Devastating news today - my father was fired from his job yesterday. He worked there for 25 years. They have been slowly trying to force him out for the last several months...it's a long story, but the end result is that now, he's jobless.
He has no college degree. My mother has an AA degree but has not worked in 24 years. My sister has 1.5 years of college left.
How can I help them?
I asked them to send me their resumes so I can update them. I told him to ask friends for job references. He is getting a severence package, but it won't amount to much after taxes.
What does one do after 25 years?? I can't believe the audacity.
Your thoughts, suggestions, advice...all welcome.
advice needed
January 5th, 2007 at 04:07 pm
January 5th, 2007 at 04:11 pm 1168013491
First thing of course is for him to file for unemployment benefits; it may not be a lot, but certainly will be some help in paying bills.
January 5th, 2007 at 04:16 pm 1168013793
He has to stay in the workforce. They have no retirement, other than the pension he was supposed to get, which he will now only get a fraction of. He would have received his full pension had they let him work three more years. It looks like my mother will have rejoin the workforce as well.
I mentioned unemployment benefits to them and they will file soon. Also mentioned seeking an employment attorney for a consult.
January 5th, 2007 at 04:20 pm 1168014044
January 5th, 2007 at 04:28 pm 1168014510
January 5th, 2007 at 04:31 pm 1168014694
I think its good that you're trying to help out.
January 5th, 2007 at 04:36 pm 1168014975
What an awful thing to do to someone. I'm glad they're going to talk to an attorney, just in case.
January 5th, 2007 at 04:46 pm 1168015567
Check it out. The labor board might be able to help if it was discriminatory (age, pay, retirement, ethnic background) like boomeyers said.
I would also contact their telephone and gas&electric company and tell them of their situation. They can be put on the programs that reduce the monthly cost of each of those. Have them start to cut back NOW and not spend like they still have a job. It will save them piece of mind if the job search stretches out over a long period of time. (I hope not, but just in case.)
Hope that helps some,
CJ
Hope that helps.
January 5th, 2007 at 04:54 pm 1168016056
These days (for the past 20 years actually) there is no longer a "social contract" between a company and its workers. Companies lay off staff whenever they're not needed and/or too expensive. By the same token, skilled staff will quit at the drop of a hat if they can get a few bucks more, or better conditions, elsewhere. I've heard of cases where a new recruit has quit after a couple of weeks in the job, just because a better offer came along. So it cuts both ways. But this doesn't make it any easier when it happens to you or your loved ones.
Ten years ago my previous employer laid me off when they decided to eliminate some non-profitable research teams (I was a research scientist). Luckily I used the opportunity to change career paths and, although I initially had to take a salary cut, I ended up making more than I would have in my old position. Unfortunately it looks like your dad is too old for this to be viewed as an "opportunity".
BTW - my old company also laid off a man at their Sth African branch who was only 1 year away from reaching retirement age and getting his full pension. This seems to happen all too often these days.
Hopefully your dad can find a similar position at similar salary. Unemployment isn't too high, so if he has the skills he should be able to find similar employment (unless his job has become redundant throughout the industry or you have local unemployment issues).
Looking at it dispassionately, if he lacks the skills to win a similar job, then from his employers point of view he probably wasn't "worth" what he was getting paid at his old job, which is why he got canned. Or they may have just found a way to automate the stuff he used to do. Unfortunately the days when 25 years loyal service meant you were entitled to a job to retirement age, and a gold watch upon retirement, are long gone.
January 5th, 2007 at 05:20 pm 1168017626
I'm with Boo and Cheetah, as far as the labor board and utilities go. And if they don't already have a budget, I'm sure you could definitely help them work one out.
As for DS with the 1.5 years off college left, I don't mean to sound harsh, but I don't think they can be worrying about her now. Does she work while she attends classes? Can she pick up extra credits over the next two semesters and finish early? Does she already have a mound of student loans, or can she take some out? Absolute worst case scenario, can she transfer to a less expensive state school?
Good luck, and keep us posted...
January 5th, 2007 at 05:28 pm 1168018124
January 5th, 2007 at 06:10 pm 1168020606
Thanks for the labor board heads up, and the utilities thing...I will definitely pass that along. I wouldn't have thought of that.
My father definitely has skills, and was working 60 hour weeks before this. They haven't automated, just replaced him. Honestly I think it was a we-don't-like-you thing, combined with a we-don't-want-to-pay-your-pension thing. I find it absolutely ludicrous to tell someone that their work style doesn't fit in with the company after 25 years of working there. Does that even make sense?? 6 months, yes - 25 years? No.
You're right, I don't think they can worry about my sister now either (but I know they are). She has not worked, she hasn't had the time because she is either in the lab or studying all the time (I wish I was exaggerating). She's maxed out her course load every semester and has 1.5 years left. She has a ton of student loans and is going to have to ask for more now. And, yeah, she's already at an inexpensive state school. Unfortunately she will probably have to get a job, which is going to be really hard on her grades.
How can employers like this sleep at night??
Thanks for your support.
January 5th, 2007 at 07:19 pm 1168024799
Good luck to him.
January 5th, 2007 at 07:59 pm 1168027196
He might want to schedule a few meetings with area employment agencies.
January 5th, 2007 at 10:28 pm 1168036127
I'm not sure if I helped you any or not!LOL Good luck to your parents!
January 6th, 2007 at 12:02 am 1168041762
January 6th, 2007 at 12:03 am 1168041819
I am truly sorry to hear this!
I pray he finds something real soon.
If you have a resume' please let me know. I have worked with software recruiters. I should be able to do something.. cannot promise anything..
Please email me asap.
January 6th, 2007 at 06:23 am 1168064635
January 7th, 2007 at 07:37 am 1168155469
dad to pursue his unemployment benefits as soon as possible. It takes a week after you apply for the benefits to kick in. Also want to go to the state labor board. You have to be given 60 days notice, and there has to be cause, and more cause than "we don't want to pay your pension." Heck, so many companies don't want to pay anyone's pension.
sis should pursue the possibility of work-study and part time work. I know, quaint, but I did the heavy-duty work study thing when I went to college - biology major, so plenty of lab work. I know things are different than when I went, but I think its better that than drop out completely.