Welcome to the Not Working Nation FAQ. As you have questions, we’ll try to answer them here. We’ll start with these:
1. What’s the purpose of this website?
To give people a chance to talk about what their lives are like in the ranks of the unemployed. (See our “About” section for more information.)
2. Will you pay me if I fill out a survey or write an entry?
Sadly, no, contributing to this site is strictly voluntary. (Think of NPR’s story corps, for example.) If it makes you feel better, we don’t get paid, either. We would love to hear your unemployment tale. If you’d like to fill out a survey or write a blog post, we’d be very interested in seeing it!
3. Why do most of your entries use first names only?
We are glad to use people’s first and last names, however we allow the more anonymous option because we want to protect the privacy and honesty of our contributors. (In other words, it prevents your prospective boss from googling your name and finding a rant on unemployment.) But if you wanted to include a last name or email on the form just so we could reach you if we needed to, that would be great. Just tell us “here it is, don’t use it…”
4. I filled out a survey or wrote an essay. When will it appear?
It depends. Right now we’re trying to get surveys up within two to three weeks of submission, but we’re a small, volunteer operation. Publication will depend on how many surveys we get at one time.
5. What will you do with my e-mail if I provide it in a survey?
We will use it should we need to get back to you to clear up a question. If there are media inquiries, we might approach you to see if you’d be willing to talk to another media outlet, but we would never give anything away without your explicit permission and we would never print it on the site.
6. How can I help support this site?
You can help by
-contributing a story or filling out a survey.
- telling your friends to contribute or read.
- becoming a fan on Facebook. (Search “not working nation” in Facebook. Hit join.)
- and finally, you can help by clicking on one of the ads
7. You mentioned Studs Terkel’s book in your “about” section. Is this site affiliated with him?
No. This is an independent project and is not affiliated in any way with either Studs Terkel, who died in 2008, or with his foundation, which can be found on the web at http://www.studsterkel.org/. (We think he’s pretty cool, though.
8. Do you print everything that’s submitted?
We’re trying to paint a picture of life among the unemployed and we’re handing you the brush. That said, we reserve the right to withhold entries that we find crude, offensive, inappropriate, or off subject. (We’re glad to work with you to make your post not-working ready, however.)
9. Who are you and why are you doing this?
Site editor Madelyn Rosenberg worked in daily newspapers for more than a decade. She holds a master’s in creative writing and she continues to freelance. She’s doing this project because it seemed doable once her college roommate bought her a domain and explained and set up the finer technical points.
