Janie,
Keep a diary. If you get fired you can collect unemployment - I did it. But I had a diary and copies of emails showing a pattern of abuse and deception. Another time I quit and was able to get unemployment because again of documentation. For the record - I am not a proponent of milking the unemployment system but having paid the premiums and needing the money to survive, I used it. Other times I did not because I didn't need it.

For one year I worked in a for profit company (America Works - run far and run fast!). They offered "training for welfare mothers going (forced) to work". I discovered a sad truth which will no doubt raies an outcry but here goes: these women grew up in the welfare system and see it as a way of life not a stop gap temporary help. From childhood they were not taught the basic principles of succeeding in the work place - you must be dressed appropriately (business clothing was supplied); you must be on time EVERY DAY; you cannot shout at or physically attack a co-worker for any reason; you can not threaten a co-worker; your boyfriend is not welcome at your worksite; you cannot spit at customers...I could go on and on about issues that arose that simply baffled me.
I do not blame these women. Most were eager to work. But most had unrealistic ideas of what work is. All wanted to be receptionists and thought they would sit at a desk and read magazines and answer a phone occasionally. They could not understand that it was more important to have the price of a subway token than garishly decorated three inch finger nails that cost $50 per week to maintain. Do I sound bitter? I am. These were potentially brilliant young women who have been robbed of their ability to function and prosper in a society that desperately needs them.
The rare few that I was able to place in first rate jobs with futures quit. One decided to get pregnant again and called to ask how to get her welfare benefits back. She was managing a retail store in Manhattan. Another quit when a long time employee of the law firm where he worked was allowed to come in late because his wife was dying. My friend formerly living in a homeless shelter, shouted "Discrimination!" and threw away an opportunity to go to school to become a paralegal at the company's expense.
How do you explain to a young woman who had a temper tantrum and broke every mirror behind the counter and in the ladies and men's rooms that "No. They won't let you back even if you say you are sorry."? Or one who was late for work on Day 4 because her botfriend wanted sex and "Well I was on time for THREE DAYS!"
I am bitter about their situation. I am furious about the next two generations of children who are also lost. Yes - a few will rise above it and prosper. But that is not good enough. It starts with birth and early education. We have to have first rate day care to inspire the babies to excel. Instead we cut the funds for the most basic needs and stand back in disgust at those who bleed the system. We need the best in education to show our young people the opportunites that are there for them.
When my son graduated high school he came home beaming and informed me that he didn't have to go to work right away. He had applied for welfare. I was dumbstruck! But the fact was that all of the neighborhood kids whose family collected welfare had done the same. Some of these families were poor. But some owned multiple homes and businesses. All viewed welfare as a right and an acceptable form of income for an 18 year old with a high school education. At eighteen they should have been aching to start work or college or tech school not looking to postpone life with a welfare check.
Or am I missing something? My son said I was wrong and that I took work too seriously. Maybe he was right. And no - he did not get a welfare check.
Poverty will always exist. But the widespread waste of brainpower that enables poverty from generation to generation is not a given.