No, I'm not "unemployed"

[BlueStateMama]

Why is it every medical receptionist (pediatrician's office, urgent care, etc.) says, when I give my insurance info and they're making sure there are no updates, "Are you still unemployed?" or "You're still not working, right?" Apparently, if you're not employed outside of the home, you're a bum. :rolleyes

Does it sound too snarky to say something along the lines of, "I'm not unemployed, I'm a SAHM." I *know* they're just trying to get info for billing, etc., but couldn't there be a better way to get there?

[Eman'smom]

If I was unemployed I'd be collecting benefits :wink

Ok that isn't helpful, it bothers me too, you can always just say I work at home, which is totally true. I often give my cell number as my "work" number just so I don't have to deal with the "you left a blank"

[Jes]

I always reply that I work at home or I stay home with my son. I think it's unfair that because I am a SAHM I become classfied as unemployed in a lot of computer systems.

I understand your frustation.

[Robin926]

Thankfully, I've never had someone refer to me as "unemployed" (well in that official sense. Family is another story :eyesroll: ) I always get listed as "homemaker." I mean, technically, you shouldn't be listed as unemployed anyway because unemployed is only for people actively seeking employment... Not me, I'm quite busy, thank you! :lol

[wildmonkeys]

It doesn't bother me if they just seem to be gathering info for a form, but it does bother me if they are somehow using the info as a reason to minimize/blow me off, ykwim? Yesterday the whole family went to get our pictures taken for our ID badges for the new gym we joined and the guy who signed us up asked dh to sign a form saying he understood the terms & financial conditions. I am the one that researched the gym, went on the informational tour, put my credit card up and signed us up, and will actually write the monthly check :wink so I asked the guy whether I should also sign the form and he said "no that is okay, this is about finances" :angry :angry

I guess it is good because now I can run out on dh and leave him with a gym bill :mischief

BJ
Barney & Ben

[chinaKat]

I so I asked the guy whether I should also sign the form and he said "no that is okay, this is about finances" :angry :angry



Well, that's probably just blatant sexism.

Reminds me of when we were applying for a mortgage. We did it over the phone and the guy goes "OK, let me have your husband's info first. Not to be sexist, it's just you have to put the person with the bigger salary first."

!!!

I calmly replied, "Well, that would be me." (This was back when I was working outside the home.)

Man, was he flustered. Ha!!!

[Sharlla]

I guess it doesn't bother me if someone says that I'm "unemployed" because the truth is, I'm not. I just correct them and tell them I am a homemaker.

[aisraeltax]

It doesn't bother me if they just seem to be gathering info for a form, but it does bother me if they are somehow using the info as a reason to minimize/blow me off, ykwim? Yesterday the whole family went to get our pictures taken for our ID badges for the new gym we joined and the guy who signed us up asked dh to sign a form saying he understood the terms & financial conditions. I am the one that researched the gym, went on the informational tour, put my credit card up and signed us up, and will actually write the monthly check :wink so I asked the guy whether I should also sign the form and he said "no that is okay, this is about finances" :angry :angry

I guess it is good because now I can run out on dh and leave him with a gym bill :mischief

BJ
Barney & Ben


i dont mean to steal this thread, but there are soooo many times when things like that happen and it has nothing to do w/ the woman working or not...they ASSUME the men have the financial part of it, etc. it frustrates me to no end. of course, when i was single and buying a new car, i took a male friend along b/c i was getting all kinds of run around going alone. of course, i knew the price i wanted to pay, etc. but the job got much easier when i had a MAN around. :angry

and when they ask me for my occupation, i list my occupation if i were working...but then write "self-employed"....hey, if you want to call what i do right now employment, then go for it!! hehehehe

as far as unemployment, the pp is right...if they want to call me unemployed, please send me my weekly check! ;)

[wildmonkeys]

I agree, it probably was more of a sexism issue that a working/not working issue. After calming down yesterday afternoon, the thread just sort of set me back off :lol

[Tori Gollihugh]

Why is it every medical receptionist (pediatrician's office, urgent care, etc.) says, when I give my insurance info and they're making sure there are no updates, "Are you still unemployed?" or "You're still not working, right?" Apparently, if you're not employed outside of the home, you're a bum. :rolleyes

Does it sound too snarky to say something along the lines of, "I'm not unemployed, I'm a SAHM." I *know* they're just trying to get info for billing, etc., but couldn't there be a better way to get there?

"Well, you're kind of right... I'M not paid for the work I do!"

hahahaha!!! :D That's what I would say to anyone and do say to everyone who makes such comments - whether intended cruelly :mischief or not. My TONE ( :irked: or :love )in the reply is how the response changes dependant on the way the originator of the statement said it to me. :) I don't think your suggestions are too snarky! People need to be educated - SAHMing is not bonbons (at least not all the time, as some misguided :angry souls seem to think!).

[philomom]

It's called "homemaker". I tell them to please write that in the liitle spot on the form, or I will.

[Christine&men]

It's called "homemaker". I tell them to please write that in the liitle spot on the form, or I will.

Right, or in this age of abbreviations we can write in SAHM, I bet they would not even notice/know. :lol

[LDSMAMA]

I totally relate to that! It is so frusterating!

[mamawanabe]

when my dhand I bought a car we, we used my savings. Nonethless, the car guy had to put my dh's name in first because under the marriage, two-name on lease catagory, the dh's name HAS to go first.

screwed up.

[melinoz]

That is so frustrating. I feel like explaining that I made the choice to stay at home - which is totally different from being "unemployed"
I'm with you on the forms and such - it's always sort of a weird moment and it really shouldn't be.

[mommyblueyes]

I feel for you, it is so frustrating! I've never actually had someone call me unemployed, but I'm usually referred to as "not working" which is so FAR from the truth. I work more now than I ever did before house/marriage/children/dogs!! :lol

I get a lot of family and freinds making comments though, like "I could never stay home and do nothing like you do" Nice!

What do they know though eh?

[francesca'smom]

When people ask me "you're still not working, right?" I just say "well not for pay!" and then everyone has a little laugh. :eyesroll