.
It's a really tricky question, I know, but definitely worth a poll..
.

It depends/No.

Damm, I missed the irony, again

I would lean towards a yes, but it depends on so many factors - the biggest of these probably being your own mental reaction to the situation of being unemployed.

Why would you screw yourself for a job?

The purpose of employment/compensation is that both parties (employer/employee) receive some benefit from the transaction. If it is costing me more to work a job than I am receiving in benefit(s), why would you do that?

Define "better off"...

I went for option 3.

"Better off" = "seeing that a net benefit accrues, rather than a net deficit, the benefit or deficit not necessarily being strictly financial in nature"

Because mentally you might feel better working than "doing nothing", even if it means a financial sacrifice (within certain limits of course) ?

In that case still option 3, followed by option 2. Obviously.

But, if I felt that way, I'd be "better off," with the job, not "better off" without the job?

Agreed - I posted my comment before seeing weejeem's definition of "better off".

My answer is "maybe." Adjust your poll to include this option plzkthanx.

The correct answer is: "only if it's a blow job". And that's independent of the definition of "better off"...

So, we're talking here of a job that pays less than if you're on benefits right?

Well, then the answer depends on your mental attitude and lifestyle and what other non-financial benefits you might get from taking the job. Like a foot in the door, contact with other human beings, doing a job you actually like!

If there is no benefit, financial or otherwise to you then why on earth would you want to do it?

But then again benefit or deficit are relative ...... hence the answer can be yes or no depending on the person who answers it...

A very good question - I'll simply refer you to this thread for the time being

Depends on the job.

For example I would consider being a pianist in a brothel even though I don't play the piano. I assume nobody would notice.

Yes IF,

If it is to get some experiences to put on my resumé, If it is to learn something that will be worthed for me in the long run.

Someone can take a cut on his job and position with the futur in mind. Sometimes it can be very worthed to go a bit backward to jump ahead stronger and faster.