I was half joking, and the laws are different from state to state, but it really comes down to the company and how they respond when you file. I think being fired is the one you definately don't get anything though. Laid-off is best.

>Really? I thought you had to be fired to collect unemployment. I'm sure I could have provoked that -- my boss seemed to be setting me up for exactly that, to be sure nobody blamed him for the runaway project -- but decided being fired at my age, in a declining field, would be much more catstrophic than a few weeks of unemploment pay.
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>>While you're traveling, don't forget the unemployment office to sign up for your checks. <g>
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>>>My daughters will not be here this weekend so I am going to indulge myself. I am leaving on the 2:48 train downtown and will revisit the Taste of Chicago. After that, the Westin on Michigan Ave. I could use a heavenly bed.