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The Kitchen Table

Unemployed

15 years ago

I haven't been on the KT for a while as I was laid off last Friday & have been in shock ever since. I don't have a computer at home but will post occasionally when I get to the library. Your thoughts are always greatly appreciated. :-(

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Comments (21)

grammahony
15 years ago
Oh bummer Judy. Your in my thoughts. How horrible for you, right before the holiday. I did hear today the president signed an extention on unemployment benefits. I hope this helps you.
Leslie
alisande
15 years ago
Sorry to hear that, Judy! I hate to think how many people have told me the same thing lately. It's scary. :-(
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Oh, gdogni. I tried to make this short, but it can't be said in a few sound bites. Who was doing the jobs before the illegals came? They were being done. Have we been quick to buy the idea that Americans don't want to do these jobs because we, ourselves, wouldn't want to do them? Americans have done jobs for many years I wouldn't want to have to do. I would do anything I could do, if necessary, but I do have my 'druthers. I wish you could have talked with the young woman I just spent time with the other day. She was almost in tears because she was pretty sure she was going to loose her jobs because the company had just brought in a new group of illegals. She commuted 60 miles - one way - to work on the assembly line of a chicken processing plant. I've been just in the office of a processing plant and my stomach lurched from the smell. It's a job I don't want to have to do - but others have for many years. She said, in a shakey voice, 'I've just got to have this job.' The shocking thing she told me is, if this company lays someone off, not fired for reason, but laid off because of slowdowns, etc., they will only rehire you one time. That means you can be rehired, but if laid off again (because a batch of illegals come in) you are no longer 'qualified' to work for that company. By way of their hiring practices, they are creating 'unqualified' workers in the area. People know to not apply for the job again. So when the news media goes to the spokesman for that company he/she can say things like 'we just can't find qualified workers', or 'we just haven't had any applicants' or the old stand by 'no one wants to do these kinds of jobs'. Neither they nor the media are going to tell you they fixed the situation. When you see jobs being filled by illegals - the only thing that means is they have the job. It means absolutely nothing else. We don't know how many others applied for the job, and didn't get it. One thing you have to realize is that in many areas, people are aware that only illegals will be hired, and they don't even apply. I saw illegals building the houses that got built in the frenzy of the last few years. Can we assume that Americans no longer wanted to do carpentry, dry walling, electrical,plumbing, bricklaying?? I don't think so. I know a lot who wanted the jobs. They are a bargain to employers because the employers have no responsibility. They don't have to comply with overtime laws, collect and match taxes, worry about OSHA regulations, workman's comp. If one gets hurt, they are taken to the hospital and the taxpayers pay for it. The media and the politicians are not giving out the true story on this. Now the reason I mentioned illegals was the fact they are working here. Americans already are competing with them for jobs, and if things get bad, it will be even more so. There is nothing wrong with mowing lawns and bussing tables, but that is not the only jobs they are doing. We will be hampered by the fact employers will have to work within the labor laws when hiring Americans, so given the choice, they will take illegals. The illegals are also getting benefits that are going to be needed for American families who loose their jobs. Again, just because Americans aren't doing the jobs, don't assume they won't or don't want to - now - but especially in the future.
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I wish I had another job to go to. This was a good job, and I doubt I'll find something better, but it was a long drive, and too little money, and a boss who wanted me gone, so I guess even being broke would be better. I still have two paychecks coming, plus a small check once a month from Worker's Comp, so I should be fine for another month while I find something else, and sell everything I own! LOL Heck, I might even get a couple of roommates. At least I'd have someone to take care of the animals if I went on a trip. It gets sort of lonely here by myself sometimes. I'm a survivor. I made a vow to myself a long time ago, after being raised in an abusive family, marrying an abusive man, and having relationships with several verbally if not physically abusive men, that I would just REFUSE THE ABUSE, as Oprah says. I should start a website named that, for all people like me who are tired of being treated like crap.
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Adella Bedella
15 years ago
I'm sorry to hear that too. I hope you are able to find another job soon.
workoutlady
15 years ago
I am so sorry to hear that also. It is very scary - I do know that from experience in the past. I know it is hard to believe but I do believe that good things can come out of this. I'll keep praying you find that perfect job for you.
nodakgal
15 years ago
Gosh I am sorry. I know its awful!!!
One of my kids became unemployed. Was able to find a job but its only temporary and is ending soon.
((((Judy)))) I hope something comes along fast.
wifetojoeiii
15 years ago
Judy -

It is scary, I know - my daughter was laid off over the summer. She made the wise decision to go back to school & reinvent herself - she decided on teaching. Please use this as a way to point yourself in another, or more secure, direction & build skills & knowledge for the future. I am 47 yrs old & I am back in school - education is something that can never be taken away.

Good luck to you.
des_arc_ya_ya
15 years ago
((Judy)) Hope you find something great (and soon!)
patti43
15 years ago
I'm so sorry, Judy. Why, oh why, do they have to do that just before the holidays? Hope you can find something soon.
maryanntx
15 years ago
What awful timing. I also hope you find something else soon.
cbtexas
15 years ago
My dad got word he is losing his job the end of December. I asked him if he would get any severance pay and he said one months worth of salary. So he has to stay until the end to get the severence or forgo the severence and try to get another job now. The longer he waits, the more people are going to be looking it sounds like. It is a sad time in our economy. I pray for all those in down and out situations.
msmarion
15 years ago
Fingers crossed that you find something soon.
They just announched umemployment statistics here and it's very scary.
patches_02
15 years ago
Daughter and son in-law were both laid off in the last week. They were working in the rv business so they saw it coming.
tannatonk23_fl_z9a
15 years ago
I'm so sorry to hear that. Unfortunately I've heard it way too many times in the past few months. Be sure to get signed up for unemployment immediately as benefits are not retroactive (at least here in Florida). They don't start until the day you apply.

Wishing you the best! (((((Judy)))))

Betsy
Linda Wayman
15 years ago
((((((Judy ))))))) I'm very sorry.

Linda
judy_jay
Original Author
15 years ago
Thank you so much everyone for your kind thoughts & hugs. I can sure use them at this time. It'll be a holiday season I won't soon forget that's for sure. I've been laid off 3x in the past 4 yrs., if you can believe that. Also, to add to the sadness around our house, my parakeet had a stroke (didn't know birds could even have them...) & is at a bird hospital now. They said he has a 50/50 chance. I know it's not nearly as bad as a person, of course, but just another sad thing that happened at this time. I did file for both unemployment & social security (also Medicare for the other parts I didn't have). They gave no severance pay at my old workplace, just my last check & they said I had 3 days vacation that they paid me for. Yes, it's gonna be a lean Christmas at our house this year. Thank you again for being such good friends to me with your messages. I appreciate them sooo much. (((KT'ers)))
magic_arizona
15 years ago
We just layed off one of our employees last Monday. He had been with us for 5 years.

Believe me when I say it was one of the hardest things we have ever had to do and we didn't do it at this time of year because we wanted to. We simply had no choice. The economy is affecting everyone, especially small business.

We don't get a bailout.

Good luck to you Judy Jay.I don't know what kind of work you do but don't limit yourself to that particular field if you can help it. The more flexible you are, the better chance you will have.
User
15 years ago
If it makes you feel any better, Friday was my last day of work too! I was laid off due to budget cuts (or so they say...). I do have an advantage though, I don`t have to collect unemployment. Because of my hand injury, WCB is paying my wages which is a lot more than EI would be paying me.

I hope you find a job soon. I can`t look until my hand works better.
SadieSadie
15 years ago
Hugs to both Judy and Debby. That's such a shocking and rough time. I'll hope and pray things look up for both of you, very soon.

Judy, I'm also sorry about your parakeet. I hope he recovers fully, and comes home to keep you company. I've had both a parakeet and an Amazon parrot, so I know they're way more than "just birds." And you're right, the parakeet isn't a person, but he IS your beloved feather-baby!

Hugs,
SadieSadie
gneegirl
15 years ago
Judy - sorry to hear about your situation. Losing a job, especially at this time of year is so devastating. Folks are doing budgets around now, so I think this is why we see to much of it this time of the year. With the economy so bad right now, it probably started a lot earlier for some. Then too, some folks just don't have the sense to realize how much this impacts a life, and they don't look for ways to make things work so folks can keep their jobs.

I lost my job in September and I'm still looking. So far, I still have my sanity, but it's getting tricky now. I'm very marketable but it's still been tough getting hired. I can't believe some of the reasons for not hiring someone. Some have been looking for that perfect fit for months and still haven't hired. The recruiters I've spoken with are amazed as well. It's a full-time job, looking for a job, and it is expensive as well. Unemployment helps and I'm thankful for it, but it really needs to be increased vs, just extended. It really doesn't cover much. If something doesn't happen soon, not sure what I'll do - can't sell the house and car, and can't move because I don't have income to qualify for apt/room somewhere else. Hopefully I can hold on to the house for another month, at least.

Anyway, don't mean to hijack with my woes - I'm really OK cause I have faith that something will come around when I need it. I wish you well in your situation. Just keep at it. If you need down-time, take it. It gets pretty daunting if you don't.

Hugs to you!

gneegirl
kittiemom
15 years ago
So sorry to hear about all of you that have lost your jobs. Best wishes on finding something soon. My company is struggling & we've laid off a lot of people. That's why I decided to go ahead & start looking for something else.
kitttenn37096
15 years ago
(((((Judy))))) I am so sorry... I sure hope things get turned around soon and folks can get back to work....

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