OMG-18 horses and no job!

[shakeytails]

I just got fired tonite. I'm simply dumbfounded. It was over a disagreement (that I thought was very minor) I had with a very low level supervisor last week. I sort of expected to be disciplined in some way, but this is absolutely unreal. I really hope I get my job back with my company's peer review process, but I'm absolutely scared to death!! What if I don't get my job back and am also denied unemployment??

Fortunately my mortgage is really cheap, and I have enough in savings to last several months, thank God. I have enough hay for winter.

I've already cut expenses almost as far as I can, though now groceries will also be on the cut list. About all I can cut is landline phone/internet/satellite tv. Obviously my horse in training will have to come home.

I was already planning on gleaning corn fields for winter feed for the pasture rats. One pony that isn't mine will have to be returned to his owner- he doesn't eat much and I was keeping him here for free as a favor. I have 2 others that are mine that I'll probably have to put down if I don't get my job back.

DH has some odd jobs to do but because of the economy he's basically minimally employed.

My job skills are limited- I've worked in a factory for the last 15 years. I do have an AAS degree (Agriculture) but never finished getting my BS. I don't think going back to school will be affordable- I've thought about nursing but I'd have to re-take all my science classes. I'm smart enough to do nearly any job, but I have no training. I guess I'll have to start calling some people I know with connections to see if they can hook me up with a decent paying job.

This sucks. It really sucks.

[spaghetti legs]

Oh wow.. you poor thing :(

*hug*

[wolfatbay2002]

Fingers crossed for you. Lots of jingles:cry:

[ellebeaux]

Lots of jingles. Hang in there!

[armandh]

a wee bit of [employer provided] training and geriatric care can bring in cash.
most of the employers around here are always on the lookout for responsible workers.

[goeslikestink]

well now since i been made redundant 10 times there are things you can do to bring in extra cash and i havent any exams either but i keep my horses and still re hab and keep ones i rescue i also have a dumped pony as his owners dont want to know they havent paid me for him for two years so i have claimed him as mine now.

alll in all we have 10 horses still on my lot i have 5 with 2acres and the others are on my mates
yard that debs runs with 8 acres sometimes the ponies go up there and i also have anther 2acres behind a local pub but hard as no water at all, but useful

you can act as animal aunty - ie dog walk or look after said pets when out at work
you can go cleaning as in general housework ( dont do washing or ironing)
and as i am a trinaer as i break in horses and re school i do short term liveries at cost

plus i teach when short of dosh i have no end of clients all by word of mouth if iam short i will do it and keep it up until they either depart get married or by there own

people always need people for something - i also do short term contracts for comapnies
and register as a temp i have done things from turkeys to admin, to sales to banking
i might not be able to write well but sums i can do
i relay on my strengthens rather than my weaknesses to pull me through

i am now employed again but only part time as at this time that all i want to do
so i can do my hozhatz part time and work part time to pay for things that i need

theres shop work or tactical work

[Chief2]

Regardless of whether you have been fired, laid off or in some cases you plain out quit, in some states you can get unemployment benefits, so apply for them. You will probably have to go through a hearing, but that may not be as bad as it sounds. Here it is initially done over the telephone, then in a meeting. Often, it never makes it to the meeting phase, and the employee can collect. Other times it gets to the meeting, but the situation is not what the labor lawyers consider fair, so the employee can collect. It all depends on your state's policies. Most people think you have to be laid off to collect, don't even bother trying, and thus miss out on a crucial source of income.

I would consider calling your state unemployment office and talking with a labor lawyer there. Present your case and see what he or she says. If they say to apply for benefits, then do it.

[goeslikestink]

also dont your jobs to the 3 stage warning for disaplinaires

ie - verbal is the 1st-- last about 3mnths 2nd is written warning last about 6months
3rd is to fire

at each stage its up to the employer to tell you if you need to be imrpvoed via trianing
nowadays they cant just fire you on the spot unless you have had done the same thing over and over again
sickness is a problem for employers as some will take to much time of for the silly reason

unfortuately if taking time out to see to horse for vet or anything isnt in the code of ffects
of employers unless in an equine industry

to much sickness cna be disaplinary if to much time out as thye lose business

depends onn what you see as a problem might be a weaney one to you but to a company could be much larger as it could have aknock on affect whereby it effects everyone and not just you
an exsample-- sales person goes out claimes to have done this and that
comes to stock take day -- someone esle covers her area and finds heaps of stuff out in the wearhouse of which original person had down as sales

the shop say in which she had her stand in selling the stuff through the till was half empty
as in not beeing seen to and filled as all out the back, the shop has lost trust and confidence in the supplier so doesnt want to deal with them and if a mutiple chain store will also report said losses to head office


so it all goes back to the company now this area could count as 20% of income and profit for the company now the stock in question was up to date seasonal market stuff say
its has to be returned becuase now its out of season so therfore the company has lost the sales and the profit of those sales and the stock is dead stock
and out oof the said profit comes your wages -- so for this person one act

has lost the shop
has lost the company
has lost all sales
has lost all profit
and has lost you your wages or increase in wages
and has lost trust wit chain stores as a supplier to the store
and also may have lsot you your job

all becuase one person didnt pull there wieght

always to sides to every storey
depends what you did and how they view it if they have fired you for it then it must have been severe so there will be no chance of gong back or being re employed by them

cashiers in shops will be fired if to many shortages etc etc for the smae reasons
to much lose to the company they cant afford it

but high light is have alook and be honest with yourself of what you can do
and then go and get anotther job and sign on and look on computers at the job center in magazines and on internets big shops always want staff escpecially now its nearer christmas

[LKF]

Any way of making yourself self-employed?
Here is an idea - what about a farm sitting service?
You're skills are actually very valuable where you can come to a home/small farm and care for the animals while the homeowner is away.
Here in Georgia, it's something that is catching on and can earn you some good money quickly.
You can also offer short lay-ups where folks can bring their animals (dogs and possibly horses), drop them off and pick them up - animal baby sitting.


Just a thought -

[everyequine]

So sorry to hear about this... but maybe it's a blessing. It may not seem like it, but something good will come out of it.

There are definitely jobs out there, maybe not what you want to do as a career, but with the holidays coming there's retail positions, that don't require too much, have flexible hours, and will train you. Find a store that you like in the mall, and start there. Food Service jobs, are not high paing but anything coming in is going to help.
I worked at the mall, it made me quite a bit over the holidays, and I might actually go and do it again. I am not working in a field that I went to school for. I actually never have. I have always been in sales of some kind to keep the horses fed.
What about your feed store? are they hiring? Think discounted feed might be a bonus?!
Best wishes to you, and really, it will get better.

[slc2]

Since the economy is so bad, I hope everyone tries to grin and bear it and stick with the job they have, and just avoid any arguments entirely. It can be very hard to find anything right now. Covey has a lot of books about avoiding arguments and resolving things without creating friction.

I agree with others that there's a lot of jobs out there one can pick up temporarily.

Hate to say it, but with 18 hrses, one has to have an emergency fund set aside and a 'bare bones' plan to get thru bad times. And yeah, I don't have 18 horses, but I have been caught very short after losing a job and do sympathize.

[shakeytails]

I'm numb, I can't sleep.

I intend to apply for unemployment benefits in the morning, as the peer review process can take a couple of weeks. Apparently in KY, they like to deny unemployment. Great.

The HR guy that walked me out actually seemed very sympathethic and told me that I probably have about a 50% chance of getting my job back with the peer review. He was my supervisor many years ago and he knows my work ethic. .

GLS- my company does have a 3 step disciplinary process. Generally the only people that end up right out the door without going through those steps are those that threaten bodily harm to another or are caught stealing. I did neither.

Armandh- I did geriatric nurse's aide stuff when I was in high school. Not my first choice of jobs but it is an option.

All I can think about is how I'm going to manage to keep the horses and dogs fed, wormed, etc. if things don't work out. The horse market is just so bad right now and I only have one that *might* be easily sold- but she'd have to stay in training for that to even be doable. I'm so glad I decided not to breed any of my mares this year!

[Rivendell Horses]

Check out your local craigslist (www.craigslist.com) they have a farm and garden section you can advertise or look for a farm related job, and a whole "gigs/jobs" section that has everything under the sun from babysitting/nanny jobs to factory work and cleaning etc. (thats what i have on the ones by me))

So you might be able to find odd jobs (for both of you) or a full time job off that. :)

Good luck!! Fingers crossed for you

Jen
www.rivendellhorsefarm.com

[Alagirl]

Biggest of hugs to you. been there (minus the horses) hated it.

best of luck with the unemployment benefits. And even more with the review.

[King's Ransom]

First off (((((((((((hugs)))))))))))).

Second, take a deep breath. You WILL land on your feet. You will. There really are no other options. In this country, they don't throw you in jail for being poor and, as my ex-husband used to always say, they can't eat you!

Try to regain your calm, your sanity and your sense of humor. Then, get on a good determination and start assessing the opportunity market in your area. Yes, I said the OPPORTUNITY market versus the job market. You had a "job." And the really crappy thing about "jobs" is that they are always precarious, as you have seen, saying the wrong thing at the wrong time to the wrong person can cast you into financial hell. As one who has a habit of speaking her mind, I found that "jobs" were almost always "temporary!"

Try to find something that either leads to something, or allows you the time to pursue your education or other avocational interest. For example, I once took an evening job paying less than minimum wage doing paste-up work at a local newspaper (I have a bachelor's degree in journalism and numerous prestigious writing awards, so this was a big ego-bust for me!). The "opportunity" there was that this newspaper was switching (I am dating myself here) from literal paste-up to computer layout and design. Since that was new technology, there were very few people who knew how to do it and the whole industry was in training mode. Instead of going back to school and paying $200 a credit hour, I got paid $4.50 an hour and taught myself on their time.

Later, I was able to start the business that I now have had for nearly 15 years and that grosses over $1 million in annual revenues ... in part because I was able to use all this newfangled software (not entirely, but certainly in part!). I am eternally thankful for all of the horrible bosses I had in the corporate world who kept steering me toward opportunity (and out of a job!).

Good luck to you. You WILL land on your feet. And remember, they can't eat you!

[JanM]

Can you type using approved formats? Meaning typing dissertations or theses for grad students? They pay multiple $ per page for these and there is software (not expensive) to input it into the MLA or APA format. Also private health care pays about $10 an hour and it's not skilled-just light housekeeping and babysitting people. Some states also will pay you to go back for nursing-or hospitals will employ you as a medical aid and send you through school in return for working as an RN for them for a certain number of years (usually one year of work for one year of school) and if you have a degree it's a one year program after you do a few preliminary courses.

Farm or house sitting pays very well-around here they earn $10-20 a day per house and the higher price is when they actually have animals to tend-they visit a couple of times a day and pick up mail, turn on water sprinklers (just pushing a button), take the trash can to the curb or put it up, and just make sure nothing awful happened. I don't like it that some of them here have advertising signs for their business on their cars-it notifies people that the house is empty. Get cheap business cards made up with your services and put them on every bulletin board that you can find-lots of vets offices, hair salons and other neighborhood businesses have them. Give a business card to anyone you see, tell all of the neighbors, and you could offer in-house sitting for a few animals too-flexible pickup places can charge more (nothing like getting home late because the plane was late and you have to pick your dog up the next day or after the weekend). Even if they offer your job back do you want it? It sounds like an uncomfortable situation possibly. Good Luck!

[BelladonnaLily]

Maybe suggest to DH that in between "odd jobs" he could learn some (new) job skills so he can cease being "minimally employed"? Or else unload your dead weight.

And check out your umemployment laws...you should be able to apply. Just take advantage of the time you have off to explore some new job skills yourself, in addition to applying for work. Just remember, the job market does not create new jobs to suit your skills...you have to keep up with what the market demands. If you are truly in an area where jobs are scarce, you might consider moving. It might mean exceptional life changes for you, but that is the price to pay if you really want to better yourself.

Good luck.

[luvmytbs]

Sorry to hear about your job loss.

You would qualify for the KY horse council's emergency fund to receive temp help with your horses: http://www.kentuckyhorse.org/SOHO_describe.shtml

I don't think that you would get denied unemployement since you were fired. I would assume, your company was planning to down size anyways and just needed an excuse to lay someone off, anyone at all. It's happening all over right now.

Where are you located?

With Christmas season coming up, UPS in Louisville always hires additional temp staff for their distribution center at the airport.

[LSM1212]

Been there, done that.... twice. First company downsized and I got a severance package so that wasn't too bad. Second one, I was escorted off the property... fired. :no: Don't get discouraged about the unemployment thing... I applied after the second job. And I was approved. Even though technically, I was fired from the job. I, too, had a disagreement but it was w/ HR but they didn't do the correct steps... just wanted to get rid of me.

So please, go online (you can do it online now) and apply.

[gloriginger]

I don't think that you would get denied unemployement since you were fired.


Assuming that you were fired for insubordination- usually you cannot get unemployment benifits for that...it looks like Kentucky is an employment-at-will state, which means that basically they are eligible to terminate your employment at any time. Without knowing all the details of what happened to you, I would look into a wrongful termination-go to Freeadvice.com and also get familiar with your state laws.

You are right that there is usually a disciplinary process, to fire someone outright with no warning is usually for something very, very bad. Not just a disagreement with one person- have you had any prior warnings? Again- I don't know the details surrounding the incident, but you don't seem like an unreasonable person- the reason companies have these steps is to avoid legal recourse. It can be very costly for them- and can be bad for their reputation. You might be able to find free representation. Rememer that as a woman you are a protected class. I know you are stunned right now, but pick your chin up and fight for your rights. Good luck to you!

[shakeytails]

luvmytbs- I forgot about UPS! Thanks for the reminder. It's about an hour from here but do-able as I have an economical car.

I think you hit the nail on the head about downsizing anyway and looking for reasons to get rid of people.

Hopefully I won't have to consider using the KY Council program. Thankfully I do have some reserves.

BelladonnaLily- DH is a carpenter, and either the wages are seriously low and too far away (fuel prices), or the companies are not hiring so he mostly works for himself. He does have a few high paying jobs lined up, but once winter hits there really won't be anything. We have talked about him learning plumbing or HVAC.

[Fancy]

The very best thing you can do is sit down and make out a spreadsheet to find out just HOW MUCH money you spend. On the first page of this thread, somebody counted up how much money Starbucks actually cost. Well, do the same for eveything. How much do you pay a year for rent/mortgage? Car insurance? Food? Clothing? And when you get the first two columns done, divide by 12 for the next column and find out how much $$$ you have to have per month. It's scary to do--most of those numbers are way higher than we realize. It took me quite a while to get the list done. I kept remembering more "stuff." But now, after five years of this, I have a complete list. I'm on social security, and a fixed income this winter is going to be tough! I was able to carve quite a bit of money out of my original estimates. I'll put is all back when the economy picks up, but right now I don't have to hit my savings quite so hard. Thank you, Excel!

[linquest]

Sorry to hear about what happened :(

I'd suggest that you start looking at health care facilities for nursing aide jobs (great that you already have experience) and ask about training opportunities. At the hospital/nursing home I used to work for, we had a "Fast-track" program for aides where we paid for training and scheduled your work around classes in exchange for you signing a contract to work for us as a nurse. At the least, most of these facilities will offer tuition reimbursement.

Good luck!

[findeight]

My guess is you may have been caught in an informal downsizing where they were looking for excuses. Unless there really is cause for your termination (stealing, outright insubordination like refusing to perform a task, being under the influence) you should be able to get your unemployment...it's the company that has to contest it and some type of verbal disagreement without going through the typical 3 step warning process violates their own procedures. I actually don't know anybody who has NOT gotten KY unemployement even when there was a valid reason (except the druggie). So go file. TODAY.

They should have a list of available jobs and you can start to look and get something, anything really at this point.

Might be time to rethink depending on factory/manufacturing for a wage when automation, outsourcing and flat bad sales are closing several car plants in our area putting 20 year+ employees out on the street.

So do this in two parts...get a job. Then plan so you don't get stuck again.

BTW, don't know where in Ky you are but both Louisville and Cincy are hiring Holiday retail help, looking for full time weekdays and say they are planning to keep some after. So Wally World may not pay that great but they will train you, it is something and that can lead to more.

So get on it.

One other thought...about trying to get your job back? Maybe not the way to go despite what the former supervisor told you. Oh, you may force them to take you back but you will go right back in the same position with the same supervisor that canned you and it may happen again-or the whole department may go.

Make the break.

[linquest]

Unless there really is cause for your termination (stealing, outright insubordination like refusing to perform a task, being under the influence) you should be able to get your unemployment...it's the company that has to contest it

Oh, that brings up another point. I used to handle unemployment claims for that hospital. In NY state (don't know about KY), the employer MUST contest unemployment or it is automatically granted. In some cases when I had to let an employee go, I'd make a deal with them (or more typically, with their union) not to respond to the claim for benefits, even if the reasons for termination might have barred them from collecting. Maybe you should talk to your HR Manager about this? He might not be the one handling claims, but he might be able to advocate on your behalf.

[khp vol]

If you're closer to Lexington than Louisville, Amazon.com has a warehouse in Lexington and they also hire for the holidays. If they're impressed with your performance, they may ask you to stay on (with a raise).

I second contacting the KY Horse Council. Their SOHO Fund is there for situations like this.

GOOD LUCK AND BEST WISHES!:)

[bludejavu]

My guess is you may have been caught in an informal downsizing where they were looking for excuses.


That was my thought too! Shakeytails - you and I are in the same breed of horse and my husband and I own 21 of them - I KNOW they eat a lot. I haven't worked in 11 years (didn't need to so all I've done is manage/train/care for our horses which was a dream come true for me). About three months ago, my husband's company downsized and he was cut. Overnight, everything changed and we had a whopping farm mortgage, 21 horses to feed, misc. dogs and cats and basically no income. I discovered I was not nearly as employable as I once was and further, because we live in a bedroom community, gas to commute was going to eat me alive if I did find a job. Don't do what I did and stress to the max - I've had numerous health problems since then and I know it's all related to stress. The first thing I did was pull shoes on the horses and simply trim them. I went to a much less pricier feed than the Triple Crown that I was feeding. I started selling things I didn't need on ebay and Craigslist and that really helped get us out of dire straits. It took my husband six weeks to become re-employed and then, after weeks of no employers calling, he got two job offers on the same day LOL. We are not out of the woods by any means - when you get behind in bills, you don't catch them up overnight. But...we have and will survive and YOU WILL too. Don't let yourself become overwhelmed with your situation - do the spread sheet like was suggested already and see if you can find more ways to cut costs - even little changes help.

((((((HUGS))))) to you from someone who has been in your shoes - you will get thru this and realize afterwards that it only made you a stronger person for learning how to survive a crisis.

[stryder]

Sorry to hear about what happened :(

I'd suggest that you start looking at health care facilities for nursing aide jobs (great that you already have experience) and ask about training opportunities. At the hospital/nursing home I used to work for, we had a "Fast-track" program for aides where we paid for training and scheduled your work around classes in exchange for you signing a contract to work for us as a nurse. At the least, most of these facilities will offer tuition reimbursement.

Good luck!

I'm sorry about your job, and hope the hearing goes well for you. So many hospitals are desperate for nurses and related health-care workers that they offer signing bonuses or help with training. Don't know about your DH's interests or skills, but we've met people at the hospital who "used to be" in construction, manufacturing or other jobs. Hands-on health care isn't laying off people or being outsources. So maybe it's something you both could look into.

good luck.

[JanM]

I second the idea of Amazon-trust me I do enough business with them that they should give me frequent flyer miles. I like Stryder's suggestion-the healthcare field always needs people and after you are in the field you don't have to work in a hospital, there are doctor's offices, clinic admin staff, temp agencies (they pay very well), and private duty nursing is very lucrative.

[Alagirl]

Temp agencies are a great way to go, too!

My sis started working for one and got 'leased out' to the company she ended up working for for 12 years!

[ReSomething]

Not just UPS, all the package delivery services hire for the holidays. That includes the Post Office and they have centers in Louisville, Lexington, and Bowling Green that I know of, plus some others in E and W KY, and often in individual towns too, extra carriers and such. I think they all do it the same way, part time with no bennies, Manpower used to have a contract with the USPS and Toyota to handle HR. Pretty sure it'll all be from 3PM to 7 AM time frames. I DO know somebody who was denied KY benefits - the supervisor was an A** and she was classed as a "casual" and had no union protection. She found work quick at Amazon, Humana, ACS, Webasco and for a home health aide service, all in Lexington. It's a nasty shocker, I know, BTDT. Get your game plan together and good luck!

[DressageGeek "Ribbon Ho"]

BIG HUGS.

[pintopiaffe]

I don't have any good suggestions... just (((hugs))) and hopefully a spark of hope for you... I was fired once. Out of the blue, on bogus charges. (they fired three or four of us company-wide on the same day claiming the same thing.) It was truly the best thing that ever happened to me. I never would have left that job, and it was a dead end. Within 3 mos after I left, they were bought out and things have gone from bad to worse.

I know it is TERRIFYING. But I hope for you it is an opportunity for something better--that you didn't even know was out there.

(((hugs))) hang in there.

[bridgetah1]

Try the post office. They hire extra workers over the holidays and the pay is pretty good. Also, they have great benefits.

These are scary times and you're not alone.

[Lildunhorse]

I recently moved to Idaho. I made sure to have a job lined up first, but what I didn't realize is that in Idaho, they don't need a reason to fire you. So...I got fired.
That was in May. It is now October and no job. The unemployment benefits are gone, as is the retirement fund, the savings account and both of my charge cards are maxed out.
There are no jobs here for an 'outsider' with job experience and a little education. I recently went to an interview for a receptionist position at the Opthamologist's office. He took one look at my resume, looked me straight in the eye and said "Are you kidding me? I don't need a rocket scientist, just someone to answer the phones. And I want someone who wil stick around!"
So, the only option that I've had is to leave behind my horses, my dog and the sweetest man in the world (who is on a pension and cannot afford bills that I created when I was making $40,000 a year) and go back to the real world where there are actual jobs. I've been putting it off for weeks, hoping that I will get a reprieve of some sort and I can actually have my happily ever after. But, I was offered a chance at a great opportunity in Civil Service and I'd be stupid not to take it.
So, I really, really feel your pain. I cannot eat, cannot sleep and I'm so angry that I trusted my future to some sorry inbred who has no conscience. I can only hope that there was a point to all this and that I will see it soon.

[glitterless]

Also private health care pays about $10 an hour and it's not skilled-just light housekeeping and babysitting people. Some states also will pay you to go back for nursing-or hospitals will employ you as a medical aid and send you through school in return for working as an RN for them for a certain number of years (usually one year of work for one year of school) and if you have a degree it's a one year program after you do a few preliminary courses.



I second this. I'm up in Canada, but I just took on a second job like this. I'll be going for my RN next year and thought it would be good experience. I have no training in the field whatsover. The pay does only start at around $10, but the company I'm working for offers upgrading -- really basic open booked tests that you can complete quickly -- that gets you a pay increase for every test taken. I don't know about where you are, but up here there is a huge demand for healthcare professionals...especially homecare workers in rural areas.

Good luck. I'm sure it'll all work out :)

[asb_own_me]

Hugs and good luck to you. I can't imagine how scared you must feel right now. Chin up and keep looking for creative solutions. You've gotten a lot of good suggestions.

[JanM]

Lildunhorse-take the civil service job and then go to usajobs.opm.gov and sign up for the email job listing service and you can get job openings for everything in Idaho for instance, or you can just search their database-search often because a lot of jobs are only open for a week at a time, and look at cpol.army.mil and click employment to search for jobs--you can limit it to a specific state and see everything available (look at each listing for the actual location-some personnel offices control jobs in some very odd geographic places), if you find something you want to apply for once you are career-conditional you qualify as an inhouse candidate and make sure they pay move costs (or move as cheaply as possible yourself) some do and some are negotiable with the civilian personnel office. Don't ever accept an "obligated" position-civilian personnel will explain what that is, and don't take temps-they can end them at any time at their convenience and you are gone. There are actually some small federal offices in some rather odd places, and there are lots of possibilities out there-so getting back to Idaho is very possible. They might even have an equestrian center at Knox-and they have jobs too. Good Luck.

Shakeytails-are you near Ft Knox? Go to the cpol.army.mil site or go to the personnel office at Knox and look at the NAF jobs. They only accept local applications (some can apply online at the cpol site-change the menu to NAF for job type and upper level ones are listed and you can do a resume). Fill out an OF-86 form at opm.gov-it's like a resume and you can use it to apply, and do a good one page resume with your skills too. NAF as I said only accepts local applications, and hires very quickly-some jobs are seasonal, and some are recreation or clerical jobs, and then you can apply for regular civil service jobs. That way you can get money coming in and job hunt at the same time. Remember there are usually things like Social Security or Veterans Administration clinics even in smaller towns and they are usually hiring also, look at their websites for possible openings-VA might have a medical aid job where they offer tuition reimbursement too-ask their personnel people about that too. It may sound funny but getting fired may turn out to be the best thing that ever happened to you even though it totally sucks now.

[nightsong]

I agree with others that there's a lot of jobs out there one can pick up temporarily.

Hate to say it, but with 18 hrses, one has to have an emergency fund set aside


Yup to both.

[nightsong]

I'm so glad I decided not to breed any of my mares this year!

OMG!!!

[Adelita]

((((hugs))))

Honestly? There's always banking (I am a branch manager for a large national bank). If you are professional in demeanor and dress, can talk to anyone and are outgoing (seems like you might be, based on your well-worded posts here), look at a bank job (teller, etc).

They will want to know if you have cash handling experience (if you don't, use your farm experience to talk up your bookkeeping accuracy, etc). Go to any bank's website and start applying. We lose tellers left and right, and it's a pretty good job if you ask me. Tellers ARE asked to sell and refer sales to bankers, though, so beware that will be expected of you...gone are the placid calm tellers of yesterday. :D

Good luck honey, and remember everything happens for a reason.

[War Admiral]

Shakeytails, my deepest sympathies - I have SO been where you are at.

By all means visit your local Dept. of Labor office and make use of EVERYTHING they've got. They have employment counseling, a lot of times they know of opportunities opening up before anybody else does, they'll help you rewrite your resume, they'll help you with interviewing technique, they'll let you print out resumes and cover letters and surf the net for job openings.

Check and see whether KY is offering any stipends or training in any particular areas that you (or your DH) might conceivably be qualified for. Here in GA I darn near went to trucking school and still kind of wish I had! That CDL is a nice thing to have when you have heese!

Also - look around you for stuff that could conceivably be monetized. Got a truck and trailer? Do up a flyer offering local hauling, and put it up at feed stores and the smaller boarding barns. (Sometimes I think it's easier to find a pro to haul your horse halfway across the country than it is to find a pro to haul it a few miles up the road! :)) Got extra stalls? Screen carefully and require references, but offer rough board. I'm thinking a lot of people will be looking to cut their OWN costs right now, and rough board is definitely one way to do it. Got a camcorder? Offer to video people's lessons, sales horses, whatever.

Many hugs to you and yours, and best of luck!!

[findeight]

Just want to add that, far as I know, Shakeytail posted that she could drive to the UPS hub in Louisville so am assuming she is within 60 miles or so of that city. Probably south or southeast?

No Ft Knox.

[jeta]

DH is a carpenter, and either the wages are seriously low and too far away (fuel prices), or the companies are not hiring so he mostly works for himself. He does have a few high paying jobs lined up, but once winter hits there really won't be anything. We have talked about him learning plumbing or HVAC.

I know you are focusing on your employment right now, but I think you have an untapped resource with DH....Reliable, trustworthy carpenter / remodeler types are like gold...Honestly, I have a guy that has done BEAUTIFUL work for us....Large Deck, refinished our basement....He puts small nice finishing touches on things that make him very in-demand....We are on a waiting list when we want to have something done.....He is a one-man band..... We pass his name on to anyone who needs work and they all rave about him....

We got our guys name by a recommendation via word of mouth.... To start he will have to get his name out there...Get business cards made up and start passing them out...Take a small ad in the local church bulletins... Consider handyman jobs as well.....Very few people have handyman skills these days and hire those things out.... Once word is out that he is dependable, reliable and trustworthy.....well, you can quit your new day job and be his secretary:winkgrin:

[riverbell93]

((((hugs)))) I've lost jobs suddenly and unexpectedly and it is shocking and hard on the emotions. Breathe! You'll be okay.

Random idea if other things don't work out - I noticed H&R Block and similar tax co's are going into their free training period. Health aids are always in demand, but those are HARD jobs, physically and psychically.

[shakeytails]

I'm near Elizabethtown, so Ft. Knox is actually closer than L-ville. I looked at their job listings, didn't see anything great. I'm really holding out hope for getting my job back- I truly enjoy it and very little around here pays that well. It is in the auto industry, so it's shaky anyway, but I'd like to keep it for at least another year or two- at least until the tractor and mower are paid off. I have a meeting with the plant manager in a couple of hours to talk about the peer review. I've also worked for him when he was a much lower level supervisor. Wish me luck that all goes well.

If things don't work out, I'll do what I have to to survive and probably go back to school so I can get a more "portable" job, like nursing.

[Huntertwo]

also dont your jobs to the 3 stage warning for disaplinaires

ie - verbal is the 1st-- last about 3mnths 2nd is written warning last about 6months
3rd is to fire

at each stage its up to the employer to tell you if you need to be imrpvoed via trianing
nowadays they cant just fire you on the spot unless you have had done the same thing over and over again
sickness is a problem for employers as some will take to much time of for the silly reason



That is what I was thinking. When I worked for a large company, it was a verbal warning, written warning, then probation for X amount of months.

Definitely apply for unemployment benefits. Worth the try.

[Just Wondering]

I have a meeting with the plant manager in a couple of hours to talk about the peer review. I've also worked for him when he was a much lower level supervisor. Wish me luck that all goes well.



Good luck!

[Artful]

ok--not to sound mean, but

Christmas is coming and Wal Mart is hiring.
It's not the greatest job in the world, but it's not the worst, and it pays money.
Whereas sitting around watching tv while in between those "minimumly employed" jobs does not.

Sorry you lost your job, it sucks. Sorry the carpentry jobs have dried up for DH because the economy has taken a downturn. It's happened before. Probably everyone here has lost a job at one time or another for various reasons.

You pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and do whatever is necessary.Things can always be worse that they are. If you have people or animals depending on you, and mouths to feed, then you do whatever job you can find that is legal.
And realize that "this ,too, shall pass".

That's the American work ethic (or at least it used to be).

[King's Ransom]

I want to second the notion that a decent carpenter with decent handy-man skills who will show up to the job when promised, do even passable work, and clean up after himself when done is in HUGE demand. I, too, rely on one of these one-man-band handyman types and I can almost NEVER get him to come unless it's a true emergency. He is stacked up, lined up, overworked and running as fast as he can. Word gets around quick. He's not a tremendous craftsman, but he's honest, does good work (not great, but good), he's polite and he cleans up his mess.

I'm pretty critical of finish work as I was married for 25 years to a cabinet maker who was extremely talented. Unfortunately, he was not extremely motivated and seldom worked for real money. I miss the stuff he used to do around the house, but now I know he was feeding me a line. Those kinds of guys can get work anywhere anytime if they just show a LITTLE bit of gumption. We women are foolish to buy their lines!

I've been casually dating a guy who has a full-time job and works nights and weekends doing remodeling and handywork for folks. Basement refinish, etc. He, too, cannot keep up with the demand. He could work 24/7 if his body would keep going.

[horse-loverz]

Shakey... hugs to you.. my husband works at DANA and all of them are on pins and needles.... just because they are either laying off... or firing for no reason.... or making them work OT?? It's just not predictable.... He just graduated from college with his bachelors to get out of there and is on the job hunt now. I live in E-town as well but work at a hospital in Louisville. I know Hardin Memorial and most of the Louisiville Hospitals are looking for nursing assistants... not the most glamorous of jobs I know (I'm a nurse myself) But if you want to eventually get into nursing most hospitals offer a very nice tuition reimbursements for nursing school once you have worked there a little while and have the opportunity for very flexible scheduling to allow for horse and school stuff. PM me if you want local shoulder to whine to or any info about job openings at the hospital I work for.. I can check into it if you want. If you worked at one of the local factories I can totally sympathize. :no:

[CA ASB]

Shakey -

Lily on trot works at UPS as does one of the other posters. mlinky (on trot) is a member of the Kentucky Horse Council. You need to trot on over to the Cheers section over there and see if you can rustle up some assistance there as well.

Good luck!

[Stacie]

I'm not sure how it is where you live, but most places are experiencing a serious nursing shortage. Hospitals are paying to have people go to school to get their nursing degrees.
Since you already have an associates, your science classes should not have expired and an LPN is a 2 year degree to begin with. So, I would do some research on what is offered in your area for nursing before giving up on that. In addition, there are grants for women returning to school. Plus, once you are in school, you can take out loans with low interest rates and very long terms.
Some medical offices will hire you as a receptionist while you get your nursing degree. It's very hard to find medically qualified staff.
Good Luck. I feel for you.

[JanM]

Shakey-go to the civilian personnel office on post at Knox and go to the NAF section. Lots of their openings are only posted there in the office and you fill the application out on the spot-prepare a resume and it will be easier to fill out the application. They are usually hourly jobs and some pay more than others but they hire people very quickly-regular civil service takes quite a while to get hired. Also if you do get a nursing degree they pay very well for nurses and health techs in federal facilities, and I don't know if they have a clinic or a real hospital they still need people and pay very well. NAF personnel in building 1109B and here is the application information: http://cpol.army.mil/library/naf/jobkit/ this is the job kit that explains everything about applying for NAF jobs. The list of jobs they accept applications for at all times: Recreation Aid, Sales Clerk, Cashier/Checker, Security Guard, Desk Clerk, Lifeguard, Water Safety, Water Safety Instructor, Food Service Worker, Waiter (Catering), Custodial Worker, Bartender, Laborer, Child & Youth Program Assistant and they have others posted weekly-and since the new fiscal year started they will have lots of openings. The guest housing (think hotels) hire desk people constantly. They really like to hire people that are permanent local residents-military spouses and dependents usually move every couple of years, and many organizations on post are moving to Fort Benning soon so those wives and dependents will move too. Also they are moving 2 huge organizations to Ft Knox and many of their employees won't be moving so they will need lots of clerical and admin people. Go and apply-at least you'll have money coming in and I think with unemployment you have to apply for jobs anyway. They also have a great outdoor recreation facility there and will need people to check equipment in and out, and that includes trailers-they love people that know about towing and trailer safety. You've had time to get over the initial shock so it's time to pick yourself up and try. I know you can handle this.

[shakeytails]

You guys are great! And a wonderful source of information! I'm absolutely not panicking and I do know I'll get through this one way or another. I'm optimistic that I'll get my old job back at least for a while, if not I'll do what I have to do and probably be better off in the end. I've always lived beneath my means, so things are OK for right now. I'm so thankful that I am not in a paycheck to paycheck situation! The ponies are not in any danger of going hungry. I might, but I could stand to lose a few pounds anyway, LOL!

[Alagirl]

hehehehe, see you haven't lost your sense of humor! :lol::lol::lol:

[Holly Jeanne]

There are a few resources here:

http://web.centre.edu/careerd/jobsearch/region.htm#kentucky

Good luck!!

[2bayboys]

shakeytails, best of luck to you and big {{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}

Also, may I applaud you for looking hard at ways to cut your expenses (you CAN live without cable and landline phone) and making difficult but necessary decisions regarding your animals. You seem extremely level-headed and sane. Therefore, you will turn out JUST FINE, if a little thinner ;) after this ordeal is over.

[JanM]

Shakey-this may be a good opportunity to still explore your options. Even if you get your job back you might want to explore other possibilities in case your job goes away due to the economy or other factors. Sometimes it takes an incident like this to start your life on another road. I forgot to mention that if you want a great job that has huge possibilties for lots of money and helps people too respiratory technician is a great one. I know someone who is still in school and does lots of outside assisting, and once he finishes school he can work at a hospital, clinic, doctor's offices, and maybe moonlight too and at a fantastic salary.

[PiedPiper]

With most at will states, but I can only really speak for VA, your employer is sent a separation notice that they need to fill out and return back. At the same time a conference call hearing is set up and the employer and the employee are sent the day and time.

In Virginia if either party does not make the hearing call, it usually goes in the direction of the lone caller. If both parties are on the call then both sides are questioned, employer first, and any witnesses should be on the call as well. After all parties have a chance to talk the hearing officer will mail out their decision. If the employee is granted unemployment then it is at the start of termination.

With either decision, both parties have a chance to appeal. An appeal hearing is set up and is usually another conference call. It is a little more strict. A decision is made again and there is one more chance for appeal.

At will does mean that anyone can be terminated but that does not excuse unemployment benefits. Though if it is at will it is more employer friendly than say West Virginia and especially California.

For my company, I have done over 50 unemployment hearings and I have only lost 5.

But you should have been given a reason for your termination as well as some sort of paperwork indicating what you did, ie what the infraction was, and had you sign it and given a copy.

Good luck with everything! Definitely talk to recruiters, and make sure your resume is updated to start sending out. Hit Jobfox, Monster, and CareerBuilder and start circulating your resume.

[2DogsFarm]

Just wanted to add my voice to the BTDT chorus.
I know it hurts getting sucker-punched like that and I won't bore you with my personal Tale(s) of Woe.

By all means DO apply for unemployment. At least you will have gotten the process started and if you get re-hired or find something else then you can always say "Never mind..."

KR - glad the spider bite hasn't affected your brain :winkgrin:
I may have to adopt that slogan of your ex's:
They can't eat me!
and if they try I will give them unending heartburn...and gas...