Job hunting at 27 weeks.... small rant.

Siblynika · October 2013

I lost my retail job a month ago due to missing three days in a six month period (a policy that management usually ignored). The only times I ever called in 'sick' or was tardy (which they would count against you if you clocked in more than ten minutes after the time your shift began) was when I had a doctors appointment and was told that I would not be scheduled then SURPRISE.... they would schedule. I would ask if I could start my shift AFTER my appointment or go during my lunch period, they said no problem. Apparently it was because I ended up getting fired for absences after being constantly reassured (by the same person who called me in to do my termination paper work...) that I was in the clear. Previously, I had been trying to transfer departments due to the physical labor required just to do the bare minimum requirements of my job. Of course, they said no other places were available. So why did the girl who had foot 'surgery' (the webbing between her TOES was severed and repaired) was allowed to transfer. I know for a fact that this happened after I put in my request to transfer.

I can't PROVE that I was fired for being pregnant, but it all seems pretty obvious to me. I'm so tired of being useless and my poor hubby selling his baby (his truck) in order to compensate for the loss of income. The same company has told me that I can reapply and probably get rehired but, shockingly, I would start at the bottom of the barrel again, my previous promotions wouldn't be honored and I would not qualify for maternity leave. My husband and I were living comfortably before, able to put away money every month and now, we're budgeting every penny. He's in the military, at least we don't have to worry about his job security. I am VERY reluctantly collecting unemployment (I HATE the idea that tax payer dollars are supporting my unemployed rear end).

I've gone in for a few interviews and, not that I blame them, they lose interest in hiring me as soon as I walk in. Who wants to hire someone who is going to be going in for doctors appointments (I'm considered 'high risk') and then maternity leave and possibly not returning to work which seems to be the trend around here. I know part of the problem is that I only have a HS diploma plus a job history of only working in the military and retail. I'm stressed, my husband is stressed, and there's a baby coming in the middle of all this. I was about to start classes for my CNA certification until I lost the job that was going to pay for it and get me out of this dead end cycle.

I do apologize for the length, I'm just getting physically sick from the stress which I know is horrible but telling someone to not stress because it's bad for the baby is a sure fire way to make them stress even more. Thank you if you actually read through all of this, I just needed an outlet to vent- virtual cookies to you all!

MeganWorden · October 2013

I am so sorry. I have no advice but ((big hugs)) T's and P's are with you. FX you find something soon.

megngregk · October 2013

I'm really sorry dear. It sounds like you have a good head on your shoulders. Keep up the search, there's something out there! Turn over is high in military towns with service members and their SO's constantly PCSing and ETSing...just try to stay positive!

[Deleted User] · October 2013

It might be a long shot but have you looked at trying to get an "online" job meaning you would work from home and possibly even have flexible hours? I know those jobs aren't easy to come by, but it might be something worth exploring. Good luck and my thoughts are with you. I know all about being strapped for money

jhunter89 · October 2013

Yuck! I'm sorry! No real advice here, just FX you find something!

Siblynika · October 2013

Thanks, everyone. It would just be nice if all of the big problems waited until AFTER my daughter was born to start piling up. I can deal with a crisis better if they all just waited their turn!

fredtheredhead2 · October 2013

I'm sorry you are having to go through this. It does sound fishy how the went about terminating you. Like megngregk said, turnover is high around military bases, so hopefully something will work out soon.

kosbo06 · October 2013

I'm sorry to hear that this happened to you. Sending positives thoughts that it all works out. Stay strong!

Chuckaluck315 · October 2013

Call your state EEOC and explain what happened, the accommodation you requested and the company response along with their accommodation to the webbed foot girl. Sometimes a strongly worded letter is enough to encourage a company to do the right thing. You are doing the best you can with a less than optimum hand of cards so keep up the good work.

xanadu94 · October 2013

Don't feel guilty about collecting unemployment. This is a benefit that YOU have been paying into your entire working career. It is meant to be there to help you while you are still searching for a new job, which you are. If you just purposefully try to get fired from jobs to sit on your butt collecting unemployment, then I would understand the guilt.

As for a new job, could you get creative and do a work-from-home type job? Perhaps set something up with another mom or two to watch kids part-time? Or maybe you could do something like Avon or Mary Kay? That would be a way to help supplement your income in the meantime. With a retail background, you could also get a seasonal job for the holidays, just before your due date. Good luck!

joshsmandy · October 2013

I'm so sorry you lost your job. Don't feel bad about collecting unemployment, your pregnant and you paid into it also. Try looking at it that way

aessary03 · October 2013

Sorry that you're having a rough time. Have you tried calling around to nursing homes? There are some that will put you through the CNA class free of charge to you if you agree to work for them afterward. The skilled rehab I work for used to do this until very recently. Might be worth a look into. And CNAs are in such high demand, that they'd still hire you even if you are pregnant!

lolinshag · October 2013

Do you have any dicumentation of them granting days off or saying sonething was ok to do? Even a text? If so take it to the EEOC people and file a complaint along with the webbed foot girl thing.

Also the baby sitting thing or some seasonal retail could work great like PPs said.

Sorry you are having to deal with this!

laceymrichardson · October 2013

I would take advantage of the JAG office and go explain your story to a judge advocate. They should be able to help you with Equal Op and Fam leave act laws. Wishing you the best!

ksonne · October 2013

No advice, just wanted to say sorry and send positive thoughts your way on your job search

km_md · October 2013

I am becoming more and more disgusted with the job market and big companies every day. I'm so sorry that you have to go through this right now. Losing a job always sucks but it is so much harder when you have a baby on the way. I hope that you are able to find something new (and better than this crappy place!) really soon ((hugs))

apickett925 · October 2013

That sucks! Was it a big retail store? I know a lot of stores are posting their holiday help signs now, maybe apply to a few and see what you can get? I don't know if you'd make more then you get on unemployment, but it's worth a shot. And they're only looking for people to work through the first week of January anyway, so someone that would be leaving around then anyway would be perfect! When I worked for Target, we always had at least one or two part time cashiers that were pregnant (and lots of moms of young kids too!)

peanutmuse · October 2013

Siblynika said:

The same company has told me that I can reapply and probably get rehired but, shockingly, I would start at the bottom of the barrel again, my previous promotions wouldn't be honored and I would not qualify for maternity leave.

Do you have this part, especially the last line, in writing from them anywhere? That seems pretty clear to me that you were fired because you are pregnant, to be completely honest.

twobluelines · October 2013

I just want to add my voice in saying do something to fight what happened to you. That sounds like mounds of bullshit and I know is illegal in Canada.

susieandmarty · October 2013

It sounds like a rough situation. I would say your work has acted unjustly. While you explore that - perhaps seasonal of holiday retail is available to you. They are looking to hire experienced people now and if should be done before baby gets here

Mommasay0 · October 2013

I'm sorry you're going through this.

rowanthefrog · October 2013

Well, if it makes you feel any better, tax payer dollars aren't paying for your unemployment...your last job is. Isn't that weird?

If you truly think you were fired for being pregnant then I would consider contacting the EEOC https://www.eeoc.gov/ (except I see they are closed bc of the govt shutdown.) You can file a complaint and see what happens.

A

Siblynika · October 2013

Wow this was was nice to wake up to

just reminds me why I stopped simply lurking the boards and started participating.

To whomever asked about maternity leave- yes, I'm sure I would not qualify if I went back to the company- their policy is that you'd have to work there for a minimum of six months in order to qualify.

Also to those who said some nursing homes offer free CNA training- a HUGE thank you! I had no idea that was even possible but apparently, the one I actually don't live too far from DOES provide training. I'm calling them today to see when I could possibly start the classes. Thankyoux1000 this is just what I needed to get out of the self pity rut I was digging my heels into.

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Job hunting at 27 weeks.... small rant.

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