So Much For Friday 13th Being My Lucky Day

[rogue]

I got called in to work early yesterday. They gave me the slip. I'm now unemployed.

After busting my ass for them and working all the overtime, the manager said my performance had been lacking the last few months. Too many little mistakes, but doesn't take into account all the changes she's put into effect in the last few months that's made it easy to make a mistake from the old way of doing things to the new. I spoke with the owner as well. She seems to think that I have personal problems, like my mom's recent death, cause my performance to be poor. It's true have had some big changes recently and I've tried to not bring them to work. Regardless, like a loss of a job will make them any better... Bleh... She wants me to come back in 90 days to talk to her. She's also giving me some sort of severence (sp?) pay. It upset me so bad I got the worst migraine headache I've ever had.

Firing seems to be a trend at work. I'm not the only one. They've been doing lots of firing the last few months, which was the reason for all the overtime I have been working.

Jobs have always been hard to find here. It's been worse lately. I have a little bit of money I had tucked away so I should be ok for a couple of weeks or so. I'll take what I can find first to keep from going into my savings. I'll work two jobs if I have to. It won't be the first time. I'll take what I can find until something better comes along. I do have a couple of places to check out in my field. I'm also going to a couple of employment agencies next week.

I'm going to take this weekend to try to take it easy and get some things done around the house that I've been slacking doing. I still have a few more boxes to unpacked and some arranging to do from the moving.

Wish me luck on getting a job or two in a hurry. I also need help with a resume if anyone's willing to help me. I haven't written a resume in years.

[Adeptus_Minor]

Damn hon... you already got my take on this.. but still.
See... this is why I just do my job and don't go above and beyond anymore.
When it comes down to it, we're all just numbers. :idk:

[MikeSP1]

Hope you find something quick. It sucks though, they use you, get every little scrap of work out of you, and then cut you loose like excess baggage.

[Ducati Diva]

I am so sorry to hear this!!! I hope you find something quick! Let us know if we can help in any way!!

[rogue]

I just got a heads up from one of my house mates. Chase is hiring not only at some of their branches, but at their customer service headquarters here too. I'm filling out an online application right now. I have her as a reference so maybe something will come out of it. :)

[njchopper87]

Sorry. :(

[tached1000rr]

Just curious but what type of work you looking for?

[Amorok]

Sorry Rogue. Those guys suck.

[tommymac]

That fookin sux, esp when you dont see it comming like that. Not sure if theres much I could do up here but LMK if yo uneed anything.

Tom

[Ninjakel]

aw man! I'm sorry Steph. :(

[buzzcutt2]

That sux...good luck on the job hunt.

[rogue]

Just curious but what type of work you looking for?

My current field is security. Not as in a security officer, but security and fire systems. I don't install because I'm not very good at it. But I have a decent knowledge base of different systems, basic troubleshooting (some with a manual, some not), the different programming, etc. Right now I'm a Level 1 Operator (there are only 2 levels, the second is reserved for those in management positions typically), which is a mandated license for central stations (not to be confused with monitoring centers....central stations are UL licensed for UL systems mainly dealing with large fire and security systems). I have enough knowledge to work at any security dealer and any monitoring place.

With the experience I have in security and monitoring, I have enough knowledge to work at 911 centers as well.

Tied in with that is several years of customer service. In the past I've worked for large corporations doing customer service, including UPS.

From the time I began working when I was 16, I've worked everything from fast food, Wal Mart, business offices, waitress, bars, and other manual labor. I'm not afraid of work or learning something new. There's not many jobs I haven't had, although I have a tendency of staying away from selling. I'm not a salesperson. I also stay away from collection agency jobs.

I'd be happy to find employment doing what I'm doing now. There's another central station in town I'll be applying at as soon as I can get a resume done. However anything to continue working without too much of a cut in pay (unless there's lotsa overtime) until something better comes along, I'll take it.

My housemate works at Chase Bank and is going to help me get my foot in the door there, whether it be at a branchh or at the call center they have here. But in the meantime, almost anything is better than nothing. As long as it's legal. :lol:

I'm going to be looking into state jobs too. The local charity hospital is almost always hiring for some type of paper pusher. I'm going to see about taking the civil service test for that hospital as well as for anything else I may be qualified to do.

Maybe a change in careers is in my future. Who knows? :D

[VatorMan]

I'd love to hire you as a System dispatcher. Right now our facility has separate Security, Fire, and M&E (mechanical/electrical) system dispatchers. I am trying to convince them a single dispatcher would be cost effective.

However, this is located near D.C. - not the cheapest place on earth. I'll let you know if I get this through.

[rogue]

I'd love to hire you as a System dispatcher. Right now our facility has separate Security, Fire, and M&E (mechanical/electrical) system dispatchers. I am trying to convince them a single dispatcher would be cost effective.

However, this is located near D.C. - not the cheapest place on earth. I'll let you know if I get this through.

If I didn't have young kids at home, I'd really be interested in this. With custody arrangements as they are (have 50/50 custody...2 weeks on/2 weeks off) it's not feasable for me to move at the moment. I'd be scared I'd lose having my kids. If it wasn't for them, I would have already left this godforsaken state.

[Amber Lamps]

If I didn't have young kids at home, I'd really be interested in this. With custody arrangements as they are (have 50/50 custody...2 weeks on/2 weeks off) it's not feasable for me to move at the moment. I'd be scared I'd lose having my kids. If it wasn't for them, I would have already left this godforsaken state.

Yea well he's right about DC being expensive!!! You have to make $15/hr to be considered poor there!

[rogue]

So, does anyone have any suggestions as what I should put as "reason for leaving" where it doesn't sound so horrible?

[VatorMan]

So, does anyone have any suggestions as what I should put as "reason for leaving" where it doesn't sound so horrible?

Lack of opportunity.

[Quick281]

Sorry to hear about this Rogue. :(

Good luck finding something new.

[Cutty72]

"laid off due to employee cutbacks"

that sucks, and I know the feeling. One day you think you are really secure in your job, and the next you are on the street looking.

Good luck with the hunt!

[rogue]

"laid off due to employee cutbacks"

that sucks, and I know the feeling. One day you think you are really secure in your job, and the next you are on the street looking.

Good luck with the hunt!

Good one! I put employee cutbacks. No mention of being fired or laid off. Let them come to their own conclusions at first.

I've already placed a couple of applications online. Now to work on my resume so I can get a few more in.

I'm trying really hard to stay optimistic. This is a huge blow to me. I've never been fired. Ok, once...when I told my ex father in law to fuck off, but that was different. :lol:

[the chi]

So, does anyone have any suggestions as what I should put as "reason for leaving" where it doesn't sound so horrible?

Damn Hun, sorry to hear! I'd put either employee or economic cutbacks...good luck!

[derf]

So, does anyone have any suggestions as what I should put as "reason for leaving" where it doesn't sound so horrible?


"I wigged the fuck out on them"

[azoomm]

Bummer Steph! So sorry. Good luck on finding something new.
Sidenote... Is LA an at will employment state? If they have you a reason for letting you go, and that reason does not have merit, you can sue them :wink:

[rogue]

Damn Hun, sorry to hear! I'd put either employee or economic cutbacks...good luck!

I put employee cutbacks. I have no clue what they put on my pink slip. I should be getting that in the mail in the next few days.

I'm wondering if I can get unemployment? :scratch:

[rogue]

Bummer Steph! So sorry. Good luck on finding something new.
Sidenote... Is LA an at will employment state? If they have you a reason for letting you go, and that reason does not have merit, you can sue them :wink:

LA is an at will state. I don't know about suing though. That's not going to bring me money now. And with the US being such a sue happy place, I'd rather just stay out of it, if possible.

[azoomm]

LA is an at will state. I don't know about suing though. That's not going to bring me money now. And with the US being such a sue happy place, I'd rather just stay out of it, if possible.

You should be able to at least get Unemployment. That is, unless the reason they give as firing you was some reason that was detrimental to a customer or theft. Go file - the worst thing that happens is you have to fight for the money.

[SoFlaSV]

Good luck, being unemployed sucks big time.

[OTB]

I'm wondering if I can get unemployment? :scratch:

Did you have prior written notice that your performance was substandard? Did you have any verbal conversations regarding your performance that they told you would be documented in your file? If not, you have grounds to argue "lack of cause". Check and see what the stated cause of action is on your separation papers; if there were no prior warnings, verbal or written, and your employer canned you, I would simply tell both prospective employers and the UI office that you were laid off. You will then most likely be denied UI benefits and have to appeal. Your employer will then have to show just cause for termination; doing so without prior notice usually (unless you've been caught drinking on the job or other gross misfeasance) means that benefits will be granted.

[Homeslice]

I'm sorry :sorry:

Being this is a small business, I bet they actually didn't have any problem with your performance, but are trying to say you were fired to make it harder for you to claim unemployment from them. I know a lot of small businesses pull that shit.

[ZUKIMON]

That sux balls. I really hate to hear it girl, but just keep this in mind......They didn't get rid of you because of something you did. This is not your fault and you are a good employee (I know, I don't know you that well, but I'm sure that you are.). They are simply getting rid of who they think won't make the biggest stink about it so they can try to save some money right now with the economy being in a stink hole. Don't let it get you down and out. Stay on here and we'll keep you company. ;) I know that doesn't pay the bills but it sure does keep morale up. :)

[rogue]

That sux balls. I really hate to hear it girl, but just keep this in mind......They didn't get rid of you because of something you did. This is not your fault and you are a good employee (I know, I don't know you that well, but I'm sure that you are.). They are simply getting rid of who they think won't make the biggest stink about it so they can try to save some money right now with the economy being in a stink hole. Don't let it get you down and out. Stay on here and we'll keep you company. ;) I know that doesn't pay the bills but it sure does keep morale up. :)

That very well could have been. From what little I've been able to find out and how a couple of people are acting toward me, I think I've been a victim off office politics. Until I found out for sure, I'm keeping it to myself. No sense in saying something that may not be true. I have my suspicions now. If I had kissed ass like someone else did, I would still have a job. It's very seldom I kiss ass and when I do, I have standards (see sig). ;)

I'll be hanging out here at least until Tuesday when I go job hunting. No sense in trying when tomorrow's a holiday and a couple of places I need to go are closed. I'm not wasting gas.

However, if anyone wants to help me with my resume, I'd appreciate it! :D I have a basic one made, with no objectives. It's pretty straight forward with no pretty words or flowery phrases. It could use a little help in order to catch the eye of my next victim. :D

[JoJoYZF]

However, if anyone wants to help me with my resume, I'd appreciate it! :D I have a basic one made, with no objectives. It's pretty straight forward with no pretty words or flowery phrases. It could use a little help in order to catch the eye of my next victim. :D

See PM

[Particle Man]

sorry to hear this. :(

sounds like they were downsizing and were looking for some kind of excuse.

[G-Rex]

That sucks Steph.

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned it yet, but I think it's a combination of a couple of things possibly.

They were trying to cut back on staff, including the higher paid ones. Combine that with the fact that you were making a case for them to pay you more for off-shift work, and I think you have your reason staring you in the face.

You were the squeaky wheel. This was their *grease*.

[rogue]

That could have been part of it too. Who knows. :idk:

Right now I'm trying to get my resume to look more professional as well as applying to take the civil service test. The local charity hospital is hiring so I need to take a couple of the civil service exams. Both are basically for admissions. One looks like it's for basic admissions, the other for ER. I'd like to do ER....not only does it pay a little more but it's a little more exciting. :D

My aunt retired from this hospital and I have a couple of friends who work there too. I know the starting pay kinda sucks but the state benefits are awesome and pay raises are regular. I'm really hoping I can get everything together in time for the deadline. It would be an almost perfect job for me if I can get on there! :D

Wish me luck! Even if I don't make it to this deadline, I can still get everything together for the next time they hire or some other state agency position I'm qualified for.

[Particle Man]

That could have been part of it too. Who knows. :idk:

Right now I'm trying to get my resume to look more professional as well as applying to take the civil service test. The local charity hospital is hiring so I need to take a couple of the civil service exams. Both are basically for admissions. One looks like it's for basic admissions, the other for ER. I'd like to do ER....not only does it pay a little more but it's a little more exciting. :D

My aunt retired from this hospital and I have a couple of friends who work there too. I know the starting pay kinda sucks but the state benefits are awesome and pay raises are regular. I'm really hoping I can get everything together in time for the deadline. It would be an almost perfect job for me if I can get on there! :D

Wish me luck! Even if I don't make it to this deadline, I can still get everything together for the next time they hire or some other state agency position I'm qualified for.

Good Luck!

[njchopper87]

I hope the best for you. I'm looking into working at a hospital too. Granted, it's nothing special seeing as I meet no qualifications for anything of interest.

[rogue]

I hope the best for you. I'm looking into working at a hospital too. Granted, it's nothing special seeing as I meet no qualifications for anything of interest.

If you have any clerical experience at all, that would get your foot in the door.

My aunt has been telling me for years to take the civil service and try to get on at this hospital. I had been looking into it off and on but the testing dates were always months away and it always slipped my mind. Doh! Then when I married my second husband I worked for his family in security and had no need to look into it as I was learning and working another trade. When we divorced, I briefly looked into it again, however, I found another job in my field fairly quickly.

Now that I'm unemployed again, I'm trying to get everything together. Looks like they're doing the testing in the next couple of weeks so if I hurry (they just updated their website today), I'll be able to take the test and hopefully have a job soon. :D

There are other jobs you can do besides clerical at a hospital and there's alot of hospitals that if you can just get your foot in the door, they'll train you in other areas. I know a guy who is working at another hospital in their kitchen and taking classes for a medical field...xray tech assistant, I think is what he's doing. It doesn't hurt to look if you're really interested. And don't look at their websites. Go up to the hospital and find their job posting board. You never know what you may find you can do. :dthumb:

['73 H1 Triple]

Good luck :cheers: I hope you find something quickly with decent start pay ( and good benefits )

I hope the best for you. I'm looking into working at a hospital too. Granted, it's nothing special seeing as I meet no qualifications for anything of interest.

My wife works at the local hospital. Her "foot in the door" was taking a job in housekeeping. After six months, she transferred to in hospital transport.

She awaiting a position as aide to be posted within the next week.

The benefits are very good and less expaensive than mine at work. I dropped mine and am on my wife's plan.

Get something to get in and you can always transfer later.

Jeff

[rogue]

Good luck :cheers: I hope you find something quickly with decent start pay ( and good benefits )



My wife works at the local hospital. Her "foot in the door" was taking a job in housekeeping. After six months, she transferred to in hospital transport.

She awaiting a position as aide to be posted within the next week.

The benefits are very good and less expaensive than mine at work. I dropped mine and am on my wife's plan.

Get something to get in and you can always transfer later.

Jeff


That's awesome! I've heard a few stories like this! Nice to know that it still works! :dthumb:

[Papa_Complex]

Man, that sucks. I've only been out on the street when the company moved, or went bankrupt out from under me.

With that "call back in 90 days" thing it soulds like they'll be putting lay-off on your notice, rather than terminated. The kind of thing that you mentioned makes me think that the company may be on the rocks. If people are working overtime because of firings and lay-offs, then there's no client fall-off. There's something else big going on, or so my bankruptcy RADAR says.

[Amber Lamps]

Man, that sucks. I've only been out on the street when the company moved, or went bankrupt out from under me.

With that "call back in 90 days" thing it soulds like they'll be putting lay-off on your notice, rather than terminated. The kind of thing that you mentioned makes me think that the company may be on the rocks. If people are working overtime because of firings and lay-offs, then there's no client fall-off. There's something else big going on, or so my bankruptcy RADAR says.

Yea I didn't want to say anything but that's my feeling too. I've gone through 4 companies going out of business now. Including the company I work for now,luckily we got bought out and it looks like the new owner is keeping everyone on.

[rogue]

Man, that sucks. I've only been out on the street when the company moved, or went bankrupt out from under me.

With that "call back in 90 days" thing it soulds like they'll be putting lay-off on your notice, rather than terminated. The kind of thing that you mentioned makes me think that the company may be on the rocks. If people are working overtime because of firings and lay-offs, then there's no client fall-off. There's something else big going on, or so my bankruptcy RADAR says.

That's a damn good possibility as well. The owners hired a new manager about 6 months ago that implimented ALOT of changes, including hiring through an employment agency (isn't that more expensive doing the hiring process yourself?) as well as stupid stuff like lockers that were totally unnecessary, making a department that was not necessarily needed as the company had been doing well without it. Making a dealer services department also meant that some of the duties assigned to us were taken away. Which means alot of us were unbeadened of some overload, but it left others without much to do....like the shift I worked. I have begged for months for them to allow my shift to do some data entry or cleaning up of old data, research, etc since the shift isn't busy, yet she wouldn't allow it.

Personally, I really love the owners of the place. They've been really good to me. In return I've been a faithful employee, always willing to go above and beyond. Whatever they asked of me, I did...no questions asked. And then I'd do even more. But since the hiring of the new manager, it's been different. I know that change of management is always a difficult time and I was trying to roll with the punches. There's alot of things she's done that's been good for the company. Yet there's other things that make me scratch my head and wonder what the fuck was she thinking. In the end, I know the owners had to approve of each change she made. They are truly great people. I'd honestly hate to see them get in a bind or go under because of some of the ideas and changes the new manager has done. To make it worse, until she started working there, she did not have any experience in this field at all, although she's managed and with success, large call centers before. That's why they hired her. But I think too much too quickly may be their downfall.

I hope not. :(

[Papa_Complex]

That's a damn good possibility as well. The owners hired a new manager about 6 months ago that implimented ALOT of changes, including hiring through an employment agency (isn't that more expensive doing the hiring process yourself?) as well as stupid stuff like lockers that were totally unnecessary, making a department that was not necessarily needed as the company had been doing well without it. Making a dealer services department also meant that some of the duties assigned to us were taken away. Which means alot of us were unbeadened of some overload, but it left others without much to do....like the shift I worked. I have begged for months for them to allow my shift to do some data entry or cleaning up of old data, research, etc since the shift isn't busy, yet she wouldn't allow it.

Personally, I really love the owners of the place. They've been really good to me. In return I've been a faithful employee, always willing to go above and beyond. Whatever they asked of me, I did...no questions asked. And then I'd do even more. But since the hiring of the new manager, it's been different. I know that change of management is always a difficult time and I was trying to roll with the punches. There's alot of things she's done that's been good for the company. Yet there's other things that make me scratch my head and wonder what the fuck was she thinking. In the end, I know the owners had to approve of each change she made. They are truly great people. I'd honestly hate to see them get in a bind or go under because of some of the ideas and changes the new manager has done. To make it worse, until she started working there, she did not have any experience in this field at all, although she's managed and with success, large call centers before. That's why they hired her. But I think too much too quickly may be their downfall.

I hope not. :(

Sounds a lot like what happened at one of the companies that went bankrupt out from under me. The president of the company brought in a manager for the production side of the operation. He used to be in the auto industry and tried to run a computer manufacturer in the same way.

First thing that he did was to eliminate my quality control function. I was the only one who was double checking the assemblers' work. Next he started slapping testing certification tags on everything, without safety testing. If they hadn't gone bankrupt I'd have had their certs pulled for that but I didn't find out until I spoke to some of the guys who did overtime shifts, later on. Finally he started stripping parts out of systems that were returned for repair, so that he could fill new orders. It wasn't long after that, that the whole place went down the toilet; maybe two weeks.