:furious: When it rains it pours here!

As some of you know, the Old Man's hours were cut... well, the boss (I refuse to call him a man) just called here, and told the Old Man that he knows that he is looking for another job, so to come in and get his final check.

He was fired... for looking for another job! Of course he won't say that... it's one word against the other, and the boss has the ability to say whatever, the burdeon of proof lies on the Old Man...

So now, here were are, no income, none going to come in... and unemployment is a no-go since the bossman had cut his hours he doesn't qualify because there wasn't enough accumulated time or whatever.

I am still trying to apply for food stamps, but at this point, I am hoping one of us gets a job, the food stamp person is rude. I tried setting an appointment and he said "I mail you papers, you no come in" I swear to goddess, thats what he said to me. When I tried to expedite the papers, I was told "I mail you papers, you know in 30 days".

Frustrated. Scared. Broke.

Tough times suck don't they? But they always end. This one will end and you'll look back on all the things you learned from it and come out with some valuable information. Its sucks that you have to go through this. Just keep posting and we'll keep your spirits up for you!! Hugs!!

I'm so sorry for all the garbage you're dealing with. I hope things look up soon. How aggravating it must be that you can't get the food stamps right away. That's the government for you.

Oh my goodness! How rude. Have you heard back from the store, yet? I may have missed a post.

I'll be thinking of you.

Wait.. I'm confused as to why he doesn't qualify for unemployment. I'd recommend filing again based upon unfair termination.

If he's worked for as long as you state, he should qualify.

You may need to visit a website and read more. But, I'd contest the finding at this point... and/or open another claim.

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=elwdconstituent&L=2&L0=Home&L1=Claimants&sid=Elwd

I know this is scary. Wish I could do more. Good luck!

I will ditto suki as far as unemployment.

I would also maybe stop by where ever the office is for Food Stamps. I know here in NY state they have computers you can use to fill out an expedited application and see if you qualify and even get an estimate of how much you will get each month.

I also am very confused about why can't get unemployment. I don't know about your state, but in mine it goes back several quarters. So depending on how long he had been at that job he might not even been drawing off of them.

I also was fired from my job of 5 1/2 years last summer because I had a job interview somewhere else. I was asked if I had a job interview and I said yes, the exact words out of my bosses mouth was, "that's what I needed, get your things and leave." He did try and fight my unemployment, but I ended up and got it. Although it took almost 2 months!

Good Luck and I hope things start looking up!

So sorry this is happening to you....time to put on your frugal black belt and apply as many money saving strategies as possible!!!:hubba:

I am so sorry for you. I will keep you in my thoughts. They can't fire you for looking for other job can they?

That is sooo not fair! First he takes away his hours, then fires him for trying to find work to fill that time and provide for his family??? I'm so sorry . . . praying a much better job comes along really soon! :hugz:

No, Kat, they can't.

Well, I guess they CAN... but they'll have to pay.

If I was your dh I would be in that mans office right now giving him the what for! Just how did he expect your dh to take having his hours cut to the bone? I man has to eat?!?!?!? He should threaten a law suit and see how he likes that.


I can feel the pain in your post and I am truly sorry. We are here for you.

I am sorry, I would try filing for unemployment too. Have you checked out a food bank to help tide you over for now, it might help in the mean time.

My heart goes out to you. Try and take a deep breath and remember we are all here to support you.

As far as the food stamps. Either stop by the local office and apply then if possible. Another option is to check with your church or a local one if you are not affiliated, also a local community center. Tell them your situation. Lots of times these places can help cut through the tape as far as getting you in to speak with someone and getting assistance quicker. You may qualify for emergency aid which would mean once you applied you would recieve the food stamps right then and there. Also, they may be able to help you find local food pantry's.

Take care and let us know how you are doing.

WOW what a tough spot to be in. I think you've gotten great suggestions, plz follow thru on trying to get the FS. I jsut wanted to let you know you another person thinking and praying for you.......PLEASE keep up posted.

How awful for you!

I hope things get better ASAP!

Please check into Angel Food Ministries. In come is not of importance and it is a great program. You pay 28 and get 60 dollars worth of groceries. They have a website and it helps through hard times. God bless.....

Please check into Angel Food Ministries. In come is not of importance and it is a great program. You pay 28 and get 60 dollars worth of groceries. They have a website and it helps through hard times. God bless.....

Please check into Angel Food Ministries. In come is not of importance and it is a great program. You pay 28 and get 60 dollars worth of groceries. They have a website and it helps through hard times. God bless.....

Last time I checked, it costs $30 for a bag of angel food and when I got angel food a couple months ago for the first time, it most surely was not worth $60. After I did some investigation of my own and made a list of what I got from angel food and did some price comparison checking at my local grocery stores, I realized I could have purchased the same amount of food for about $15 at one store without even having to shop around. So I no longer believe the hype. It angers me to think that anyone might be taken advantage of so that is why I speak up when the topic of angel food comes up again.

The church or organization that sells you the angel food also gets money for each purchase they make (I think it's a dollar right now) -- did everyone know that? So it's not as if they are only being charitable, they get a cut of the profit too.

Please check into Angel Food Ministries.

I have, there isn't one in Massachusetts, and, there doesn't seem to be a vegetarian option so even if there was one, it would do us no good. I have checked in to Share as well, same thing, meat meat meat :lol:

There is nothing new to report. Had the pre-employment screening yesterday... will have to wait to hear back from them.

Thank you everyone for your thoughts, prayers and advice. Old Man is going to try applying for unemployment on Monday. I think he is going to go in to the office. Harder to not help someone who is sitting there looking at you.

And, to answer someone's question.... YES, they can fire you for looking for another job. They can fire you because they have a hair across their behinds too, they just don't -say- thats why they terminated you. If people actually read their employee manuals, you'd be surprised how sugar-coated it is... you are an employee-at-will... they want a 2 week notice, but can get rid of you because the wind blew.

I just wanted to say good luck and also to say definately sign up for the unemployment. I was laid off from a job several years ago when I was in the hospital. According to them excessive absenteeism. I had kidney stones and was in the hospital for a week. That was all I had missed. I filed unemployment and was able to draw even though they gave me a bad lay off slip. I had had to see 3 doctors so I had letters from them.

You're correct. They can terminate you for any reason in an employment-at-will situation. However, it doesn't mean they won't pay for terminating you without cause. As for unemployment insurance and civil litigation... an employer still must have just cause for terminating the work relationship.

So, they can fire you... but it will cost them.

sending good thoughts

I am also sending you good thoughts and praying that your situation turns around quickly.

Sending good thoughts that something better will come out of this

Sorry this has happened, Lady V. Im keeping my fingers crossed for y'all that it works out for the unemployment and the FS. :hugz:


--Michelle

Lady V. I too am sending good thoughts your way.

Yep, if one is an at will employee they are pretty much screwed if their boss so chooses.

The only thing i can recommend while waiting for the food stamp people to pull the pin out of their butts and do their job with a bit of compassion... is to go to your local city or town office and apply for General Assistance along with food pantries. It isn't much but it may take the sting off a bit until your FS come through.

Now, if it were me and I really wanted to wedge another pin into the ever so helpful DHS dude, while applying for FS, check into Emergeny Assistance through the State. I think they mostly cover rent and or mortgage issues but at least it could help.

I'm sorry this is happening to you...I hope he is able to find an even better job soon!

Just a couple thoughts....Is there a food bank in your city in which you might qualify? We have a couple food banks here. Does your utility company have a assitance program for unemployed/underemployed persons?

I know that here in Ohio they look at 18 months to fig unemployment...not just how long you have worked at one job. I can't rem where they start to count the 18 months though-it prob isn't 18 months before you were laid off. Also there is United Way...which can help you get in contact w food pantries and such...they also have other programs...ask...I'm not sure what they all have. You can dial 211 or 1-800-917-3224. They are all over the US.

Sending positive thoughts and prayers your way.
Stay strong you are getting great advice here.

I hope that your significant other finds a job really soon.

Are there any food banks in your area? My mother-in-law is elderly and there is a food bank where she lives. She does not drive so a couple of times a month she goes down to the food bank and she gets some really nice things. Sometimes the foods are all natural and the dressings, canned fruits and canned vegetables are vegetarian. She also gets peanut butter.

I am curious. How did the boss find out that your SO was looking for another job? Did one of his co-workers tell on him?

I am curious. How did the boss find out that your SO was looking for another job? Did one of his co-workers tell on him?

One of the places he applied at must have called for a reference. He knows better than to mention anything to the people he worked with... you had a shoelace out of place and the entire restaurant knew about it... and yes, he marked off the option to -not- contact current employer... but that doesn't mean they won't.

Lady V, I am thinking about you. I am so sorry for all your trouble right now. I know you will come out smelling like roses at the end of this, have faith in what you believe in and you will come out on top.

Lady V my thought`s are with you. we are all here for you. it doesn`t lok like it now, But thing`s will get better.
Don`t let them get away with BS .
Hug`s
cissylu.
I agree on the church pantries ,there to help.

My thoughts are with you and your family. Times are tough now and I understand your fears and frustration. You are right about the "employee at will" thing. Employers really do not need much of a reason, generally, to let you go. I will be laid off as of the end of this month, due to massive, cost cutting layoffs at my employer. (They are making $$ hand over fist in profits but it is never enough I guess).

I did have 6 months notice so I knew it was coming though and do have a few months of severance coming. But there are not a whole lot of jobs out there in my area....god knows I have been looking!

I will be thinking good thoughts for you to get through this rough patch.

Hey, Lady_V,

I truly feel for you and hope that things are looking up soon.

I am glad that your SO has gone ahead and applied for unemployment. I had an experience a couple of years ago (right here in MA, too), where the tech company I worked for reduced everyone's hours (I went from FT to three-days-a-week). It didn't really bother me, because I was pregnant with #2, and glad to spend more time with my oldest DS. Then, a couple of months later, they decided that my reduced schedule was not working out for them -- they claimed that it was causing bills to be paid late (...and they were paid late... because the company was on the verge of bankruptcy, not because of my work schedule... but I digress...). They required me to go back to full-time and accept responsibility for all of the late payments. In a dim-bulb, hormone-induced moment, I quit.

And, even with all those strikes against me -- quitting, technically being reprimanded "for cause" due to the late payments, not being able to work the hours that they needed, etc, I STILL qualified for unemployment.

SO... there is hope. :) I am sure your SO will qualify... and, while you will still be tight, at least maybe you will be able to keep the wolf from the door.

Good luck to you! I'll be thinking about you.

I don't have any advice to offer, and I'm sorry for that.
But I do hope that something changes for the better for you soon.

I'm sure your Old Man has as good a head on his shoulders as you have... and well if nothing else, at least he's got you! ;)

You're level headed and able to see through this dark time and I believe you both will come out on top... it's a matter of patience, I would say.

We're here to support you, and I wish I could offer more help.

Keep up informed... we've got our fingers crossed for ya! :)

Dear Lady V----The exact same thing happened to my single-Mom daughter about 2 years ago. She was working as a Unit Clerk in a local hospital, night shift, but finding the night shift very difficult; she was not a good day-sleeper. She was doing a good job, though.
She applied for a day position, doing same thing , at the hospital where I had been a staff nurse & she did check the thing about not contacting your employer. By Golly, the second hospital did contact the place where she was working & she was fired for applying to a different place.
To top it all off, she made a couple of VERY minor errors the first week & was fired from the second one. I have never felt exactly the same about the hospital where I worked for so long.
I wish your family well. I know you will come through this.
Best Wishes, katkat

Lady V -

I'm sorry things are so tight for you right now. I'm sending good thoughts your way. (and a suggestion) While waiting for the food stamps have you looked into the local churches??? There are several of the smaller Catholic churches here that have food/cloth pantrys open a couple of days a week in the morning. You don't have to be Catholic to qualify (and they just give you the stuff). Generally the parishes that offer these services are in lower income or older population (think senior citicens) areas. Our big churches here have nothing but grandioseness but the smaller ones seem to act more in line with how one would expect a church to act. The begginning of the month should be easier to find more access to a larger variety of "stuff" as well since most of the people that rely on these pantries go to them when thier checks for the month run out. My grandmother has volunteered at the parish pantry where she lives for years and has subbed out at some of the other pantrys, being a vegatarian shouldn't mean they can't help you. Here they stock heavily in peanut butter, beans, cereal, toilet paper, canned veggies, soup, rice, and local scratch and dent. The only perishables most of the time is bread.

Praying and sending good thoughts your way.