean. You indeed
weren't working when you applied, they didn't ask if you had found work
since, right? So you haven't lied exactly, now you've heard they're only
hiring you for the stimulus, I'm afraid that I think you just have to
tell them that your circumstances have changed.

Post by harry_lyonne
Aside from the fact that I have a problem with the fact that I am going to
contribute taxes which my employer will use to give me a job (sounds like
Communist China where you have to bribe your local boss to get a job), there
is another problem.

You mean, broadly that taxpayer money goes to the employment stimulus
stuff, I assume, rather than in your specific case that your employer
is having you pony up some money to cover employer's FICA or whatever.

Post by harry_lyonne
By taking the new job, I cannot sign the W-11 which states that I was not
working for the last 60 days. I worry that I will be let go if I refuse to
sign.

You could talk to a lawyer, but it's probably not worth the money. I'd
guess it's at-will employment that they can easily invent some other
reason to wriggle out of quite quickly anyway.

Sorry I can't be the bearer of pleasant surprises, but I suspect I'm
just voicing a conclusion you've reached for yourself anyway. If getting
good work is a problem, you may want to change your strategy. There are
options anywhere from doing some community college or apprenticeship
thing to improve long-term employability, to finding a good local
recruiter who understands your industry and maybe knows about employers
you don't, to offering yourself to some kind of temporary worker agency.
Good luck.

Mark

[Scott Jensen]

If you're assured you will get this second job, quit your first job
BEFORE signing onto the next job. Technically, you're unemployed
then.

Scott Jensen

[Jim Logajan]

Post by Scott Jensen
If you're assured you will get this second job, quit your first job
BEFORE signing onto the next job. Technically, you're unemployed
then.

They thought of that, so it wont work. Here's the W-11 affidavit:

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw11.pdf

Employee can't have worked more than 40 hours in the last 60 days.

My advice is to either not switch jobs, or point out that one does not fit
the criteria for the W-11 - or try to juggle things so you start work about
53 days after the last job (assuming the last 7 days is 40 hours or under.)
While I doubt the feds will be doing that much auditing for compliance,
when in doubt don't sign an affidavit claiming something that can be proved
to be untrue.

[Scott Jensen]

Post by Jim Logajan

Post by Scott Jensen
If you're assured you will get this second job, quit your first job
BEFORE signing onto the next job. =A0Technically, you're unemployed
then.

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw11.pdf
Employee can't have worked more than 40 hours in the last 60 days.
My advice is to either not switch jobs, or point out that one does not fi=

t

Post by Jim Logajan
the criteria for the W-11 - or try to juggle things so you start work abo=

ut

Post by Jim Logajan
53 days after the last job (assuming the last 7 days is 40 hours or under=

.)

Post by Jim Logajan
While I doubt the feds will be doing that much auditing for compliance,
when in doubt don't sign an affidavit claiming something that can be prov=

ed

Post by Jim Logajan
to be untrue.

Considering all the fictional jobs "created" by the stimulus package
that the White House has counted, I'd be surprised a real job would
get much focus. But do what you feel comfortable doing.

Scott Jensen