I lost my job....very depressed and angry.

I'm so sorry.
Hissy said it well, though - often when one door closes another opens.

I do wish these companies would use a little more common sense. They don't seem to realize that American employees are also American consumers - who won't be able to purchase their goods & services if they're out of work!

I missed the lump story. I'm praying that you're OK, and that things will look up for you soon.

I am sooooo sory Debby . That is why I don't buy protucts made els where , I always look at made in USA and I will buy . If we all do that the company will have to change . ... ((((((( HUGS ))))))) I will be praying for a better job for you , much better job . Hang in there girl

Debby, if you want to go to college, I am sure you can get pell grant - which will help towards tuiton. Good Luck!

debby,
I just saw this thread, and I am sorry YOu know last year, I lost my job, too. At first I was mad, then I was happy because I knew I would no longer have to work in a fab and also work long hours at nights. HThe only thing that truly sucked is I took a BIG paycut going from $14+ to a little over $10.00 so that's the part we still have problems with.
have you found out if they are giving you an involuntary severance package? I am sure with you working 14 years, it may be a generous one with medical benefits. I would definitely find out, though. Also, if I remember right, In Arizona, when people lost their jobs at the place, they were also able to get unemployment on top of the ISP. Are there temp agencies close by? Don't say you can't do anything else, either because you can The school idea is also a good suggestion. Both hubby and I are going to UofP.

Debby,
I feel for you. Have been there done that.
I know you feel really bad right now. Take a little time for yourself, apply for unemployment, and try going to a agency tell them your situation you may find something that way.

I have found jobs when I least expected it, through friends who knew a friend that needed someone. Hang in there.

Think of something you really would like to do, and go for it.

I'm sorry to hear about this. I can sympathize to the extent that I was fired last year from a job I did pretty well, because of new management who preferred 'yes-people' which isn't a habit I've ever developed.

One problem with companies moving production out of the country is that many Americans don't think about the impact on other Americans when they buy things that cost less. I remember a number of years ago when clothing manufacturers added tags that said something like 'made in America with pride', which I don't think they do anymore.


Debby, I haven't read about your medical condition but if it does require treatment, and your company offers COBRA benefits after lay-off, meaning that you can buy health insurance through them at their price, you should think about doing that. Although subsequent laws do give you some leeway, you can still get hit with a 'pre-existing' condition issue if you are un-insured for too long of a time before
insurance from a subsequent job kicks in.

I don't know whether you belong to a union or not, and how that impacts COBRA benefits. But you should definitely investigate that either with a union rep or the human resources department. ( I wouldnt discuss your med condition with the HR department though!.)I believe COBRA laws apply to just about everyone.

You can read more about it to some degree here:

Dept of Labor Health benefits

There are links on the right to COBRA and HIPAA which both apply here.

I lost my job in June of 2001. My manufacturing plant also closed down. I drew unemployment and also had surgery due to a workers comp. injury from that job. My advice is get the lump checked out now.
Do not wait to be laid off. If you are covered by a health insurance program do it now!!!! If you wait it will be worse to get insurance straightened out. Also if you are covered by health care program some of them pay you something while you are off on medical leave. Then when you are laid off you can draw unemaployment. Please do not do what I did and wait until after you are laid off. It is very complicated that way. If you have to have surgery or anything like that you can not draw unemployment at the same time. You have to physically be able to work to draw unemployment. I will also advise finding a job as soon as possible. Employers seem to want people who are already employed or recently laid off. When I am asked during an interview what I have been doing with myself since the plant closed and I reply "Going to computer school" that is ussually the last I hear from them. They do not seem to want someone who is taking the time to improve themselves.

Sorry to be so long. Don't do like I did and be stuck in a rut. It is so depressing looking for work every day and not finding anything. I will add you to my prayers. Best of luck.

Oh Debby, I'm so sorry. You have every right to be depressed and angry - it's so unfair that so many jobs are leaving the country. I wish I had something uplifting to say that would cheer you up, but I know it's not a fun situation.

Debby, this is so sad. I am so sorry. It´s always frustrating to loose a job, and even more so when you´ve been working there for so long.
I agree with the others, take some time to enjoy Amber. Another good point is that this years you will have plenty of time to get ready for Christmas, even make some Christmas presents. It´s wonderful to be able to enjoy the tima before Christmas without beeing running around in stress.
Don´t forget to take care of youself!

Awwwww...Debby! I was hoping that this wouldn't happen! Big hugs coming your way girlfriend.

You know that I've been having troubles myself, so if you want to vent, you have my email!

Thanks for caring guys! As for the lump...they did some blood work friday and my white cell count is good, so that's a positive sign. The lump is between my armpit and breast...more towards the armpit. The Dr. says it may just be an infected lympth node...he put me on antibiodics and I have to wait 2 weeks to see if it goes away...if not they will do a biopsy.

I did check into COBRA and the cost to maintain my current insurance after working, was going to be outrageous!!! No way could we afford it. I will go on my husbands insurance when the time comes, instead.

Just not sure what to do right now. I might have the oportunity to transfer to another factory that is owned by the same company in another town...but I'm not sure wether to try to do that.. or collect unemployment and stay home with Amber for awhile...maybe take some college classes in computer or something...I just don't have a clue what is the best thing to do.

I only have a few minutes online tonight but will be back tomorrow after work I hope.

Debby - I am so sorry you are having such a rough time right now! I will keep you in my prayers both health and job wise. If you can get a transfer find out from your employment benefits if you would still be entitled if you refuse the transfer. If you are ask them about retraining.

Good luck!

Debby-

My heart goes out to you.
I think you will miss the people more than the actually job. They are probably like family to you after so many years. And let's face it. . . . change is hard for everyone.

On the bright side. . . . (Hissy took the words out of my mouth) - "When one door closes, another opens" Sometimes we are forced to make changes in our lives by the powers that be. You'll see in the long run that it was for the best. Right now you feel just terrible about it.

Try to be excited about new & better opportunities that this will bring into your life. . . . more time with your baby, polishing up on your job skills. . . . maybe learning new ones. . . .

Unemployment sucks, but it's $$ and buys you time until you find something else. Hopefully your company offers a severance package.

When I was laid off as a bank teller (the bank was taken over by the Feds and consolidated with another branch). . . . I was also going through a divorce at the same time! It gave me the time to get my life in order. . . and to be there for my two children. It was the best thing that could have happened to me!

I wrote a resume. . . . applied for several jobs. . . . and landed one as a medical secretary at a hospital. . . . 10 years later I'm still there. . . . and have been promoted.

It will be rough. . . . but it will all work out. . . you'll see.

(I pray that your lump disappears with the course of antibiotics.)

Laurie

Debby... I'm so sorry to hear that. I had no idea about your lump either... Thank God it's good news so far.

Sorry to hear sbout your job. Hang in there...

Just keep telling yourself that everything happens for a reason. And think:

Better days ahead.


(((hugs)))

I can understand you work situation. My plant is in the process of closing by the end of the year. Being outsourced to Mexico. Me and my husband will both be laid off in October. We have no idea what we are going to do but we both know we will not be getting back into manufacturing!

We are looking into home based opportunities right now. In a way, getting laid off is a good thing because its a chance to do something different. I mean, thats how I have to see it otherwise I'd go buts! Going back to school is an option but you still have to pay the mortgage, bills, etc.

Sorry to hear about your 'discovery'. My MIL had a lump on her throat near her lymph node and she was so scared going into surgery. Luckily it was benign and they just removed it.

Hope it is the same for you!

:kitty5: :flower:

Debby, I know how you are feeling. I was laid off last Wednesday and am overwhelmed at the prospect of what to do. I am my only income so things could get ugly very fast! Just my medications alone are in upwards of $3,000 a month and I need my insurance. I too am trying to remain positive but it is difficult. I tend to be over critical of myself and internalize things and then things can spiral down quickly for me.

I know it doesn't help much but I just wanted you to know you're not alone!

There is no severance pay. I don't think I want to try to transfer to the other factory...if I got laid off from there in a few months I would have no chance at getting some help through NAFTA to go to college, and if I hated it there I would just be totally out of luck bcause if I quit I wouldn't get any unemployment...I have also heard some negative things about that place...I don't know if it is true or not, but I have heard people there are very "clicky" and if they don't like you, they find some way to get rid of you. Can't afford to take that chance...at least this way I do get unemployment for awhile and time to spend with Amber, and if this NAFTA thing goes through, I could get some college training as well.

Once again I have very little time online tonight, Brent just got home with Amber a bit ago and she is sleeping, but will wake up soon.

Thanks for youre prayers and well wishes.

Severance isn't all it's cracked up to be! Not much more then a short vacation that you can't enjoy because you're worrying about totally loosing your income in a few weeks! Don't get me wrong.... I'm grateful for it. It just doesn't seem any different then unemployment.

Thank God, with a baby and all, you still at least have your husband's income! And like you said, you get to spend some time with your precious little daughter. That is priceless! I'm not trying to minimize your worries. Believe me. Just trying to see the positive in every situation. It's what I've had to do for myself the last 6 days too!

Not to worry you but make sure you check to see that it doesn't affect your eligibility for unemployment if you turn down a transfer. Hang in there! There's lots of us in the same situation. I'd like to ask ole George W. Bush where's the economy getting better?? Not in my neck of the woods!

Peace-Out!

Tammie

man, that really sucks, i totally agree about the jobs going south of the border, but we were all warned about the free trade and all by none other than ole Ross Petro, do you all rem him, i rem when he said do you here that big sucking sound? well thats your jobs going away, and i know he was silly acting but he knew what he was talking about, but also if our C.E.O.s didnt need to be paid Millions and Billions a year that would help, its not all at the bottom labor pole, its mostly at the top... but after saying all that, i sure hope you get something going again, you will have faith, i know i would be frecking out if i lost my job today, i have been with this same job now for 21yrs. and it is Gen. Mills, we produce food, you never know it could be me next... lots of ((((Hugs))) and prayers going your way... hang in there!!!

Very sorry for you, I have been there before. For some reason I couldn't get unemployment. I did go to college.