Kaufman Alyssa Nepper, UW-Parkside Dennis Kaufman, professor and chair of the department of economics at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, said he thinks the concept that workers are turning down work because of the stimulus and increased unemployment benefits, is âmean-spiritedâ and impractical. âSome may have made more money by not working, but for how long?â Kaufman said. âItâs a short-term argument ⦠in light of the pandemic, it was better (for the government) to be more generous than less generous.â As more businesses reopen their doors and expand operations while the COVID-19 pandemic wanes, âHelp Wantedâ signs are cropping up like spring dandelions, with many employers saying they are finding it more difficult than ever to find workers.