tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717865473054614516.post5997772251711009868..comments2023-11-05T03:16:48.425-08:00Comments on BooneDocksWilcox: blog therapyJoanna@BooneDocksWilcoxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11889259406024845745noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717865473054614516.post-22459448035308356572013-01-06T15:23:59.869-08:002013-01-06T15:23:59.869-08:00Oh, thank you for your kindness, Joanna. Companie...Oh, thank you for your kindness, Joanna. Companies can state that they only have need for part-time workers and that's what they did. Then they said, "well...since you are part-time you don't qualify for any benefits," so those went. They were perfectly legal about it - in fact it was an attorney's office. Ha!<br /><br />Mediation from an outside source usually has a minimal fee - ten to fifteen dollars a session was quoted to me when I needed it.<br /><br /><br />My lady works for a little newspaper now. It's part-time so no benefits...but her nerve damage in her arms won't let her work more than 28 hours a week. She's good at economizing for herself but feeds us well.IsobelleGoLightlyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10233377230754119180noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717865473054614516.post-51368713129423341712013-01-06T10:51:19.010-08:002013-01-06T10:51:19.010-08:00Joanna, wrote you privately, but my prayers are wi...Joanna, wrote you privately, but my prayers are with you. Mary Ann https://www.blogger.com/profile/08136211832739830031noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717865473054614516.post-42403801538063406622013-01-06T09:24:39.599-08:002013-01-06T09:24:39.599-08:00IGL, I like the mediation suggestion, gotta figure...IGL, I like the mediation suggestion, gotta figure out where I'd go for that, and I already know that the expense would come from my pocket. <br /><br />Now, I'm worried about you. How did they legally cut your hours? You're alone caring for your pets? If a big bag of money ever falls out of the sky, I'll remember you.Joanna@BooneDocksWilcoxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11889259406024845745noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717865473054614516.post-20134356554434589542013-01-06T09:18:29.147-08:002013-01-06T09:18:29.147-08:00Sandy, it's stupid but we do not have an HR de...Sandy, it's stupid but we do not have an HR dept. For years, I've begged for an HR person. The Finance Officer enters the new employees into the computer. I review personnel policy stuff with 'em. <br /><br />We do have an 8-person Board. I can begin a GRIEVANCE process to get this on record, and guess I'll have to. I'm mentally tired, exhausted. I gotta get some fight in me.Joanna@BooneDocksWilcoxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11889259406024845745noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717865473054614516.post-69619748339283548212013-01-06T03:04:49.408-08:002013-01-06T03:04:49.408-08:00(Isobelle's lady here) In 1998 I sustained an ...(Isobelle's lady here) In 1998 I sustained an injury at a job where I thought I was valued and I worked very, very hard. After the injury the employers decided I was a liability and they wanted me out. They couldn't technically fire me because I hadn't done anything wrong, so they cut my hours, then cut my benefits because my hours were cut...and so on. I did have an attorney and she said this is sometimes the way it goes. If they want you out, they want you out. <br /><br />I'd get some advice about termination/leaving from someone with legal knowledge. In some states you do not receive unemployment if you voluntarily quit, even if you feel you are quitting because you are forced to. On the other hand, it's very hard to continue working in a place of employment where there is such hostility.<br /><br />I'd suggest mediation from an outside party to see if you can get to the bottom of why your employers are hostile towards you. Perhaps misunderstandings or personality differences have escalated to the point where no one is acting rationally. It's worth a try.<br /><br />I'm sorry about the scariness of the whole thing. I lost my benefits in 1998 and have been without since then, mostly because I can't work full time anymore and part timers don't get benefits most places. It's just me caring for myself, my household and my pets, so I do understand. <br /><br />Try the mediation, and see if you can get it from someone completely outside the company. In my state there are free services available by volunteer people. Hope this helps. You are not alone.IsobelleGoLightlyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10233377230754119180noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717865473054614516.post-3067424397484929712013-01-05T20:50:11.955-08:002013-01-05T20:50:11.955-08:00is this a government job...state, county? there h...is this a government job...state, county? there has to be an hr dept if so...who does the paperwork when someone new is hired? payroll? surely there is someone higher up than the two "bosses" that you referred to. if all else fails, tell them that you will retire if they pick up your medical expenses BUT GET IT IN WRITING!!! (also, keep a written account of ALL the incidences...who said what and when. it may be your saving grace if something should happen.)Sandyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12018811286255767003noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717865473054614516.post-24864138481139719472013-01-05T19:15:09.703-08:002013-01-05T19:15:09.703-08:00I can't give any advice, but sending virtual h...I can't give any advice, but sending virtual hugs your way. (I would say that you might contact the EEOC, or something equivalent, they might be able to help... Other than that, I got nothin'...)<br /><br />CatCathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16085463730809297977noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717865473054614516.post-69788757191465233752013-01-05T19:05:46.777-08:002013-01-05T19:05:46.777-08:00Well, writing the post was like getting some free ...Well, writing the post was like getting some free therapy. I really appreciate the support from y'all. I'm in a pouting stage right now and hoping I'll find some strength but my self esteem is shot. For 30 years, I've had the mindset of sticking it out, "keeping my nose to the grindstone." At a cocktail party, I'm the one in the corner, but I excel at churning out good work quickly. <br /><br />We can't any homeowners ins either. Hope you can.Joanna@BooneDocksWilcoxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11889259406024845745noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717865473054614516.post-3881747141739248902013-01-05T17:29:47.698-08:002013-01-05T17:29:47.698-08:00I'm so sorry Joanna. It sounds very awful. I...I'm so sorry Joanna. It sounds very awful. I'm not where you are yet, but I can definitely understand what you are going through. I feel I do excellent work too, but because I don't like to just hang out and chat all through work hours (because SOMEONE has to get the work done), I know that I might be one of the first 'voted off the Island' too. It is all very bizarre, this new work ethic, everything seems so backwards. I hope someone can offer you good advice, as was Melanie's. My current struggle is with getting home owners insurance. As of 12/31 my home is un-insured. It is an older home and I burn with wood, and I've jumped a thousand hoops and am now waiting to see if I've been turned down yet again. Again I'm so sorry for what you are going through. Who knows though, by putting this post up perhaps a clearer plan can emerge and you can find some help.<br />Take care,<br />Tammy Tammyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02131066591477169851noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717865473054614516.post-74615032496250265372013-01-05T16:29:09.421-08:002013-01-05T16:29:09.421-08:00That's good Melanie, thank you very much. We d...That's good Melanie, thank you very much. We don't have an HR dept. For years, I begged for us to hire an HR person, and they act like I'm being silly. Also, I should have mentioned that I am in a service industry paid for by taxpayers, this is not private dollars. Joanna@BooneDocksWilcoxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11889259406024845745noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717865473054614516.post-30448227097911996432013-01-05T13:45:19.358-08:002013-01-05T13:45:19.358-08:00Does HR have someone who can go into these meeting...Does HR have someone who can go into these meetings with you? Sounds pretty stacked against you. If so, ask for a sit-down to lay out the issues BUT include a plan to help you meet their goals. It forces them to think about what changes they want (you can decide later if you want/can meet them) and does not allow them to just leave you hanging or think they can just put you out. It puts the weight on their shoulders to lay out a plan you can follow to meet their needs. melaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12252897236597700469noreply@blogger.com