I was let go

[psalmist]

Of all the things that I have gone through over the last year I have found some way to see myself to the other side. I have always been an independent person taking risks and being bold in my jobs. Having heart surgery has taken alot of wind out of my sails. I don't mean physically, but mentally. If there was anything I trusted in it was my health. Losing that I managed to cling to my job for security. . . at least I had that and insurance. Well today I was let go from the company I work for and it hit me hard. I already felt very vulnerable as a man because of my heart condition, now my last crutch is gone and it is hard not feel like my last leg was kicked out from under me. Ross. . . any advice. If anyone has any encouragement or adviced I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks Seth

 

[Harrybaby666]

Hi Seth......I can only say that I am extremely sorry...

Hi Seth......I can only say that I am extremely sorry...

I know how you are feeling right now, as I have encountered a very similar situation, where I cannot GET a job, part-time or full time due to my health and I have ended up going through Vocational Rehabilitation to train me in a field that hopefully be more accepting of my health. I hope that you will at least consult someone to see if there might be something that can be done to either help you get your job back or into something comparable but with more compassion for your health issues. You have my best thoughts, and prayers and utmost support as you fight this battle. Harrybaby

 

[kfay]

Seth, I don't really have any advise for you, but just wanted to let you know that I'm sorry and really believe that better opportunities will be ahead for you.

Kim

 

[brd]

Doors

Doors

Seth, It's kind of an old chestnut but I see it work out this way all the time....."when one door closes, another opens." You will come out of this on top! Never fear.

Best regards, Barbara

 

[Guest]

If anyone has any encouragement or advice I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks Seth

I'm sorry to read this. I was laid off from a company that I had worked for 18.5 yrs, Dec 2006. The thought of starting over was very unsettling. The positive side to it all was that I was able to collect unemployment because it was involuntary lay off, received a severance package, and found a brand new job March, 2007. I'm still there, my employer assured me that my heart surgery (after working there for only 7 months) would not impact my returning to work for them as they wanted me back. I had no FMLA protection so they really could have shown me the door. During recovery, I worked from home part-time at 5 weeks post op and returned Jan 2nd. They allowed me to leave work Mon, Wed, and Fri for my cardiac rehab, I made up the time at home in the evenings so as not to miss my deadlines.

Did they give you any type of severance? Sign up for unemployment right away and if they try to fight your receiving it, fight back. Do as much networking as you can, sometimes it's who you know on the inside of another company that will get you in the door. In TX, anyone can register with "Work in TX", mandatory registration if you receive unemployment. Check your state and see if they have something similar whether you collect unemployment or not. Don't shrug off working for your city, state, or any other government agency.

Don't give up, maybe this is a change for the better for you. Getting laid off from my former employer was a blessing in disguise. I'm much happier with what I'm doing now, who I work for, and they actually recognize my abilities and contributions, and I know I'm appreciated.

I wish you the best of luck finding a new job. When you interview, don't mention anything about health, it's against the law for them to ask.

 

[Lisa in Katy]

The verse that gets me through things like this: "Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths."

 

[sue943]

Been there, wearing the t-shirt. After more than thirteen years in a job I loved, a job I lived for - it was my life, the day I reported back to work after my illness and OHS I was told my job no longer existed as they had had o find a way of doing it in my absence.

When you are fifty-eight (it happened the before my 58th birthday) and have had eight months off sick no one is begging you to work for them.

It isn't what you wanted to hear but I do know how you feel, to me it was far more devastating than losing my health. To be brutally honest, if it were not for the effect it would have had on my family and friends I would have killed myself - which would have been a complete waste of all the skill of the doctors who made me well.

I wish you well and sincerely hope you find a new and better employment.

 

[psalmist]

thank you

thank you

Thanks for all of your responses. I have to admit that I have been less than graceful at handling the things that have come my way. I am very grateful for all of you folks. I know that my job isn't everything I think it just made me face some emotional issues that I have from my health. Seth

 

[Bina]

Seth, I understand how you feel...... it is at first devastating, but somehow things always manage to balance out again.
When I was 4 1/2 mths post op my husband lost his job of 26 yrs with a major airline.
He felt like he had been hit by a bus.
He got a good severance package, but 3 weeks later he was working at a local company down the road. It is nowhere near the same salary, but they treat him like a king, and his self esteem got a much needed boost.
Things are so much better now, more than we could have ever imagined.
Stay strong, have faith, and don't be shy to talk about your feelings.
You are NOT damaged goods...you are young and will come through this.

 

[Superbob]

Seth,

My situation was not the same because I was near retirement age, but over a period of several months, post-OHS, I was eased out of a very nice position, even though I had come back even more productive than I had been prior to surgery. However, after resettling, I am busier than ever working as a free agent, semi-retired.

You are much younger, so maybe the hurt is deeper. But I concur with what others are saying: hang in there, file for unemployment, look for ways to get an "in" with other employers. Don't let the bastards get you down (pardon my French.) You will get past this, and you will do well.

 

[alpha 1]

I am sorry too for the loss of your job, i started a job last april when everyone was still healthy, or so i thought, were still healthy, anyway it was like the job from hell, i stuck it out for about 8 months then i just couldnt take it anymore, it was at a credit union and there was only one other person that worked there with me and she just didnt like me for some reason and didnt want to train or show me what to do at a point, so i just followed my notes, but after months of the silent treatment and some other things i just threw in the towel, that was in October, the 26th was my last day, i had about one month off then found out my son needed the ohs, so talk about devestation, all the stuff with the job didnt mean a thing, so i know that you will find something even better. i have had so many let downs and have been so beat down most of my life and a friend said just give it to god he will do what he wants you to be doing anyway, and i didnt i kept fighting wanting to do what i wanted to do and so i figure god will put you where he wants you to be so keep the faith, and keep praying i will pray for you too. good luck
alpha 1

 

[njean]

Dear Seth,

I sympathize w/your situation but remember, "this too will pass." Put your trust in the Lord & you will preservere!

Take care of yourself foremost & start looking into some of the resources others have mentioned.

Best wishes & good luck to you!

 

[westie]

at least your age is on your side

at least your age is on your side

hello seth

reading your post reminds me of one of the many reasons why i am self employed; no one can sack me! maybe that could be an avenue for you? after all, you said "you are an independant person who takes risks"

seems you have some big positives, you are still young at 32 years, you are only taking comudin ( so your health must be reasonable at least ) and you have 3 lovely young boys to give you the motivation to drag yourself up from the floor and get back into it.

sorry, but do not be too particular about what sort of job you accept because "a job, is a job, is a job". it is also easier to step up from any job than it is to step up from no job.

good luck mate!

 

[westie]

tell her

tell her

i forgot the most important point, tell your wife straight away and be sure to discuss it with her fully. us guys are very good at bottling up problems, but any flak you get at home now will be much worse if you delay telling her.

my own marriage might have worked out better if i had followed my own advice...........

 

[Lionheart]

Seth,

YOU ROCK BUDDY!

You got through OHS and you will get through this.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

John

 

[KathyM]

Seth,

Your post reminded me of my late husband. I lost Dan on 911. In Oct. 99 he needed open heart surgery and we know what that is like. He survived and did well. Dan was also very sucessfull in his job, yet always had his priorities right and family was first. After the surgery he really realized that. He knew power, money, job none of that meant anything without the love of family to share it with. Then came that horrible day...I am telling you this in hopes to make you see how lucky you are to have your family. Your surgery was capable of correcting the problem, some people don't have that. I also had a valve replacement 2 weeks ago and now find myself lucky that it was found in time and that it was able to be fixed.

Please try and stay positive

xoxo
Just
Kathy M

 

[Gusdog]

Seth - lost my job because they didn't want to wait for me to recover enough to come back. I had only been there a little over a month when I had my surgery, so there was no protection for me. So I know how it feels. It's a gut punch, no doubt.

However, in my case, I decided to just be grateful to be alive to find another job. I don't say that to minimize what you're feeling at all. But your worth is not in what you do. There will be other jobs.

 

[just1gary]

Hang In There

Hang In There

Sorry to hear about your job loss but keep your chin up. You will bounce back and just keep everything is perspective. You have friends (here at the site), you have family, and best of all your a cardiac survivor.

In my opinion you've already made a good start getting some traction by posting here and sharing.

 

[PairoDocs]

Sorry about the job loss...

Sorry about the job loss...

Seth,

It was somewhat different for me, as my husband, who had the OHS, is disabled but is the primary caretaker for our children. I had just started a new job when he had to have his surgery. I had to take time off to be with him in Boise while he had his surgery, and also after he arrived home. Then there are still the occasional appointments, etc even now. Idaho is a right-to-work state, and they certainly could have shown me the door. People are also unhappy since my husband's surgery, etc, caused our insurance to go up considerably. Instead, my employers kept me on, arranged my schedule to allow the time off, and offered tons of help. My mother-in-law was able to help out for a month, thank God. We even got up the Christmas tree before Christmas! In return, I am trying to repay their kindness by willingness to come in for extra hours and fill in to do the things they didn't have time to do. They are grateful, too.

It's your ex-employer's loss more than yours, in my opinion. Oh, and by the way, you may have some legal recourse. I would speak to a lawyer. You may not want to go back, either, after the betrayal. You could go back to school, etc. The world's your oyster.

Cold again in Idaho,
-Laura

 

[psalmist]

Rambling

Rambling

Well I woke up and couldn't go back to sleep. My mind is turning one hundred miles an hour. I feel better though. Thanks for the responses and encouragements. Seth