Last month, I was laid off.
Begin Tangent:
I almost typed, fired because it packs so much more of a wallop than laid off, but I wasn’t. Fired that is. I’ve never been fired (never even had a formal talking to about my work performance, which frankly is a little surprising considering how much I love the Interweb and procrastinating) but I imagine it’d feel more than a bit like a break-up and that’s not something I handle very well. I know. You’re shocked.
End Tangent.
After I was laid off, I took twenty minutes to cry and a solid day to freak out, and then threw myself headlong into the activities associated with being jobless. I updated my resume, emailed, phone called, monster.com-ed, and filed for unemployment. It was probably the least amount of fun I’ve had in… well, ever. At least since that time Jen and I got lost trying to find our hotel in San Jose. Driving on unmarked Costa Rican roads and being jobless leave the same over-caffeinated feeling fluttering around in my chest. I’m just not cut out for it.
A week, maybe ten days later (before my unemployment packet arrived in the mail), I got an email from my employer indicating that I was un-laid off. Yeah, I know. Who does that? Dot-commers, that’s who. In the email, he explained that he’d been a bit hasty, and I was encouraged to take a vacation so that next month, I’d be ready to dig my heels in and get to work. Despite feeling resentful and uncertain about my job situation, I did just that. I booked a trip to New York. I tabled my search for a full-time job and instead, focused on working out the details of a really freaking awesome freelance gig (that I can’t – but have to – wait to tell you about).
Then yesterday, I was camped out on Sarah’s bed, checking email, when a message popped up from my boss. This one letting me know that my last day of employment will be August 31. Wait, what? I stared at the screen, confused. What happened to digging in my heels next month? The flutter in my chest started up again, equal measures furious and anxious.
“Arrgh!”
“What?” Sarah turned from her computer.
“I wish you could sue someone for being a dick,” I said, slamming my laptop closed. “There ought to be some sort of compensation for getting jerked around.”
“Then people would be able to sue you,” she said. “I mean, not you specifically, but…”
“No, that’s fine.” I said. “I’ve dicked over relatively few people in my life. I’d simply encourage them to sue me first, while I’m still penniless and unemployed.”
“Ah, good plan.”
So now, a month lost, I’m having to re-file for unemployment (the first time was enough to make me feel pretty crappy) and figure out what I want to do. Jump back into cubicle life? Temp? Freelance? And if freelancing is the answer, I’ve really got to get cracking on deciding whom I’m going to marry for health insurance.
Hmmm. I did once drunkenly volunteer to marry Mike J for the kitchen in his new townhouse. And he didn’t exactly say no…
Does your ex-boss dude suffer from brain atrophy or somethin???
What an a-hole! They should be cutting you a nice severance package for all that dicking around!
My day job is in HR. This experience you’ve had to endure makes me REALLY want to research your ****ty employer. How can they do this?
Ew. That’s awful. If there wasn’t a whole ‘don’t burn your bridges’ policy that tends to be helpful while unemployed, I’d totally write him a scathing letter and demand compensation for time lost on your job search. Actually, the second part might not be a bad idea. Can you do that?
Yeah, I have a similar story with my part-time employer. My job runs in stretches of 7-8 weeks, and we never know until the first week thereof whether we’re employed for that particular session or not (sucky to begin with, but there are reasons for it I can’t really argue with).
After sitting out one session when demand was low, my boss all but told me I’d get it the next time around, and, of course, I didn’t. This, at a point in time when I really needed the money.
Not nearly as dramatic since it is only part-time work, but still adding to the general point that flaky bosses suck.
Quick question:
(This is totally outta nowhere but I really need an honest opinion!)
If you had to choose between stayin with the love of your life and feelin like a complete pushover, what would you choose?
Man! Am I sad or what!!
Anita… I’m guessing fish would choose to be employed. Oh, wait, that wasn’t one of your options.
And yes, you are sad.
Oh Fish! I am sorry to hear you are being dicked around by this a-hole! That is soooooooo not cool!
That din’t come out quite right..
N I wasn’t just askin Fish..
*sigh*
“whom I’m going to marry for health insurance.” Love it!!
Anita, I would choose never, ever to be a push over so long as I live. I’ve made plenty of mistakes and being walked on is one I won’t repeat.
WHAT THE HELL?!? Grrrr. Sorry about this Fish.
Ug! I can’t believe that is something that can be done! Have you contacted the effer to see if there was some sort of mix up?
A million thanks for just answering that seriously.. not that I would act on it anytime soon, being in tht f-ed up place called love..
I cud’ve posted this on a help-me-save-my-self.esteem forum, but I thought people here were honest (even bout bein vulnerable at times), unlike the ones who pretend to be perpetually cool and smart and very-able-to-handle-heartache!
Oh, by the way, love your writing Fish!
Oh I’m so sorry! I say go for freelance then sue your previous employee for breach of promise and lost revenue!
Wow, that super sucks. At least call/email the previous boss and find out what changed his mind (again) and express your massive disappointment at losing headway in your job search. Ass-square should at least get a little guilt trip after his behavior!
Job hunting is the absolute worst itâs right up there with trying to find a pair of great fitting jeans, discouraging and never exactly what you want.
Oddly, I turned from your blog to Maclean’s magazine (www.macleans.ca), and saw on the cover “Your boss is an ass. But now you can sue.” Unfortunately it looks from the article like you may need a little more evidence. But I say go for it!
Ha! That’s awesome, Devon. I’ll look into that…
What an ass! How is that ok? I’m impressed that you haven’t published the name of the company that’s jerking you around… I know, I know, you should never badmouth an employer on the web and name them (blog rule #1), but SERIOUSLY. Unacceptable behavior in the worst sense.
So, did he basically make it so that you lost a month’s worth of unemployment?
I am so sorry. They owe you.
Your (former) boss certainly deserves all the antipathy and bile hurled at him here. But to address your question: I think freelancing can be a wonderful thing — if you get to be successful at it, that is. And what better incentive to try?
As for health insurance: I hear Cuba can be nice, especially if like to stay away from politics, as you do. (I’d have said Canada, but you don’t strike me as the type of person who’d enjoy igloos and having polar bears over for dinner, so that’s right out.)
What does Fish want to do job-wise? If you could pick it realisticly, what would that be? I think that freelancing sounds wonderful. I love your writing too. I just might have a girl crush. *blush*
That sounds so infuriating – I’m sorry to hear it! Hope the unemployment checks help you get by until you can find something wonderful for you. My sister (who was laid off the same day you were…originally) just called me yesterday to say she’d found a job – and one she likes better than her last one. Wishing you the same.
I would like to officially, publicly and seriously propose my hand to you in marriage. I realize you don’t date readers (for reasons you’ve already gone over) but here’s to hoping a “blind-marriage” isn’t out of the question…
I have excellent health insurance, a nice home, a stable income, (I’d like to believe) a modicum of charm and/or wit, and I have a chin. I’m also as hopelessly in love with you as anyone can be with a person they only know through blog posts and a few photos.
Alright, I realize that just sounds insane; and beautiful, witty, charming and incredibly interesting women don’t “blind-marry”…more’s the loss for me.
But that part about being hopelessly in love with you (or at least “blog-you”); that part’s totally true.
Fish, you should meet Mr. Oregon! He sounds nice and so is Portland.
Odd the way life tries to guide you at times. I’m thinking this freelance thing may lead to other things — really good things. You might as well leap while the unemployment’s coming in…
And consider Mr. Oregon’s proposal. “Beautiful, witty, charming and incredibly interesting.” Yes, do consider him.
Re: suing the guy. You haven’t given us much in the way of details, but from what you’ve said there was an offer, an acceptance, and reliance. . . Smells sue-able to me. Certainly nasty letter write-able. (But, then there’s also the question of getting a good reference, perhaps this guy has contacts . . . Just b/c one could sue doesn’t always mean that one should.)
If you temp/freelance, you’ll have to refile for unemployment each time you’re between jobs. Unless someone’s paying you under the table, that is. Being laid off sucks most of the time, but starting a new job can be quite exciting (and yes, I’ve been laid off before–3 times, and I’m the same age as you are, Fish).
As for health insurance,BCBS has an individual policy you can get for about $65 a month. It has a crazy-high deductible, but you can cancel the policy at any time without notice and it’s a basic PPO plan.
the right temp agency will also offer you health insurance.
Well, that sucks! And hey, you are being a copycat, I married my husband for his insurance, too.
Canada is amazing… I am probably biased since I live in Toronto, but what the heck. And honestly it’s not as cold as most would think, so no polar bears or igloos, at least not in Toronto.
As for it’s health insurance, it’s a godsend, but the wait times are excruciating. oh wait, I am getting into politics now. My apologies!
wishing you the best!
Wait, what?? There has got to be a typo in there somewhere. Maybe he meant to type “your last day of UNemployment”?
Jackass.
How about you move to Canadia and freelance up here?
Wait. . . I thought you said you had a “really freaking awesome freelance gig” already lined up.
Yup, sure did. And I do. But what has that got to do with getting a job? Like iVillage, this other gig isn’t full-time.
Sounds to me like your ex-boss turned boss but now former boss just used that ploy to delay unemployment payment. Happens all the time. I’d say sue his ass!!! =)
That is some bulllllll. Employees should really be able to sue for stuff like this. Or take some sort of legal action.
Bugger. What a blow. I think you should definitely write an angry letter to this guy – whether or not you send it is up to you.
dude.
i can’t even believe that they did that to you! yuck
Sorry Fish. I was made redundant three years ago and have been self employed ever since. Not always easy.
Having said that I was shocked with what american employers seem to be able to get away with….Writing from what is possibly a real workers haven here in the UK, what your employer did is completely illegal. To be laid off, he would have to to meet minimum legal requirements and go through due process to prove that your old job was now surplus to requirements, document this in writing, and then pay you redundancy (severance?) pay from an agreed date An e-mail contradicting his earlier letter would be case enough over here to say the first redundancy notice was unfair dismissal – and he would be sued – by industrial tribunual.
Good luck in the job search.
You can get independent insurance for not all that much. My brother has his at Anthem for $90 a month and I used to have something similiar with Anthem for $140 a month.
Good luck, I can’t believe they did that to you!!!!
And now- I wrote my first fashion column this week for my student newspaper, and I was wondering if (in your limited spare time) you would read over it and let me know what you think. Here it is: here
Thank ya!
That sounds awful. Plus further confirmation that we all need to have a well developed PLAN B.
I’m so sorry!! can he do that? well, he did, so i guess so. Heres’ hoping he mistyped?!
On the annoyingly optimistic side; one door closed, another one opens! youll be in my prayers.
Good luck with the new avenue, wherever that may be, and congrats on the new freelance gig!
Sorry to hear about the employment/unemployment flip-flop. Have you called to talk to him about it? I don’t know the labor/employment laws in New York. Texas is a “right to work” state. That means that the employer has the right to terminate your employment at any time without cause. Employers have all the rights and employees have very few except federal rights like COBRA continuance of insurance (that you pay for). Hopefully New York state law is better, but you would have to consult an attorney.
balls! arse! tit! wank! etc.
Argh! I’d be friggin pissed off too! It’s like one of those bad relationships where a person gets strung along. WTF.
I hope everything turns out well, most likely you’ll find an even better job!!
Actually suing might end up being more traumatic than it’s worth, but sometimes the mention of an attorney can grease the wheels.
… find a roommate and live off IVillage and the other part-time gig? who needs the stress of a full-time job – and the escapades with a roommate (advertise “The crazier the better”) would make for good blogging (possibly bringing an increase in salary from the blog due to high traffic?) but maybe i’m just a sucker for living with crazies
Keep writing Heather. Whatever happened to your book?
Heather, I was under the impression that this is precisely why they let people carry guns in Texas
Laid off. TWICE? How rude.
I’m sure the intentions were sincere, but the final reality was doubly wrong.
Does this mean I have to delete my Favorite Font in protest? And can I delete it twice?
You are smart and talented and I’m certain you will be surprised with an unexpected and infinitely better position in the near future. Relax and focus. I predict you will wind up better off before the end of the year.
So there. Good fortune awaits and you now have your own personal psychic. See, your luck is already changing….
B
Ack sorry to hear that. Maybe this will make you feel better – though you may have seen it already. A (fairly mainstream) newspaper in India talked about your writing!
here
I think your boss/ex boss is smokin the pipe.
Ughhhhh. What an ass. If you’re not interested in going through lawyers, etc., you can at least file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau… will ruffle fewer feathers in case you do want to count on a good recommendation, but it’s still taking some form of action… or maybe at least wait till after you have the recommendation in writing before doing the atty thing.
I just applied to all the temp agencies in town. How depressing. And I really need to go to the doctor, but I can’t without insurance. Something tells me, we’ll manage to land on our feet, hopefully in cute shoes.
That is absolutely SUCKY. Sorry to hear it H.
I think Barbara’s suggestion sounds solid. Assertive, gutsy yet not aggressive while letting your ex-boss know EXACTLY what you expect from him. You may or may not get what you want, but at the very least you’ll have records in case you do decide to sue down the line.
My opinion, which is really not important, is don’t let him get awy with it. Go back to what Barbara E wrote. I think he should not be permitted to do this so easily.
It sounds like you will be fine. You may find yourself in a much better situation. I hope that you do.
First: I am sorry you are going through this insanity! Some thoughts:
– Freelance; even proofread or copy edit. It is a well known job market here in NY for many “starving artists.” Sure Texas is the same. Pays a heck of lot more than temp. I have known several proofreaders who parlayed their well-paying downtime on these gigs into “two chapters & an outline”– and finally got their books written–and published!
–Barbara E. speaks wisdom.
–The letter you recieved clearly states that your employment ends August 31st. I think (and we all what opinions are like!) that you have a VERY strong case for at least getting paid FULL SALARY from your end of employment date in July all the way through August 31st,
He cannot qualify it; just as one cannot be a little bit pregnant. You were either employed by him or not. His letter implicitly states that you were still working for him — at least up until 8/31
You have a gift. Use it well in this time you have been given.
Ha! I’m freelancing right now and I’m currently seeking out potential husbands with good health insurance plans. (Actually I’ll be paying for my own insurance which isn’t as expensive as I thought it would be) So maybe you should consider freelancing. Sorry about what your ex-boss did to you by the way, WTF, really.
That is so unfair, good luck withthe health insurance.