Proposed mandate forces jobless to volunteer

A Georgia lawmaker is demanding that the jobless be forced to volunteer or lose unemployment checks.

State Sen. John Albers (R-Roswell) proposed the mandate Wednesday. He told Channel 2’s John Bachman his goal is to increase work ethic and change behavior.  But at least one person out of work said the requirement would get in the way of his job search.

Robbie Sammons lost his job in shipping and receiving at a metro Atlanta warehouse a week before Thanksgiving.

"If there's nothing to ship and receive, then there's no job," Sammons told Bachman.

Sammons is a graphic designer by trade. He was already underemployed to make ends meet and now, he's applying for a state unemployment check.

“Pretty important with Christmas coming around the corner.  Still have bills to pay, food to put on the table," Sammons said.

Albers’ Dignity for the Unemployed Act would require anyone receiving unemployment checks for more than two weeks to volunteer for 24 hours per week.

"Having someone give of their time 24 hours a week, which is part-time, to serve other folks still leaves plenty of time to look for another job," said Albers.

On average, Georgians stay on unemployment 13.3 weeks. A representative for the Labor Department said that’s shorter than a lot of other states. Last week, the average unemployment check was $259 for one week.

"You need to give people a hand up, not a hand out," Albers said.

But Sammons and other people looking for work said volunteering 24 hours a week could get in the way of their job search. He said he shouldn’t be forced to volunteer.

"I don't mind volunteering, but I do mind being told I have to volunteer because that's kind of like not being a volunteer, is it? That's being made to be a volunteer," Sammons said.

Albers said the plan would get the unemployed into the job market while helping the community.

"We need that return of work ethic to be there, and I think this is a great first step into changing behaviors,” Albers said.