Springfield WORKS program allows people to move up in career by filling in gap from lost benefits
'I said, if I take this promotion I could lose my subsidized housing,' she said. 'The promotion doesn't pay me enough.'
Welcome to the 'cliff effect' that puts people who are working low-wage jobs in a quandary. They do everything to get ahead but when they have an opportunity for promotion, being put in a higher income bracket means they can lose needed subsidies for child care, housing and health care which can't be made up.
Christmas did take the job and lost $200 a month in food stamps, but her children aren't going hungry because a new initiative led by Springfield WORKS called Bridge to Prosperity is helping her make up the difference. That now gives her a chance to earn more and develop the job experience to move up the career ladder.
'It is difficult to make ends meet,' she said. 'I feel trapped and I don't like feeling trapped …I want to move forward, I just don't know how.'
The Cliff Effect Program has been years in the making and was kicked off in February with a total of 18 clients statewide including seven in Western Massachusetts, said Anne Shecrallah Kandilis, initiative director for Springfield WORKS.
The cliff effect doesn't just keep people from gaining financial independence, it also leaves employers unable to promote good workers into positions with more responsibility, she said.
People often think of benefits for housing, child care, food stamps and health care as a package but they are each granted individually and have their own income thresholds so it is difficult to sort through the loss of finances.
The pilot program essentially provides people the extra money and other assistance that allows them to jump from a $16- or $17-an-hour job to one that may earn $20 or $25 an hour and fills in the gaps for lost benefits until they move ahead again and become financially independent, she said.
'We want to help people in low wage jobs who want a career,' Kandilis said. 'It is about identifying people who might be ready.'
The project took years to create and is done in partnership with at least 14 agencies and funders including the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, United Way of Pioneer Valley, the Massachusetts Economic Pathways Coalition and the MassMutual Foundation.
It has now secured about $2.6 million, some of it in state money with the help of Sen. Adam Gomez, D-Springfield, and Reps. Carlos Gonzalez, D-Springfield, and Patricia Duffy, D-Holyoke. It is now working to raise another $2.6 million so it can grow to 100 people by the end of the year, Kandilis said.
Gomez called the program a transition to economic independence that makes sense.
'The cliff effect is one of the barriers and a structural flaw in our system that penalizes progress,' Gomez said. 'Families who are doing everything right, working, advancing, striving find themselves worse off.'
While the program provides financial support to make up for lost benefits, it also assists with individualized job coaching and help with financial management. In two years, clients also receive a $10,000 asset building payment to support life-changing investments such as purchasing a car or finding a better place to live, said Kristen Joyce, program director for the Cliff Effect Program.
The program is very individualized so that it helps people with what they need. For example, Rachel Keenan, who works at Baystate Medical Center in the business department, has now applied to a hospital-sponsored nursing training program through Holyoke Community College so she can become a nurse.
In the meantime, the Cliff Effect Program is assisting her with paying health insurance premiums which increased as she received a raise.
Keenan inherited a house from her parents but the roof is failing and if she doesn't replace it, she could lose her insurance. Cliff Effect is helping her replace the roof so she has an affordable and safe home and can build equity that way.
'It has been a huge help. The roof will make a huge difference,' she said.
Read the original article on MassLive.
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Hamilton Spectator
02-08-2025
- Hamilton Spectator
As Canada Post workers reject Crown corporation's final offer, next steps are unclear with both sides urged to return to bargaining
Canada Post workers have voted down the Crown corporation's 'final' contract offer, and labour experts say it's unclear exactly what will happen next in the already bitter dispute. Members of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers' urban unit voted the offer down 68.5 per cent to 31.5, while members of their suburban and rural unit turned it down 69.4 per cent to 30.6. Just under 81 per cent of the 53,000 eligible CUPW members cast their ballot. The voting, ordered by the federal government and monitored by the Canada Industrial Relations Board, opened on July 21 and wrapped up Friday at 5 p.m. In an emailed statement, CUPW urged Canada Post to come back to the bargaining table, and said the federal government should encourage bargaining to continue. 'The Government has stated its support for unions and fair bargaining. It needs to back its words with action by supporting a return to the bargaining table by both parties for meaningful negotiations. 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Yahoo
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Aon fired employee with ADHD who wanted to work in the office full time, lawsuit alleges
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Forbes
24-06-2025
- Forbes
How To Strategically Use AI To Launch Your Career In 2025
Welcome to the workforce, class of 2025. Here's how to leverage AI effectively in your job search. The class of 2025 should use AI in their job search Landing your first full-time job is an impressive feat at any time, but today it's becoming even more of an accomplishment. Between the current economic uncertainty and the AI-ification of the workforce, the class of 2025 is struggling to find their place in a fast-changing world. A study released today by iCIMS found that although entry-level hiring is up 6% over last year, there are still far too many candidates waiting in the wings. For every entry-level job opening, 36 people applied—compared to 29 applicants per entry-level job opening last year. Gen Z applicants are also dealing with the disconnect between companies' professed skills-first hiring strategies and how they actually hire. iCIMS found that although 95% of recruiters say they use skills-based practices, when assessing entry-level candidates they rank experience (37%) and education (34%) above skills (28%) as the most important factors. Yet for all this, there are still great opportunities out there for persistent job seekers. 'While the job market is highly competitive, graduates who remain adaptable and resilient in their job search efforts can find meaningful opportunities,' says Jake Gomez, Head of NA Vertical Strategy, ManpowerGroup. 'The job market is evolving, not closing, and job seekers must adapt accordingly.' I recently connected with Gomez to discuss the current state of entry-level hiring and how new grads can optimize their chances in a shifting employment landscape. Here's what we covered. 3 major challenges in today's job market Gomez sees three major hurdles that this year's college graduates must overcome to launch their careers. All of this adds up to a growing pessimism as the Class of 2025 surveys its hiring prospects. And it's not all in their heads. 'The job market challenges are evident, coupled with a 1.6% higher unemployment rate for new graduates compared to the current unemployment rate,' says Gomez. 'Even in our just released ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey (MEOS), U.S. hiring intentions declined slightly to 30%, a 4% drop from the previous quarter.' Standing out In today's job market, Gomez estimates that it will take most graduates 4–6 months to find work—and upwards of 8 months for certain degrees. And they'll need to go beyond the basics. 'They need to make themselves relevant and stand out from the crowd,' he says. To help differentiate yourself, Gomez believes you should: 'And network like it's your job because until you find one, it is.' How AI is affecting the job search AI is a two-edged sword: while it can help young job seekers, it can also hurt if overused or not used properly. Gomez points to ManpowerGroup's latest research on AI in the workplace, which shows that 85% of employers now use AI in hiring processes. Most, however, recognize its limitations. One-third (33%) say AI can't replicate ethical judgment, while 31% cite customer service as uniquely human. 'Yet the research reveals a nuance that while AI won't replace people, people who can leverage AI will have more value than people who don't,' says Gomez. 'These findings underscore a growing consensus toward AI as a tool for augmentation, not replacement.' So where can AI be a help, not a hindrance? Where should you be cautious of AI? Gomez says it can often be too generic. 'Overreliance on AI-generated content without personalization can make applications feel unauthentic,' he says. AI may also add skills that don't reflect your actual capabilities. 'This can backfire in an interview if the job seeker can't speak to the skills,' he warns. Finally, it's all too easy to become overly dependent on AI. 'AI can become a crutch and hamper growth in critical skills,' says Gomez. To make the best use of AI in your job search, says Gomez, you should co-create with AI to generate a starting point or framework. 'But you must edit and ensure it reflects your voice,' he says. 'Make sure your answers stay 'you.' Ensure you stay true to who you are, embracing your strengths, values, and interests.' Job searching beyond AI While AI is now a big piece of the employment puzzle, it's not the only tool you can use to get hired. Gomez identifies three key actions you can take to improve your employability: It's true, the current job market isn't an easy one to break into—but the class of 2025 has already achieved so much. 'By focusing on skill development, networking, and flexibility, new graduates can navigate this landscape and find rewarding career paths,' says Gomez. 'And most importantly, control what you can control—your effort and attitude. Don't give up, ask for help, and be kind to yourself and others. 'You will succeed.'
