One does not often think of Florida as a state that could suffer from unemployment, but unfortunately, there is not a state or country that is except from the perils of unemployment it happens everywhere. Of course, the Florida Unemployment Office (Telephone: 1-866-778-7356) has its share of claims as well. Though Florida unemployment is low in comparison to other states (3.8% reported in July, 2005), it can be considered high based on the number of jobs that one would consider being available in the state of Florida. After all, when one thinks of Florida, one doesn't think of Florida unemployment, but rather one thinks of the multitude of jobs that are available with the large number of banks who make homes in the state of Florida along with the marinas and other outdoor events that create a large number of jobs. Unfortunately, the Florida unemployment rate is indicative that not one of the states is exempt from the perils of unemployment.

Florida depends on the tourist trade for a good portion of its income, but at the same time, recent hurricanes took a toll on the tourist trade, affecting the Florida unemployment rate as well. Additionally, areas of Florida were hard hit by hurricanes, putting some people out of work. The only good part of this scenario is that a state relying so heavily on tourist trade is better able to pick up the pieces, which is apparent with the Florida unemployment rate being only 3.8%, its lowest since 2000. Of course, on the other side of the spectrum is the possibility that people whose home states have been hit hard by unemployment are not going to travel as they once did, a factor that is going to affect both Florida unemployment and tourist trade. In the end both of these will have an effect on the economy because if the tourists are coming to spend money, there will be less money going into the economy in Florida. This means Florida will be looking at bad times.

Like other states, the Florida Unemployment Office has a career assistance office that is also able to provide training for displaced workers. Not only are these career centers able to direct workers into training programs to learn a new skill, they can also offer assistance with job searches, resumes, and interview skills. These are of greatest importance for older workers who may have been on the same job for many years, and has become the victim of a lay off or worse yet, a downsizing. The skills they used on the job they had may not be required at other companies, or they may need to find new skills in order to find a job paying comparable wages.

Florida unemployment can be affected by other things, too, such as the minimum wage of $6 40. Of course, this does not apply to employees who receive tips, as they can be paid $3.13 per hour. The sad part there is one cannot guarantee that the wait staff and others are going to receive over $3.00 per hour in tips. What happens if they don't? Is the employer going to pick up the difference? Worse yet, if these below-minimum wage workers should become displaced, are they entitled to Florida Unemployment insurance? And at what rate? If they are legally paid less than minimum wage based on a pre-determined expectation of tips, the employer should have to pay Florida Unemployment insurance based on the presumption that the employee is earning that amount of money. Perhaps that is being done, but the regulations that are available for viewing don't state that precisely.

For those who aren't particularly choosy about the job they do, there are plenty of possibilities in Florida with its almost year-round warm weather. The marinas are always a possibility and work even for the tourist who finds himself or herself short of cash, as the marinas will hire people to work a day or so at a time. With the large number of beaches that are open year round, the retail outlets close to the beaches are another source of income for those who don't mind working with the public. Anyone who has ever traveled to Florida knows there are plenty of banks and office buildings in many of the bigger cities such as Tampa, Orlando, and others. Of course, sadly, the banks are downsizing as well, and this may in the end affect the Florida unemployment rate as these cut backs begin to take their tolls on people in Florida as well. The Florida unemployment has fared well so far, but as more and more banks and major corporations try to do the same amount of work with less people, one can only wonder how this is going to affect the 'Sunshine State?'