polarbear

Well, I was fired.

In the past 4 months I have made 84 calls to my husband's number which is apparently long distance even though it's a miami area code (I did not realize it was long-distance). This was deamed "extreemly excessive" - it was about once a day I worked. I have also made 46 "other" long distance calls - about half of which was for recruiting and following up with applicants from the culinary school in NY. I brought that up, and it was something they hadn't concidered

My own fault really, I didn't draw the line with my husband on when he asked me to make calls for him when he couldn't get his point across in English - I guess I was too much of a crutch for him. I told him once I was probably putting my job in danger, but he never really took it seriously.

I have insurance until the end of the month (really need to see that eye doctor now) and then I have the cobra option. Hopefully I will be returning to school full-time in the spring (am doing part-time now) and can get students insurance. I will also be paid out my vacation time.

I will be working on my husband's business, returning to school, and concentrating on my health. I don't plan to return to a regular job until either I finish school or the business fails. So maby 1-2 years

So.... how do I collect unemployment?

I think Nawal is the HR person here but my 2 cents is that it is illegal for them not to pay out your vacation time. You earned that time and it is their legal responsibility to give you that $$. Also you will be eligible for Cobra meaning you will be able to pay for your health insurance out of pocket (i think at a lower price than if you just got it on your own) so as long as you can pay the premiums you should be all set there. I'm so sorry but it seems like this is the best for you right now the way you're talking about it. I wish I could quit for a month I need some time to myself!

I've been thinking that for about a month now. I just wasn't able to let any of my responsiblities go, they all just seemed too important.

Looks like the decission has been made for me. In all honesty, if they let me stay with this on my record I won't be elegible for promotion, I won't be able to continue in the management training program, and I won't be getting a raise anytime soon... I do like the job and care about the people I work with - but really, why would I stay if I had another option at this point? (trying to stay positive here )

So sorry Polar Bear

I guess more and more we are ALL starting to realize any one of our jobs is expendable, disposable and terminal.

Everyone looking out for themself

I guess some companies dont care as long as you do your work

Some I guess it is just FORBIDDEN to use the phone or talk on it while at work and on their time

HOWEVER, it is really unrealistic to expect people NOT to have to make some phone calls sometimes when they are TRAPPED at work for 8-12 hours a day

appointments..teacher's calls....kids issues...emergencies..what the ####, we have a life dont we?

That's what I thought. As long as I got my job done... I would much rather just make a phone call to fix a problem in my personal life than have to leave work to deal with it

It kinda seems like a stupid reason to fire someone on the spot, but a violation of the employee handbook is the ONLY reason this company can fire you like that. Otherwise its warnings, paperwork, ect... and can take months to fire a truely bad performer. I don't have a copy with me, but I'm pretty sure it has in there prohibited use of company resources for personal reasons (which is what this would probably fall under).

As far as I know, my boss stands up for his employees and is an executive committee memeber, so we'll see what he has worked out for me when I get there this afternoon. I just don't know right now and it's driving me crazy

The norm is that you lose your health insurance and any unused vacation days if you are fired. However, there are some companies that are decent and will allow you to work out a deal with them. I hope yours is one of those.

As you said, "in this economy"......don't you think it would be better to find another job before you quit this one, if given the option? Can you afford it if it takes you a long time to find another job?

I wish you luck in your search.

If she is fired, can't she collect unemployment though? That is better than nothing.

That's what I was thinking! Don't quit...at least if you're let go you can collect unemployment while you job search

I already own a company with my husband that is doing well, we can live off of it and make 3 times what that job gives me. The only problem is that its self-employment and the income isn't always a guarentee as it is basically commission. I also have a job offer in Tennessee, but we would have to give up the company for it.

My main concern is the health care as I am already sick- and it would suck to work for 1 1/2 yrs and not be able to get paid for the vacation I never took

im awake! its rainy here today in Chicago

Wishing everyone a great day! Only 4 more days of work til my week long vacation...woohoo Im soo excited!!

Mashalla! Zaid is getting cuter by the day!

So I got sent home on the spot yesterday morning pending investigation and my boss is absolutely side-swiped - he had no idea this was coming.

With the budget cuts and losses of revenue lately, all of the departments have been reviewing costs and finding spending that can be cut back. The IT department reported me for excessive personal use of telephone.

I have no idea what they consider excessive, and I'm fully aware that some companies say it's forbiden, but I didn't think I was doing it that much. My husband called everyday, but that was for help on little things and never more than a minute or two. I occasionally call my mom or a friend for a minute, but its nothing that anyone ever noticed. I did make a few doctor's appointments or a few emergency calls for my hubby from that phone but I really didn't think it was that bad. I'm going in this afternoon to meet with HR and my boss, but I'm not very optimistic. I'm actually kinda wondering if the chefs or cooks were using my telephone at night bc I know for sure they were using the desk (it's a shared office with about 15 people, 3 computers, and it never closes ) but I'm certain I did contribute at least a little.

I've decided if I'm not fired on the spot, I will hand in my two weeks notice anyway. My personal life has been getting the better of me for awhile and it seems like every week there is a crisis or something I have to deal with and I will be the first one to admit it is affecting my work. My reviews have all been good, I was put into the management training program, and really did try to put my job first - my chef is shocked by the posibility of me getting fired. But despite all of this, I am being pulled in too many directions and its taken a toll on me and is effecting my health. I have to get my sh!t pulled together and take care of myself before I loose my health completely, my 4.0 in school, and let my husbands company go down the drain in paperwork not done.

This choice is just so scarry with the current economic situation. I'm also scared about loosing my health insurance. I know that if I leave with notice I have the option of paying to extended the coverage for another 6 months, but I don't know if I will have that option if I am fired. What happens to the 2 weeks vacation I never got to use? Will that get paid out if I'm fired?

I friggin hate not knowing and the wait until this afternoon is killing me..... I think I should just go write my resignation letter and have it ready to take with me

Henia I really think you need to push hard to get medical attention ASAP. Is there any way you can get the the US consulate and see if they can assist in any way?

At the least, maby you should ask about a medical expedite I wonder if that exists for citizenship/passport?

It doesn't make sense if it didn't exist for newborns, bc don't you just have to register them? I know an exedite is very possible for an adult passport, it just costs more.

I'm just emotionally shutting down... don't have much happy thoughts or energy to summon them up. I just post at work when I'm avoiding situations I don't want to deal with

I'm kinda hoping more sleep and not being hungry will make my husband stop being stupid but in the mean time, I think I'm just about to give up and not give a sh!t anymore.... if only my boss heard that

I tired of being tired and depressed, I don't want to give up my job or school, but something is going to have to give I just can't give my husband or the home the time and attention right now and something is going to snap

If he gave up his homeland to move here for me, I can give up my career or goals for him right?

I think by writing that I just fell for him a little harder (L) (L)

I think I fall more for my husband every day

We're coming up on the year mark, but it's like the honeymoon period started when he was gone for 2 months and came back

This process is so hard when they first get here that I don't know I ever had that initial honeymoon period. I gave up the wedding and traditional honeymoon - we just had a dinner - and then real life started. When he left again it just made things that much better when he came back - things just worked

Sorry for getting all gooey

I was looking for the Sunday topic about an hour ago and wondering if I missed it

Things have been completely insane for me the past few days and I am really going to have to stay off the boards and be productive, but..... HAPPY SUNDAY!

None of the above... met in France - he was knocking on my window so he could repaint the window pain It took him about 3 hrs to finish that one little window pane

My husband got home really late last night (was in Tampa) so I waited up for him like a good little wifey well.... about 11pm he's rooting around in the fridge looking for a snack and somehow manages to spill a jug of OJ - ALL OVER THE FRIDGE!!! I walk in to find him haphazardly moping up the worst of the spill with a kitchen towel and looking completely lost I get out the proper cleaning tools and he moves in to help - I swear, I just looked at him and told him to go away He tried to help, but just kept getting in the way... He did the proper thing and avoided my wrath for the rest of the night

I had to take everything out, all the shelves, drawers, food - there was not an area untouched by OJ. So 11pm on a work night I start doing a deep cleaning on my fridge - then the floor and countertops where all the OJ covered food was deposited before cleaning

I have yet to figure out the appropriate punishment

I haven't had much sleep lately, but trying not to think about things and stay busy.

::yawn:: time to get some more coffee

PB......just....I love you. Please be alright.

aaww PB - hang in there, surely it will get better at some point

Happy Sunday all

Congrats Sora!

Thanks for the concern I'm sure it will get better, but right now there is alot going on that I don't want to put up on the boards

Bridget - Health is getting worse and I'm in for a new round with a new set of doctors to figure out what is really wrong. We'll see how this goes, but I really think I just need an exteded vacation

Happy Sunday MENA

I've been so friggin busy lately I'm not looking forward to next week with no end in sight. Slightly depressed, hubby is irritated with me, and I must be getting pre-maturely old bc I keep forgetting things (well, at least according to my professor )

I wish I had good news to report, but no such luck.... I'm leaving the boards before really start b!tching about everything wrong in the world

Life is precious and often too short

I need more sleep

Good Morning!

You know it's going to be a good day when you're scheduled for a half-day, but the big boss wanders by and hands you a project

Good afternoon Everyone!! This lack of sleep is getting so hard! Im not fasting but mohamed will wake me up and want me to come Eat and then Amir wakes up !!

I'm not fasting either, but I'm the one that wakes up my husband to eat.

The one day I left the responsibility with him and turned off the alarm after he said he would get up, he missed breakfast and was Mr. Grumpy for the rest of the day. So now, if he doesn't get up right away, I get up and turn on the lights and start making breakfast so he still has time to eat

Between that and the late nights at the mosque, I am definantly ready to get some sleep

julianna, good list. extra socks are very important. also have extra shoes too, if possible boots that are waterproof.

also on the food list. canned beans, tuna, and so on. canned peaches, pineapple slices, and especially pears are great when your food choices are limited.

several sets of cheap sunglasses are good. also, include an old set of prescription glasses to this. it may come in very handy.

rain poncho can be a tarp too. at wal-mart

note that a swiss army knife has many of the tools you listed under food.

also, i'd add a .40 cal or larger plus 200 rounds, just in case

A specialty for hurricanes: Insect Repelllant!

The standing waters left behind go stagnant and become breeding grounds.

Don't forget the medicines as well for your first aid kit (add some benedryl).

Plastic/Paper cups, plates, utensils, towels, tp....

like amal said, those things are scarce now bc no one has the water to do dishes, ect...

Heavy Duty Trash Bags

Good for clean up - keep contained dirty things until you can wash them - tape up windows that were blown out - ect....

Also - know where all of your important insuarance and medical records are and keep them in a container. At minimum keep an emergency list of numbers and information for making claims and getting help for after.

Happy Hump Day MENA!

I can't believe its only Wednesday....

I know, it feels like it should be friday at the least

Happy Humpday Everyone!

Can't this week just be over yet?

Just wanted to let y'all know that I got blocked from VJ at work again.... guess i was abusing the internet or something. Stupid job! Anyway, I'll be on in the evenings agiain.

Take care!

Janine

Wow, that sucks Work is the only time I have for VJ

Your 1 year anniversary was August 22

So, have you got any name suggestions , or should I just leave it at polarbear?