Couch Tomato Posted May 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 Job high: The big boss that I've bitched so much about was just fired and escorted from the building. Wheeeee! BWAH! YAY! JMH... I was doing good for a while..getting my45 hours in.. last week only 30. Of course going to Vegas and then not really working Sunday except for those 2 hours stuck in the airport didn't help. I have an interview today but I'm sitting here thinking about cancelling it. I jst don't feel it's really for me - I can do it - but doubt I'll be happy starting with the fact that I probably have to dress up for the job...meaning I'd have to buy a whole new wardrobe. Too corporate. Love my university job -- and our big event that we've been planning is Thursday. So much work into something that lasts 3 hours! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ldyjocelyn Posted May 12, 2009 Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 Wow -- and WOOHOO! -- for luckiest1! My boss' boss' boss (V.P. of Academic Affairs) is leaving to take a presidency at another community college. He was VERY good friends with my boss' boss. This should be interesting... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmh123 Posted May 12, 2009 Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 Job high: The big boss that I've bitched so much about was just fired and escorted from the building. Wheeeee! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 Ldyj, maybe your boss' boss' boss will hire your boss' boss and take him/her away!! JMH... I was doing good for a while..getting my45 hours in.. last week only 30. Of course going to Vegas and then not really working Sunday except for those 2 hours stuck in the airport didn't help. I have an interview today but I'm sitting here thinking about cancelling it. I jst don't feel it's really for me - I can do it - but doubt I'll be happy starting with the fact that I probably have to dress up for the job...meaning I'd have to buy a whole new wardrobe. Too corporate. Love my university job -- and our big event that we've been planning is Thursday. So much work into something that lasts 3 hours! Today I absolutely have to complete a last-minute assignment, and I'm sure I will, but I wish I hadn't procrastinated last week. Thought I'd get more done at mom's this weekend, but that was wishful thinking. Glad you like the university job--I think you're smart to stick with things you love. You have the internet job and the university job, so you can afford to hold out awhile. The people I work for have launched their site, and are very excited about getting an article on Time.com. I have mixed feelings because there are still some major errors in areas I'm familiar with, and they don't seem to take me seriously when I present them with corrections (which they managed to figure a way to do without paying us for them). Why brag about hiring experts and then ignore their expertise? Duh. Also, there are many areas of the site that aren't complete yet, and it seems kind of dumb to set yourself up for people being disappointed like that--why not wait til its ready before launching the big PR? I guess there are idiots everywere. I haven't told anyone I know about the Time article because I'm embarrassed at the site. Anyway, here's the Time article, and the site link is in the article: What Do Other Religions Believe? I have two more big assignments from them after I finish the last-minute stuff. I was stalling on those because I heard they ran out of money, and because they reduced the pay for the assignments yet again, but they e-mailed that they got another infusion of cash and I need the money so I guess I'd better get my ass in gear. LOL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couch Tomato Posted May 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 heee...girl I know about working for a company with no money. And I was doing payroll. I would tell people to run tothe bank where the checks were drawn cuz I knew if they deposited the money in their own account there might be no money left in the days it took the money to clear. I'm sure I complained about it in this thread somewhere Hey, as long as you tell them.. you're doing the right thing. It's their problem if they choose not to listen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couch Tomato Posted July 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 1, 2009 Hey All..I had a great interview today. I hope I get it... but I have the feeling I was FIRST of many. But I can just tell it went well so I'm at least in the mix. I haven't really been looking for a new job for the past few months but am now revving it up. I'm sick of paying my $423 cobra payment. It's freaking killing me. LOL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmh123 Posted July 1, 2009 Report Share Posted July 1, 2009 Good luck couchie!! The people I've been working for ran out of money, but they want me to do the work anyway and they'll pay when they can. Dunno about that. They already owe me $1500. I've been reading some ads and have applied to a couple of jobs just to see how it goes, but the job market is pretty discouraging, especially when you're my age. Yeah, COBRA sucks. But if it runs out and you start shopping for individual health insurance, that will really blow your mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbmifan Posted July 2, 2009 Report Share Posted July 2, 2009 I know how you guys feel about paying for health insurance. My husband was forced to retire in December then the company informed everyone that starting the 1st of April we had to pay our own insurance. Ours comes to around $1000 a month for the two of us. I have picked up extra time at work so some weeks I am working full time. I had been what was called occassional for the last 30 years and worked up to April about 24 hours a week(we do twelve hour days). Now I am trying to get in three days a week, which is full time hours. Some weeks I am able because of our census, other times I get called off. If I can pick up some extra time it will at least help with the insurance. Now my husband company is talking about dropping their pensions and letting the government take over. That will drop our pension considerably. My husband worked for that company for 38 years. I can not pick up full time with benefits because there are no positons open. If one does become open I have the senority. I also have been there 37 years. I never thought that I would be working this much at this age, and I do not like it. Twelve hour shifts are hard on the legs!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmh123 Posted July 3, 2009 Report Share Posted July 3, 2009 It's hard to find yourselves in this position at our age, but I sure hope something unexpected and wonderful happens for you guys, gbmifan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couch Tomato Posted July 4, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 4, 2009 I got a call back for interview number 2!! yay. GBmifan-- OUCH. I can't believe the cost of health insurance. And I did look into getting a private plan but nothing came close to the benefit. Yes I can find something cheaper but the co-pay would be ridiculous. Hugs to you. I imagine I will be working a lot of years myself. But at least I know it. It's a damn shame when companies don't live up to their promises. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ldyjocelyn Posted July 4, 2009 Report Share Posted July 4, 2009 YAY couchie! And {{{{{{hugs}}}}} to all struggling with health insurance woes. I wish I could personally help you.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couch Tomato Posted July 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 9, 2009 I'm still in the mix guys. My second interview went WELL! And today they called me for references. So I made the final cut but I think here are 3 of us left. Keep your fingers crossed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FearofH2O Posted July 9, 2009 Report Share Posted July 9, 2009 :14: Fingers crossed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmh123 Posted July 10, 2009 Report Share Posted July 10, 2009 YAY couchie! Fingers and toes crossed for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luckiest1 Posted July 10, 2009 Report Share Posted July 10, 2009 Wheee couchie! I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you as well. I can't believe the cost of insurance that you guys are paying! We are lucky to have our provincial health plan here for basic services (doctor's appts, emerg hospital visits, etc), and then I am lucky enough to have benefits at work that end up costing me about $55 a month (only because I opt for the premium family plan for both health and dental). But we take full advantage of them for prescriptions, chiropractor and dentist, and thankfully they allow my kids to be covered up to age 25 if they are full time students. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couch Tomato Posted July 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 10, 2009 I need to move to Canada!! It's crazy here. I dont' even care about salary anymore. I just care about benefits -- retirement, medical etc. And this place will have that in spades. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlett Posted July 11, 2009 Report Share Posted July 11, 2009 Yay, couchie!!! Sending lots of good thoughts your way... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couch Tomato Posted July 11, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 11, 2009 I was so hoping to hear something today. Sigh. Guess I'll do my regular job search this weekend. ETA: Who says coming in second is great! It totally sucks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FromClaygary Posted July 27, 2009 Report Share Posted July 27, 2009 I've been kind of reading along here from time to time and empathizing, but with working didn't have much time to comment... Now it's my turn....and I guess, as I'm all alone in the thread....I'm all alone. But here goes. I lost my job on Tuesday last week. Very unexpectedly, and unfairly I think. But, it is what it is. Onward. I have received an offer of severance, which I have to respond to by tomorrow. I've done a fair amount of research online over the last few days, but as the amount of severance "varies with the circumstance" it's really difficult to determine whether the amount offered is fair, not fair, what.... I would kind of like to get a legal opinion, but that looks like costing me mega-bucks and if I'm going to need the money, I'm hesitant to spend it on something that may turn out to be a "you got a fair offer" response and then I'm out $375 for an hour of nothing. (Yes, $375) What to do, what to do. I'm 63 years old and have been earning a good salary, with excellent benefits, and that's going to be extremely tough to match. I can't afford to retire, as I've been a single parent most of my life and there was very little opportunity for any savings. I can't do much just yet, as my company hasn't even issued me a Record of Employment....and I don't know if I'm getting a paycheque on payday (I should be getting my final pay then). I'm not sure how to address the termination positively in looking for new work.... Bottom line....I'm not very positive right now (yah, that's the understatement of the year, huh?). Plan of action right now? See if I can find something part-time that will give me SOME money to stretch the severance, but still allow me to job hunt. Possibly stop eating so I can pay my mortgage . Redo my resumes. Needed to rant.....thanks for listening! Even if you scrolled, I'll pretend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FearofH2O Posted July 27, 2009 Report Share Posted July 27, 2009 My husband was in the same situation about five years ago. He could either retire with six months severance or be fired with unemployment benefits. The retired choice came with several handtying restrictions such as no law suits (worded better than this), no competing etc. If he was retired his stock options would expire. Didn't matter as they proved worthless over time. Fortunately he is a big saver and I was still working so we avoided the cash crunch . But even so it was a fiscal shock. They of course hired someone younger and at a lower pay rate to take his job but since he had signed the agreement he couldn't sue for age discrimination. Which I think is difficult to prove anyway in the US. I'm so sorry for you as you seemed to be such a hard worker. I hope you can find something. You are so incredibly talented with crafts perhaps you can use these talents for a more enjoyable job. Can you get governmental retirement benefits at your age? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ldyjocelyn Posted July 27, 2009 Report Share Posted July 27, 2009 {{{{{{{FromClaygary}}}}}}}}} Are there any free (or low cost) legal service agencies that could help you go over the severance package deal? That would be my first option, if possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmh123 Posted July 27, 2009 Report Share Posted July 27, 2009 {{{From Claygary}}}, that sucks. I don't have any practical advice, but you have friends and lots of support here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FromClaygary Posted July 27, 2009 Report Share Posted July 27, 2009 My husband was in the same situation about five years ago. He could either retire with six months severance or be fired with unemployment benefits. The retired choice came with several handtying restrictions such as no law suits (worded better than this), no competing etc. If he was retired his stock options would expire. Didn't matter as they proved worthless over time. Fortunately he is a big saver and I was still working so we avoided the cash crunch . But even so it was a fiscal shock. They of course hired someone younger and at a lower pay rate to take his job but since he had signed the agreement he couldn't sue for age discrimination. Which I think is difficult to prove anyway in the US. I'm so sorry for you as you seemed to be such a hard worker. I hope you can find something. You are so incredibly talented with crafts perhaps you can use these talents for a more enjoyable job. Can you get governmental retirement benefits at your age? Yes, that's pretty much exactly what I got too....28 weeks, as long as I sign a document saying I will not sue, will not compete. And I suspect for much the same reason. When I accepted this transfer, HR insisted I be paid at the rate I was at at the time (which was higher than the job rate normally) and I've received increases all along. They will pay out my stocks (which they must, as they're in an RRSP=RIF in the US) but I don't know if that includes the company portion or just my contributions, which would cut it in half. The problem with 28 weeks, which I'm sure you experienced....is that they pay it out all at once, so you're taxed on that amount as if it was one paycheque...so you lose 2/3 of it to income tax. I'm on my own, of course, so entirely dependent on me....and yes, I can apply for Old Age pension, but it would come at a reduced rate. They prorate it depending on when you apply, and I'm not sure I want to impact the amount I would receive at 65, which would be little enough to manage on. {{{{{{{FromClaygary}}}}}}}}} Are there any free (or low cost) legal service agencies that could help you go over the severance package deal? That would be my first option, if possible. Unfortunately, I don't have that option as you qualify based on your last year's gross income from your tax return...which would put me RIGHT out of the ballpark. I've spoken to several legal firms this morning...but they are all SOOOO rude!! I'm just appalled. I wouldn't want to deal with them. You're basically not allowed to tell them anything but your name unless you pay, is what I've discovered. {{{From Claygary}}}, that sucks. I don't have any practical advice, but you have friends and lots of support here. Thanks so much for all the support!! I really, really appreciate it more than you can imagine. I don't want to bother my kids with this, and I'm not having fun just yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmh123 Posted July 27, 2009 Report Share Posted July 27, 2009 I was so hoping to hear something today. Sigh. Guess I'll do my regular job search this weekend. ETA: Who says coming in second is great! It totally sucks! Belatedly, bummer about this. I was hoping you'd hear something after all, but now that I see the ETA, I realize it wasn't good news. Hunting for jobs is HARD! Hang in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
00lsee Posted July 27, 2009 Report Share Posted July 27, 2009 Oh! I am so sorry for the job losses and disappointments, y'all! I have been up late just about every night looking at job postings (y'all have any super-duper job opening websites you like?) and I might get excited about this one or that one, only to realize the commute is, like, downtown...or I must speak Spanish...or the pay is positively abysmal...or I must be proficient in some software I've never used...or I must have a degree in something or other...or the hours would totally suck for my 'kid schedule'. It is discouraging, so I sympathize. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couch Tomato Posted July 27, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 27, 2009 FromClaygary... Well I deeply sympathize with your predicament. I'm so sorry. You have a lot of decisions to make -- good luck with everything. I wonder if they are letting you go only to hire someone cheaper..cuz yeah that would suck big time. I must look real stupid now - quitting a job I despised. If I had just left in June rather than letting them talk me into staying that extra 6 months. Seems the country went to hell in a handbasket in that next 6 months. I've never had a problem finding a job before..usually wasn't unemployed long enough to even collect unemployment insurance. And I can't get it now since I quit. I know I haven't looked constantly but still..I have sumitted at least 100 resumes and I'm just hearing a big fat nothing. Today I called a few agencies because I'm willing to take a temp job at this point. While I have this contract job it just isn't secure. I have no idea if or when I'll be dropped and everytime something goes a bit wrong I get stressed out -- like last week. So I'm just holding my breath and throwing everything into job searching. I've even expanded the parameters of my search. We'll see what happens! I'm sending good wishes to FromClaygary and all of us who are out there looking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.