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I lost my job...hello unemployment

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Posted 4/17/2009 1:17 AM (GMT 0)
So today I went to work as usual. I thought my day was going just fine....then I got hit by a bus...or so it seemed.

Last week my supervisor was on vacation, and another person was left in charge. On Tuesday she mentioned that people needed to leave early if it stayed slow like it was. I mentioned "I'd go home", which she replied "no, you can't leave, you're one of the closers" It wasn't an issue. I went back to working, then got really sick, nauseous and vomiting. I asked one of the girls there if they could stay an hour extra and close for me, and she said she could, and she didn't have any plans at all that night. I let the other tech know I would be leaving, and headed home, barf bag in hand.

Today my boss pulls me into her office, and I'm suspended for insubordination because they are saying that I asked to leave, was told no, then I waited until the "in charge" person left and decided to also leave. They say I should have stayed there until I called someone in charge to let them know. I guess I should have stayed and threw up while making phone calls.

This leaves me suspended without pay until human resources reviews things. They get to decide whether or not I have a job to come back to. I don't know how long this could take, days, a week? Basically I was told to go home and they would call me. I'm terrified of losing my job, and insurance, and the job market as it is will make it difficult to find a new job.

I appreciate everyone's support here, and I just needed to vent. cry
Posted 4/17/2009 2:50 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Becky,

I am so sorry to hear this. I hope that it is just a short suspension. And tht you still have your job to go back to. I don't think what you did was so bad, as long as there was somebody to close. But sometimes when people get a position of authority, they tend to go too far.

Best wishes to you and I hope that everything works out for the best.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 4/17/2009 2:50 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Becky,

I'm so sorry that happened to you!  The unfairness of the situation really makes me mad.  mad    I hope that the people who knew about your illness and covered for you will be questioned so that they can support the truth of the incident.  I'm not well-versed in corporate procedures, but I wonder if perhaps you should make an appointment with HR or write them a letter outlining the incident (or both)...?  I'm sure there are other members who can better advise on that, but that's what comes to my mind.  I hope you have a way of distracting & relaxing yourself tonight, so that you can get some rest.  Again, I'm so sorry.....you have my full support and compassion.  (((hugs)))

Posted 4/17/2009 5:06 AM (GMT 0)
Becky,
Is there any chance you have a doctor who could vouch for the fact that you were sick? It doesn't sound like it, but if per chance either you get nauseous on a regular basis & your doc sometimes treats you for that or if you called your doc b/c you were vomiting, getting a note from an MD would probably go a long way in convincing them to change their minds about terming you. If there's any way you could get a note from a doc & get it faxed or delivered to your HR department ASAP, I would suggest doing so.

In case that's not possible for you, I will say some extra prayers that everything works out. I'm definitely not faulting you if you didn't contact your doc. I doubt many people would, but it seems managers are so stressed out these days that the slightest infraction which might in better times be seen at most as grounds for a harsh talking to, is nowadays seen as an egregious, malicious action on the part of their employee and grounds for termination. Hopefully things will work out in your case.

As far as finding out a time line, if you're up for it, maybe call your HR rep & be very nice. Apologize for the mistake, explain that you weren't aware of the policy & promise that it will never happen again. Tell them some good things that you appreciate about the time you have worked for your boss & the company & express to them that you hope they will give you an opportunity to work this out. If you feel it's appropriate, maybe offer up a few of your achievements at the company, especially if you were recognized for any of them. Then, ask if there is anything that you can provide to help them with the decision making process. After they've given you their answer to that, ask when you might expect to hear from them regarding their decision (I rather doubt it will take them very long). I know that requires a LOT of humility. It may well be a silly rule, but stating that is only going to hasten their decision in favor of insubordination. By showing them that you can learn from your mistake (& it really does seem to be an honest mistake), make changes to align with corporate policies, focus on the positive and move on, you show yourself to be the kind of quality employee that an employer would typically want to keep. There are no guarantees in life, but I think the odds of keeping your job would be much better with an apology & a few kind words.

You can always come here to complain about the ridiculous rules at your workplace & we will support you as much as we can, but it sounds like you really want to keep your job, even if it means changing how you would handle this situation if it came up in the future, so I'm trying to offer you advice that could hopefully help you with that. Do make sure that if you can get a doctor's note, that you get that first & then make the phone call immediately after the note is delivered. Best of luck with everything!

take care,
frances
Posted 4/18/2009 9:02 AM (GMT 0)
hey becky, your employer sounds like they are very unkind people. i hope the issues are resolved soon, i understand the conundrum of loosing your job, thus i send you kind prayers and peace via the web. i hope you feel better soon, healings, jamie

Posted 4/22/2009 12:30 PM (GMT 0)
So it's now Wednesday, and I still haven't heard anything from HR or my supervisor. Waiting is driving me crazy. I can't sleep well, and when I lay in bed unable to sleep, my mind races with all the things that could happen. I've tried to keep busy, helping my sister clean her house, but I still come home, look around, and see all the things I worked hard for that I could lose. I'm so scared of what may come.

Please pray that I find out something soon so I can move on and deal with what is to come.
Posted 4/22/2009 2:17 PM (GMT 0)

Good Morning bar,

My heart goes out to you so please know that I am sending prayers your way for a good outcome and hopefully you will keep your job.  I know the waiting is so very hard.  I wish you peace and love.

Kitt

Posted 4/22/2009 2:40 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Becky,

I know how hard it is when things are weighing heavy on your mind. I am going through the same thing right now. It has made me really tired. I hope that you are able to keep your job. I am looking for one right now. The anxiety is terrible. Try to keep your mind busy and not worry. That is what I am TRYING to do.

Best wishes to you my friend,

Hugs, Karen
Posted 4/22/2009 3:49 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you all for your support. I really appreciate it.

Today I'm having a scar revision done, so after that and the next couple days, the pain medicine will keep my mind off everything!

I'll let you all know when I do hear something though!
Posted 4/22/2009 8:36 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Becky,
I'm sorry to hear about your situation. It is most unfortunate that you must deal with a boss that is so intolerant to the needs of others. I don't know if you are having work done that is related to why you got sick, but if it is then it is important for you to get that information to your HR department. Also I would call whoever you need to, in order to find out when you resume work. All you can do is take it one day at a time and be as proactive as possible. In some cases people say things and forget to follow up on them, if that is the case then you want to stay on top of this so that your company doesn't think that you quit, or think that you are unreliable.
I hope this helps,
-Mel
Posted 4/27/2009 7:28 PM (GMT 0)
Just to update you all...I dropped off a letter on Friday explaining everything that happened from my point of view. I asked that the person taking care of the case call me back when she received the letter. She called back and said that they had to "interview" a couple people today, and they should be calling me either today (which is unlikely given that it's 3:30 now) or tomorrow. So....I should know something soon!

I'll let you all know what's going on as soon as I know something.

Oh, and the scar revision was SO easy. They just numbed the area and restitched the area. I only hurt for the first 24 hours, and it was pretty mild pain compared to the original surgery! I'm looking forward to getting the steri-strips taken off on Wednesday...they itch so much!
Posted 4/27/2009 7:29 PM (GMT 0)
Becky,
keeping my fingers crossed for you & saying a prayer that you can somehow keep your job.

best wishes,
frances
Posted 4/27/2009 7:44 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Becky,

I'm so glad you provided your employer with a letter stating the facts. I hope you find out something soon. Like Frances said, I'm crossing my fingers and saying a prayer for you! Whatever happens, we're always here to support you.
Posted 4/30/2009 12:09 AM (GMT 0)
Becky.....I was just thinking about you and wondering how your situation is going. I hope you're doing well.
Posted 4/30/2009 6:26 PM (GMT 0)
Well, I officially lost my job today. I have so many things to do now...unemployment (I'll try, even though I don't think I'll get it), job searching, etc. It's all so overwhelming, but thanks to the HW community, I have support, and I'm so appreciative of that.

Trying to stay positive and think this is pushing me to be a better me.
Posted 4/30/2009 8:59 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Becky,

Why don't you think that you will get unemployment? If you worked grossing a certain amount (use to be 101.00 a week) for 21 weeks, you use to be eligible for unemployment. You didn't quit. So you should probably be eligible. I hope that you are. Just make sure they know that you have been able and avaliable for work. That is the most important thing.

Best wishes for you to have a wonderful day.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 4/30/2009 11:47 PM (GMT 0)

Becky, Karen is right. There should be no reason for you not to get unemployment.  You were let go from your job.  You did not leave willingly.  Even if they gave you severance pay that would have nothing to do with collecting unemployment.  So please do try.  At least it will be something to help cover bills.  I know it seems like it is hard as there are so many people applying, but you have to wait your turn and then fill out the forms and answer any questions.  That you could be fired for being sick is just unconscionable.  You might even have legal rights to retaining your job but I don't know how far you want to push it and you would have to find someone from legal aid to help you.  It's just a thought.  I will keep you in my prayers and hope that this process goes smoothly for you.  Be sure to take good care of yourself.  Do you have any family around for moral support? I hope so. At least you have all of us on HW.

Hugs,

Aurora

Posted 5/1/2009 1:32 AM (GMT 0)
Karen and Aurora

I was given the option of resigning or being fired for insubordination. Being fired for insubordination generally makes you uneligable for unemployment. I chose to resign so that any potential employers would not know what happened.

That being said, I am still going to give it a try with unemployment, I have heard that in some instances, even if you resigned, you may be eligible based on the situation. I figure I'll apply and if I'm denied, I'll try again, and then go from there. It can't help to try!

Aurora, yes I do have a very supportive family. If worse comes to worse, they will help as they can so that I can keep my home. I'm very thankful for that. I also have a few very close friends and boyfriend that have said they will do what they can to help. I am very fortunate in that regard, and consider myself very fortunate.
Posted 5/1/2009 5:07 AM (GMT 0)
Becky,

I am very sorry to read your news. I was so hoping that things would go differently, and you definitely have my sympathies. I agree with you about the unemployment benefits.....it's worth trying, and I applaud you for the strength that you are showing through all of this. I'm very glad to know that you have a good support network....that's so important at a time like this. You are in my prayers, and I do hope that things will improve for you.
Posted 5/2/2009 2:45 AM (GMT 0)
hello bar77, I'm sorry about the loss of your job. stuff like that does happen sometimes sounds to me that it's not your fault you could not help it and you had little choice, it's unfair how they treated you just makes me sad. don't loose hope, you will get through this good luck to you
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