Unemployment Sucks Part 3: Me, Hardships, and Unemployment Benefits

A lot of people never have to think about being terminated, and I pray that most never will.  Quite frankly, termination cuts to the bone. In my case, the rug was totally pulled from under me. One day I had a job, the next day, I didn't. I claim unjust termination because of the facts surrounding my termination, and that I received unemployment benefits in spite of my former employer's sly attempt to tap dance around the truth and employee laws. I believe greatness shall come from my experiences. That these horrible transgressions shall be a thing of the past to share with others.

Being terminated for any reason leaves a person in a vulnerable financial and psychological state. After all, how do you explain why you don't have a job anymore to family and friends?  How do you tell your former co-workers what happened to you?  How do you pay your bills, your rent, car repairs, groceries, and subscriptions you may have (like HBO,  magazines, group dues, etc.)? It's quite the hardship, let me tell you.

Adjusting is the hard part. I love my life and the things it brought me to be better in life and succeed.  To give these things up is a huge step backwards.  In fact it puts me near the poverty line. This is very, very scary. At the same time prayer, meditation, family and friends really help lift my spirits.

Loss of my steady income means sometimes I must pay my bills late, and that's a pet peeve of mine. Promptness with bills affords me security and happiness as opposed to bringing my stress levels to new heights, which happens all the time now. Without a steady job, I have no steady income.  I reluctantly kissed the old lifestyle goodbye.  I really can't really relocate for another job because the new apartment complex will want to know how I'm going to pay them, and they don't accept that I "might" get a job. What's that to anyone? Where to do I find the money to relocate? As a friend pointed out to me, in my case, one viable option available to me is moving in with a relative.  

Unemployment benefits saved me from the complete financial crisis that unjust termination brought into my life.  According to employee law; Section 34-8-194 former employees can't collect unemployment benefits if he or she is the cause of their termination.  For example, lateness on a daily basis could not only be grounds for termination, it would mean I couldn't collect unemployment benefits due to it being my fault I was terminated.  For that matter any company violations would apply here.  There were no company violations on my part. I received unemployment benefits.

Unemployment Sucks Part 2: Where'd That Insurance Go?

For those not in the know the benefits from many full-time jobs are amazing and I loved having insurance.  The power of insurance should never be underestimated. my insurance covered medical expenses.  For a chronic allergy sufferer such as myself, prescribed meds work the best, as my allergies went out of control to a point of barely manageable.  It's not pretty, allergy symptoms, but having coverage was worth it's expense.  Dental and eye exams are very important to me as well.  For those of us who are nearsighted having check-ups mean a lot. I did need to get my health check ups in as well, since I'm not getting younger.

On the job front: New application and my resume submitted to another place of employment.  Let's hope that "kiss of death" is washed out  (I doubt it).  I, however repeat, I'm not giving up. Prayer and meditation helps a lot.  The things I do helps keep me calm, focused, and positive. What I draw additional inspiration from is that I am my own man, and I survive in spite of the things thrown at me.  That's a Haynes thing. Never give up. Never surrender.  Also keep it moving.  Let other people wallow in misery.  The best has yet to come, and we will thrive.    

Unemployment Sucks: Part 1

It doesn't matter how you got to the road of unemployment (unjust termination, just termination, layoff, company bankrupt), it simply sucks.  This is my story of unemployment, and the hopeful road to survival, recovery, and triumph over adversity. My hopes with these posts are to help/inspire those in the same situations to grow and be inspired.  Sometimes all we need is someone to support and encourage us for success. If you're struggling like I am, then you know giving up is not an option.

Being someone who was unjustly terminated, I can tell you that the main point for me right now is to attempt to restore my financial status and obtain gainful employment elsewhere. I can say, with experience, placing the word "termination" on any application is like the kiss of death. It suggests to some that you weren't a good employee, however any forced termination is undefined.  For example, you could have loss your job due to transportation failures, accidents, and unforseen actions beyond your control. I'm fortunate I receive unemployment benefits, which helps me out some.

Needless to say I think trying to lie on applications is a mistake. It does feel like chains on the shoulder. A burden one's forced to deal with.  At the same time, I know my strengths, track record, and skills I offer.  It's a lot of work to keep up keeping on.  Never giving up is the best motto at this stage.

The Allergy Post

These are the days I miss not having insurance because over the counter allergy medicines are a mixed bag.  I've tried several of them and none of them really work like prescribed meds. Several that should have done the trick didn't.  needless to day having meds that are 24 hr don't work nearly as good as the ones that work 12 hour.  Needless to say my allergies and congestion beat on me and defy the 24 hour meds. So now I'm back to the 12 hour stuff because I got better results with them.  The end result is some relief until I get insurance back. Being unemployed sucks wild cat ass.  Let's hope a remedy is down the pike soon. Allergies just know how to turn up the dial on discomfort.