For years, relatively fewer unemployed Ohioans have qualified for unemployment compensation than their counterparts in other states. Ohio's tough earnings standard and disqualification of jobless workers who would be eligible for benefits elsewhere contribute to this dismal record. For instance, most states allow part-time workers who lose their jobs to seek similar part-time work and qualify for benefits, assuming they have earned enough and meet the other criteria. Ohio does not. Ohio's current requirement that workers average at least 222aweekforatleast20weeksoverayear′stimeisamongthemoststringentinthecountry.1Forinstance,itdisqualifiesthoseearningthisyear′sminimumwageof7.70 an hour and working 28 hours a week. A retail employee who has worked for years at such a job would be left without benefits if she or he was laid off