Just saved up a nice Emergency Fund .. and then...

[southernbelle]

Sorry about the job loss PaK. Things will get better. I didn't think I was marketable after owning my own non-degree related business for almost 8 years and when I needed it, I was able to find a decent job working in State Government. Granted, this job is in a oil and gas related field and when the drilling frenzy ends, I'll probably be searching for another job myself, but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.

Doors will open up for you. Just be open to relocating if you have to and if it's feasable. You'll be surprised how marketable your background in IT is. On the bright side, you have an Emergency Fund (congrats by the way on being able to save). Good luck and keep us posted.

[FreshLikeADaisy]

Hey Pa, I have 14 years in IT and I have to say... DisneyGirl and Southernbelle are right. There is a place that is looking for just your [outdated to the rest of the world but indispensable to them ] skills, you just have to find them. You'll find your niche. In the meantime, go ahead and get a copy of that newer software (try to get a freebie from someone you know, if possible!) and use your free time to become proficient. Get the books and do the exercises. When you are asked what software you have used on the job, well, you've used lots. Here's a list. Unless they pin you to a wall (and they might, but hey, it's worth a try) you can generalize it to some degree and try to steer them toward proficiency questions as opposed to specific experience questions. I'm not saying lie, I'm saying generalize. And don't rule out volunteer jobs for hospitals, schools, etc as long as you don't have to drive too far for them -- that has led to some sweet jobs for some people I know, and it's resume fodder in the meantime, too.

I wish you all the best and every success!!!

[bmcmull]

Sart some kind of church and scream anti american speaches to the disinfranchised people in you area, get millions of dollars from the government you will be bashing in federal grants, go on Larry King and announce your retirement to a posh gated community in the suburbs, and live happily ever after. If that doesnt work out the good news is we are moving twoards a socialist government that will take care of everyone the same way at the expense of middle class america. stay positive friend help is on the way......../

[jason0618]

Don't feel too awful bad. I got sick about three weeks ago, to the tune of a weeks stay in the hospital, a free ambulance ride, AND a probably would have been fun under other circumstances helicopter ride... All of this happened on a weekend while I was out of state visiting a friend... Called work when I woke up a couple of days later, and explained the situation, all was well. Got discharged from the hospital, with orders to not return to work for 2 weeks (that'd be today) which I promptly brought to work for my file. Turns out, I took too long to call my employer and let them knows I'd be missing work, and ended up missing two nights before I called... As a recap-- I was in the hospital, not conscious, and out of state... Luckily, I had my insurance card in my wallet, but didn't leave a note in there to "please call my employer if I am unconscious and unable to do so". Anyway, back to the point, I have no job now. After being there for over 4 years. In that 4 years, prior to this, I missed a grand total of 2 days, so I had WAY more than enough sick time... Pissed me off greatly.

[Flamingo]

Don't feel too awful bad. I got sick about three weeks ago, to the tune of a weeks stay in the hospital, a free ambulance ride, AND a probably would have been fun under other circumstances helicopter ride... All of this happened on a weekend while I was out of state visiting a friend... Called work when I woke up a couple of days later, and explained the situation, all was well. Got discharged from the hospital, with orders to not return to work for 2 weeks (that'd be today) which I promptly brought to work for my file. Turns out, I took too long to call my employer and let them knows I'd be missing work, and ended up missing two nights before I called... As a recap-- I was in the hospital, not conscious, and out of state... Luckily, I had my insurance card in my wallet, but didn't leave a note in there to "please call my employer if I am unconscious and unable to do so". Anyway, back to the point, I have no job now. After being there for over 4 years. In that 4 years, prior to this, I missed a grand total of 2 days, so I had WAY more than enough sick time... Pissed me off greatly.

That is bad - I would think you have recourse against your employer since you had a valid medical emergency and were fired due to that. Any family members or friends should have taken that upon themselves when they found out about this to contact your employer for you since you were unable to do so. I am surprised your employer would not be more understanding about the entire situation since you were a long-term, apparently valued employee. Stuff happens and if you have a valid reason, there should be no problem. It's not like you took off and just didn't care to notify anyone...

[FreshLikeADaisy]

Jason, I agree with Flamingo; in fact, I almost think that a simple letter from a respected employment attorney *alone* might get you your job back, if only because their actions were so egregious and would not be very defensible in court, especially if it came down to a matter of hours (or even less) between their cutoff for notification and your actual notification to them.

I suspect -- and I could be wrong, this is just a guess -- that your ex-employer is looking to cut staff without resorting to layoffs. This sort of bu11shi+ firing is one way to "boost" attrition rates, allowing them to move another employee into your department (not necessarily your job; it's usually budgeted by department) and leave a less critical position unfilled elsewhere in the organization.

My strong guess is that they figure you won't fight them and that's what made them feel so free to do this. But if you get an atty on this *right away* -- like THIS WEEK -- and don't let the situation get cold, you may very well end up being reinstated. Your chances of success diminish, though, with every day you wait. A good labor atty will paint a picture of what this will look like for them in court, and then suggest either reinstatement or settlement. Regardless of what they go for, either is better than what you have in your hand right now.

If you are physically able to act on this, and you would LIKE to get your job back, then I would encourage you to act quickly. Check out martindale.com for labor attorneys in your area who have been in practice for a long time and have a good rating; if they have some notable cases under their belt, that's even better. You may spend up to $300 on a consult... but if it gets you your job (esp. your benefits!!!) back, it's well worth every penny.

On the other hand, if you're just thrilled to be rid of them and would just as soon walk away, well, I understand that too. All too well.

Good luck!!!

[JRScott]

Dang Jason I hate to hear of your woes as well , I agree this seems very bad for the company involved. It might be worth your effort to see an employment attorney and discuss your options with them if you can't find work quickly. I hope you find something.

[justplaintired]

I am way behind on posts, I was whining about my fridge then I found your post. So sorry to hear about your job. I hope you'll find something soon. It's so rough for people anymore, seems I am always hearing about jobs being phased out, and people losing their jobs. I wish you luck and hang in there, things will be fine, it just might take sometime.

Good luck Pa

Jason you should talk to someone, an attorney, someone who can handle this for you. It is unimaginable to be that a company can fire someone for being unconscious. You would have medical records to show your condition. What an inhumane place to work and what horrible people to treat someone so badly!

[BigJohn]

I hate to say this, but it could be a lot worse. At least they let you know ahead of time what is going to happen. I remember one place I worked at, I put my gut into a new product. It took 6 months to finish the project. Finished the project on a Friday afternoon. I was told to come to the main office at 5:00 PM. They told me I was canned. Thet told me to clean out my desk. My supervisor stood and watched me clean out my desk and watched me leave. I went out and got into my new car I had just bought, on payments, that week. Bummer.

[PaKettle]

I haven't been around here for awhile. Been busy with life.

Still have my job, they are kinda sorta saying they might have some work for me after this month but I doubt it would be full time, so it's only a stop-gap measure if that, no guarantees of anything.

I don't even know if I can get Unemployment Comp. since technically my employer will probably still be offering me a day or two of work here and there... so I won't be UNemployed, only UNDERemployed... which really sucks because if I only work 2 days a week I'd make the same as if I worked zero and collected UI.

My wife is starting to look for work, and I am putting feelers out everywhere. I would like to get the UI which would give me enough time to take some training on new equipment without having to rush into a full-time job probably out of my field, that may not be to my liking, and pay half of what I am used to making, just to pay bills.

Well, time will tell. Thanks for all for your kind words and encouragement.