Proposed reduction to 4 half days - Q for JB?

Hi all,
trying to come to agreement with employer here about changes in hours / days in January. I would prefer to work 2 or 3 full days and qualify for JB for the remainder while I search for fulltime work again.

However, my employer has proposed I work 4 'half days' instead to keep the office open for the most of the week. I have looked on www.welfare.ie but it does not state if this would exclude me from qualifying for jobseekers benefit.

My understanding from reading is that as I would not be unemployed for 3 days out of 6 I would not qualify (even though my salary would be similiar to being employed for 2 full days only).

I would appreciate all advice, cannot get to SWO until later in the week, thanks.

You will not qualify for JB due to the 3 in 6 rule as you state above

Thanks Welfarite, I was thinking that but my employer was hinting otherwise. Will do my research thoroughly before agreeing to any immediate changes - thanks again.

A lot of employers try and adjust hours so that employees don't lose out too much; obviously yours is thinking of his own losses!

welfarite is spot on it may be unfair but u can work and earn 1000 euro a day for 3 days and still get JB but 4 days even half days u get zero. its a bit like the little brit clip computer says no!

Impossible to say as rate dependent on her earnings. Best ask at SWLO when next signing.

I asked SW this question when we went on 3 days since it was one of the options discussed. I was told that we had to be available for alternative employement on the off days claimed for and therefore if we worked part days with our main employer, then we would not qualify for JB.

That's correct. You have to be unemployed for the full day to get JB for that day. Working even one hour a day would knock you out for that day. However, youa re entitled to claim for any full day you are not working once you make yourself available for alternative work on that day.