Job Stresses, and trying to make a living

The ClubHouse: Archives: Job Stresses, and trying to make a living
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Archive through February 05, 2002 25   02/05 10:16am
Archive through February 11, 2002 25   02/11 12:02pm
Archive through February 19, 2002 25   02/19 02:51pm

Dahli

Tuesday, February 19, 2002 - 02:59 pm Click here to edit this post
Congrats from me too
Does it seem to anybody else that the positive energy here seems to bring out the best in people situations and job interviews...??

Oregonfire

Tuesday, February 19, 2002 - 04:59 pm Click here to edit this post
I did get e-mailed by one company for an interview today. I hope it wasn't stupid, but I went with my gut, e-mailed back, and said "thanks but no thanks." It was about 80 miles away, full time. I just don't have the cash or energy for another move, plus other things are coming together (online work). My goal now is to eventually go totally "online" workwise. That way, if I get a yen to move (or not), my work goes with me wherever I go, which partially solves my problem of wanting to be 10,000 places at once. Hooray internet!

Dahli

Tuesday, February 19, 2002 - 05:28 pm Click here to edit this post
I agree Oregon! I am lucky enough to work online and every day I give thanks for the internet! I don't think you were stupid at all - a woman's gut is seldom wrong

Oregonfire

Thursday, March 07, 2002 - 07:39 am Click here to edit this post
Today I'm shuffling up to the local state university to talk to the art dept. advisor. I've been accepted to their graphic design program, and will start in a scant few weeks. I'll also continue to teach a couple of English classes next term at a college 40 miles away, and will be in training next week for teaching English online. Things are going to be very hectic, but happily so.

Losing my job to budget cuts was the best thing that could've happened to me.They say the Chinese symbol for "crisis" is also the same one as for "opportunity." That sounds about right to me! :)

Twiggyish

Thursday, March 07, 2002 - 07:52 am Click here to edit this post
Good luck with everything! I also teach an online course. (Office 2000)
It is the best thing since the invention of the wheel..LOL
You can work from home and make your own hours with it.

Babyruth

Thursday, March 07, 2002 - 08:15 am Click here to edit this post
((((((((Oregonfire)))))))))
That's great! Congrats on your new ventures.
I love your attitude--it's a good way to look at things. Best of luck to you!

Meme9

Thursday, March 07, 2002 - 07:41 pm Click here to edit this post
Congrats to all of you!!!

Gadzooks

Thursday, March 07, 2002 - 11:29 pm Click here to edit this post
Hi Folks,

I need advice. I'm 34 years old and have worked for two big companies ....but I had bad luck...one company closed and the other merged and in both instances I lost my job. I was so fed up with all the office politics that I decided to take a couple of years off and live off my savings. During my time off I've become a decorative painter and would really like to turn it into a career. Does anyone know where or how I can start to make a living at it? I'd love to work from home, but am wondering if there are companies out there looking for someone with my talents.

I think this is a great thread. Very supportive. Good luck to all of you out there looking for a fresh start in life.

Wargod

Friday, March 08, 2002 - 12:43 am Click here to edit this post
OK, I've been avoiding this thread.......mostly because my job equals stress. The job itself is not bad, its pretty much limited to management and so on. I work in a retirement home and generally enjoy my elderly people. I've been there 12 years, don't make alot of money, don't have terrific benefits, and seniority doesn't count for more than how much vacation time you get. Well, we were informed by our boss a couple weeks ago that she thought our facility was going to be sold to the same people who bought the other two(convelescent hospital and an alzheimers facility.) I remember that time and som of the things that happened. The first thing new owners did, was fire the entire staff at both facilities. Then they rehired most of them at a lower salary, put them back on 90 days probation, and took away all seniority. They got a raise after 90 days,but it was no where near what they were making. The people they didn't rehire were long-term employees, and supervisors. It's got me a bit nervous.

We found out yesterday that our owner had made arrangements to have all his files transeferred to his office. Which means, most likely, that the sale will happen sooner rather than later. Now, my husband and I have been talking for awhile about me quitting and being a full time stay at home mom. I have agreed to wait until July to make sure his part time job goes through as it should. But, I feel like not only me, but other employees have devoted a great deal of our time, energy, and feelings towards this place, and we really deserve better. After 12 years, to get fired for no reason other than to lose seniority? To get rehired at a lower salary, when we've never got paid much? It seems like we are getting the short end of the stick. 12 years in a job where most people last less than 6 months should speak for itself. If I didn't truly care for my elderly people, and my job, I would not be there. If I was not doing my job properly, or management had reason to not trust me, I would not still be there. I can't help but wonder if I'm being dense about this, or if I have real reason to feel stressed by this. I just really don't want to end my time there by being fired. And I know I can't break my promise to my husband by quitting before we are sure he will still have his part time job after July.

Whoami

Friday, March 08, 2002 - 02:14 am Click here to edit this post
Wow Wargod, what a bad thing to go through. One way to look at it is, those 12 years mean something only to the company you have worked with for the last 12 years. Meaning, the new owners are a new company for you. Regardless if they keep you on, or fire you to re-hire at a lower wage, you are a new employee. No, it's not fair. But they are buying the company, not you. Show them what your 12 years of experience can do for them.

Gadzooks, you sound a bit like me! I've been laid off three times. If only these companies would realize they should keep me. Not only for my talents, but because almost every school I've gone to, and every job I've had has closed down after I left. I went to three elementary schools, and only one is still operating. My junior high shool is gone. The two convenience stores I worked for are gone (the whold chain, not just the one store). The first two companies that laid me off may be gone by the end of the year. The last one that laid me off has now been sold to someone else! So, since they all close down after I leave, then they should keep me around (since they don't close till after I leave!). As for your desire to be a painter, I have no tips for you. But I'm willing to bet someone here has some great advice!

Grooch

Friday, March 08, 2002 - 06:20 am Click here to edit this post
Wargod, stay with the company and let them fire you so you can stay home as a full time mom and collect unemployment at the same time.

Normally, I wouldn't give advice like that, but they are firng you for no other reason than to take advantage of you. So screw the system.

Urgrace

Friday, March 08, 2002 - 08:12 am Click here to edit this post
(((Oregonfire))) how wonderful! And you were so worried. Congratulations on your life getting into the upswing. I am very happy for you.

Gadzooks, if you get some great information about the decorative painting from home I would love to hear all about it.

Whoami, OMgosh! I thought I was the only person in the world that has a resume filled with job closures or disappearances! It is as if they never existed, and I agree, they should have been more concerned about keeping me around and then they would be too. It's as though you have no references after a few years.

War, Grooch is right. Even if they fire you it will not go against you. You will have been terminated without cause. Stay as long as it is possible, and then get paid to stay at home. It's a win win situation, and the company might just be around through July.

Juju2bigdog

Friday, March 08, 2002 - 09:51 am Click here to edit this post
Wargod, yes, you are justified in feeling stressed. However, neither you nor anybody else who works there should take it personally. You are not "people" to the new owners. You are just overhead, stick figures, meaningless interchangeable pawns in somebody's bottom line business chess game. Which isn't to say that's how it should be, but that's usually how it is. It is "just business" to the wheeler dealers, and they don't see the havoc they wreak in individual lives. So, don't be thinking that anything that happens has anything to do with you or how dedicated you have been or what a good job you have done. It is totally external and unconnected to you or anybody else who works at the facility. You and your co-workers are the unfortunate victims of "business." IF it happens, try to use it for something good, like maybe becoming a stay at home Mom and being able to take advantage of the unemployment. See if you can also reassure your co-workers that it has nothing to do with them individually, and that this may just be one of life's opportunities to take a different, albeit unexpected direction.

Good luck to you and your co-workers, War. Come back here and vent about what all kinds of <bleeps> the old owners/new owners are being.

Whoami

Friday, March 08, 2002 - 09:59 am Click here to edit this post
JuJu, very well said!

Oregonfire

Friday, March 08, 2002 - 02:33 pm Click here to edit this post
Hi all--I wish I could give great job advice. All I can say is that I realize I have it easier than most: I'm single, no children, no mortgage, no car payment--my student loan is the only albatross around my neck. I have notoriously had trouble staying in one job, city, or even one country! I want to be everywhere at once. (thank you, lovely internet, for helping this wish become a reality). Even my dreams have become a collage of all the places I've been...it's pretty cool, actually.

I've come to many conclusions about myself through this process, positive and negative, but a major one is that my job will never define who I am. I really don't live to work--I work to live. I had a former employer tell me yesterday, "You have to find your one passion." Truth be told, I don't have one passion! I'm not that kind of person--and I'm okay with that.

Anyway, to those of you who have families and major obligations, I really respect what you do for your families, especially if it's staying in a cruddy job for their sake, something I've never had to do.

Schoolmarm

Friday, March 08, 2002 - 05:25 pm Click here to edit this post
Has anyone filled out one of those affirmative action forms lately? I just realized that besides being female, I'm now in a "protected" class. The AGE class....ACK!!!!! It's for anyone 40 and over. ACK!!!!

Hope that gave you all a grin for the day!

Juju2bigdog

Friday, March 08, 2002 - 05:30 pm Click here to edit this post
<loans Schoolmarm her walker>

Urgrace

Saturday, March 09, 2002 - 02:03 am Click here to edit this post
Schoolmarm, well you got a chuckle out of me on that one!

Aussiedeb

Saturday, March 09, 2002 - 07:55 am Click here to edit this post
Well just to let everyone know after stressing out about taking placement tests for college, I did quite well apparently. I dont need to take any refresher courses in English or Math.

I was so worried as :
1. I graduated High School 19 years ago
2. I didnt go to school in the US
3. My teachers always said my essays pretty well sucked.

I have registered for classes for Spring quarter.So now I join the ranks of Americans in having student loans lol..arrhhh the great American dream, go to college, then have the joy..not in paying back the loans..lol

One thing I am grateful is that my hubby I have now is wonderful and was the one who kept pushing me to finally make my mind up in doing what I always wanted to do, get a degree in something.
I will still be working my meaningless job at my local grocery store in the Deli/bakery, but have had to cut down on my hours as I have classes at 8am Mon-Fri...eeek.. plus its an hours drive away to school.

Oh and I start college on April 1st (april fools day) and 2 days before my 36th birthday. Then I find out finals week starts on our 2nd Wedding Anniversary. ya cant win them all :)

Weinermr

Saturday, March 09, 2002 - 08:39 am Click here to edit this post
Congratulations Aussiedeb! What a wonderful thing you're doing. You'll do great!

Juju2bigdog

Saturday, March 09, 2002 - 08:50 am Click here to edit this post
Go for it, Aussiedeb! If you hadn't started this year, next year you'd be 37. And before you knew it, you'd be as old as Schoolmarm.

<hobbles off>

Oregonfire

Saturday, March 09, 2002 - 08:58 am Click here to edit this post
Congrats AussieDeb! You'll be head and shoulders above the rest. My older students are always more attentive, accomplished, and mature. What will be your area of study/major? What are you taking in the spring?

Those student loans are deceptively easy to get--stay away from the unsubsidisized ones of you can, and try not to go into forebearance later. (I did so for one six-month period, and the interest that accrued during that time--about $1000--was going to be tacked onto my principal unless I paid it off in a lump sum, hence negating the whole point of a forebearance.)

Schoolmarm

Saturday, March 09, 2002 - 11:42 am Click here to edit this post
<Marm throws juju's walker back at her>

Good luck, AussieDeb. Like Oregonfire, I certainly appreciate my returning adult students. Have fun and enjoy your studies!

Lancecrossfire

Saturday, March 09, 2002 - 12:18 pm Click here to edit this post
Aussue deb and Oregon fire--congratulations to both of you on what is happening in your life!

Bigs steps to be sure, with the potential for big return. There are many forms of return--it sounds like you will both get to do something has has importance to YOU. It's always a great feeling when that happens.

Babyruth

Saturday, March 09, 2002 - 02:04 pm Click here to edit this post
Way to go, Aussiedeb!

Urgrace

Saturday, March 09, 2002 - 05:29 pm Click here to edit this post
Way to go Deb! I went back to school at an older age than you, and being a non-traditional student isn't as hard as it looks. You'll do just fine. If you can find the non-traditional student organization [NTSO] join it. You won't regret it, because all the 'older' students are very helpful with checking your homework, reading your essays, explaining what classes to take or avoid, etc. Good luck

Alib

Saturday, March 09, 2002 - 07:00 pm Click here to edit this post
Good for you Aussiedeb! I am over 50 and I went back to university a few years ago. I am still working at my degree one credit at a time, but enjoying every minute of it. If I keep to my target date I will have my degree the same year that I retire (2006). Also, my oldest son and I will graduate at the same time. Neat, eh!

Aussiedeb

Sunday, March 10, 2002 - 07:37 am Click here to edit this post
Im am doing Business Management Associate Degree to start. My classes for this semester are English Composition, Math in Business, and Computers in the Workplace.

Thanks for all the good wishes and encouragements. I do feel better being older and wiser now. The college I am going to has a lot of older students. They were talking about the average age now is over 30. I know of a few people who are in their 50's going there. Its a 2 year college so therefore cheaper and smaller. I can transfer to a 4 year one later on. My college is also sharing its campus/library/gym/cafeteria etc with Ohio State University. Any books etc we need will be anything OSU can get we can get. So that will be great.

I could only get a small amount subsidized of my student loan, the rest is Unsub. But for me thats ok as hubby works full time and I will still be working part time. But they have job openings at the campus and it pays more than what I earn now, so that will be my next step.

Alib, that is so cool :)

Schoolmarm and Oregon, thanks for doing the jobs you do. I hope my instructors are as nice :). So far my advisor is really cool and friendly. She said I should have no probs with my experience doing the course as I have done worked in business and the Aussie Air Force for years. Its just here in the US to get a job in that field you need the degree.

I am so looking forward to it all, the only downside is I wont be able to be online as much. But will continue to post on this site as I love it so much.

Buttercup

Sunday, March 10, 2002 - 12:21 pm Click here to edit this post
Alib, good for you!!! What fun to be graduating at the same time as your son!

Way to go, Aussiedeb!!!

I just went back to school a couple of months ago, and am having a blast even though I still complain about homework

It is definitely different being back in school after having been out in the corporate world for years. However, I see it as a great advantage as my experience can easily be applied to many subjects.

Good luck to us all!

Buttercup