Thursday, June 28, 2007

Kicking me when I'm down

I just got off the phone with the unemployment office. My claim was denied. Why? Because technically, I quit my job. I say technically, because I did quit, but it was due to extenuating circumstances. They told me they were going to close our summer program(with no explanation whatsoever), and that as of June 8 th I would be out of a job. And then they asked me if I planned on returning next year. Because I must have a job that is available to me twelve months of the year, I told them "No". If they could not provide me with a year round job(as they had for the last fourteen years), I could not continue my employment with them. So, I quit. And if you quit your job(as opposed to being laid off), you are ineligible for unemployment. Luckily I received this phone call while Miss K was at her friend's house, because when I hung up with them, I just put my head on the table and cried. Big, heaving sobs. It was a good fifteen minutes before I could contain myself. This means that I have to find a job right now. Right this minute. My husband's pay has already been cut by almost half for the summer. Without that unemployment money, we will simply not make it. I am terrified. I have been actively looking for a job. Every single day I scour the internet, looking for something. There just doesn't seem to be a lot out there right now. I am scared. And sad. The person who called told me there was nothing she could do, because she had a signed form from my job stating that I would not be returning in the Fall. She told me what I should have done was tell them I was returning, then wait until my contract expired before letting them know I was quitting. So what I should have done was lied. A few months ago, several people told me that's what I should have done too(My husband being one of them). But I didn't listen to them. I was honest with my job in telling them I could not return unless the position was twelve months. I guess in this society honesty isn't always the best policy. I have questioned my decision to leave this job so much in the last two months. Maybe I made a mistake. But I was miserable there. It was grossly mismanaged and I just couldn't take it anymore. I think after fourteen years I had just reached my limit. Had I known the road to a new job would be so bumpy, I might have had a change of heart. But hindsight is 20/20. What I need now is to focus on finding a new job. And fast.

1 comment:

JMCS said...

Sorry to hear that Michelle. I hope that you can find a job you love soon. I can imagine how stressful it must be. You guys are in my thoughts.

Hugs,
Jonni