Well, I just joined America's Jobless this morning

[XanaDUer]

I came to Georgia for a job. After working for five long years here (in a very, very RW place) I was called in this morning to be told that my job was one of the ones that was "targeted, as they call it here. I was the only one in my dept (so far).

This is all a part of the "processes improvement" our hospital has been undertaking. I am not a nurse, but many of them are being let go, too.

So, I am feeling pretty pissed off right now. I will be relocating from Georgia in the next few months, I hope.

Just wanted to share that with my DU family.

Peace for now.

[WingDinger]

1. Stay strong. With that many environment changes, you'll need it.

[Love Bug]

2. I'm sorry to hear that, XanaDUer

If it helps any, you are not alone in this. Good luck to you in your search for your next job.

[bobbolink]

3. I'm sorry. It is a frightening nation now.

This is very lame to say, but I certainly hope things get better for you very soon! I wish I had something more productive to add.... I'm concerned for you.

Be very good to yourself! :pals:

[XanaDUer]

19. Not lame at all

believe me. That is just what laid off folks need to hear, seriously. And thank you!

Good karma right back at you.

:hugs:

[bobbolink]

23. Its just that I want to *do* something... I want to take it all away so you will be fine.

I don't want *anyone* to end up homeless.... it sux, and I don't want others suffering the way I am.

~~tears~~ I don't want you or anyone else to find out firsthand just how ugly people are to those on the bottom of the ladder...

:hug:

[XanaDUer]

26. Bless you

I am so glad to have DU!

Again, I am one of the lucky ones - under 50, niche field (as long as you can relocate which I can)

Lady was there over 25 years. HS diploma. From here. Canned today. Will probably never get a job with decent bennies like this one. They ended the defined-pension plan eight months after I started.

I saw others streaming out to the PL as I did. Well, bless their little hearts at work - at least I didn't have to have a security guard escort. Which would have been fine - most of our SGs are African-Americans from up North and know the drill where we work -

I would have enjoyed walking out with some of the sane folks.

[disillusioned73]

4. Sorry to here...

I hope things work out for you.:hug:

[closeupready]

5. I'm sorry you lost your job; keep a stiff upper lip, and good luck to you.

:hi:

[WhiteTara]

6. Good luck XanaDUer

I will send good energy to you to find the perfect place! I've lost a couple jobs in my life and it always seem to turn out for the better, even though I was scared and broke!

[XanaDUer]

7. Thank you all

Yes, I have some savings. I am sure I will start to feel better - it was a horrible, toxic, dysfunctional place.

[BonnieJW]

28. What is your profession?

You said you were working in a hospital, but you're not a nurse.

[XanaDUer]

29. For privacy, rather not say

I was a non-income-generating support staff position.

But they are thinning the herd today and tomorrow. May be more in the future - since I am not going to keep in touch with anyone there, Lord only knows who else will get the ax in the coming months.

I look at it this way - my tooth was loose, and I tied the string around it and slammed the door. Now the tooth is gone. I won't be hanging around with a "toothache" like some of the other poor shlumps there.

[WhiteTara]

79. Really, it sounds as though

it was mercy of the Goddess. You do have unemployment benefits...don't forget to apply. Take a couple of weeks, regroup and be open. You will be fine.

[XanaDUer]

84. Yes, just looking over my "packet"

It's a cheery green color. Anyway, five weeks' severance pay, my unpaid PTO. Also, I get to attend one free "bootcamp" to learn how to put together a resume. I will probably skip that one, but I am sure it is nice for those who need help with that.

Yes, hellhole barely describes it there. "Asylum" comes close, though.

[XanaDUer]

48. Believe me

ANYTHING will be better than there. There is an up side to everything.

[gateley]

99. I understand how toxic an environment like that can be. Even though it's

shattering to lose your job, do you feel a big sense of relief? Sounds crazy, but when it happened to me I almost danced out the door!

But I'm so sorry it happened anyway, and you know you've got friends here. A BIG support group! :hug:

[XanaDUer]

117. You know, I do

And it is funny you should say dance out the door, I almost felt like that. I do not mean to sound like sour grapes, but I feel sorry for those poor people left in that toxic, dysfunctional hellhole.

I actually feel like a heavy weight is off my shoulders today. It has been a long time since I have felt that.

[Smarmie Doofus]

8. Sorry. That's scary..... no question.

Silver lining is you get to move.

EZ does it. Keep us in the loop.

[City Lights]

9. I'm sorry to hear that, XanaDUer.

:hug:

Try to stay positive. Best of luck to you.

[dgibby]

10. So sorry.

Sending you many good vibes and cyber hugs.:hug:

[stopbush]

11. It used to be you were "fired." Then, you were "laid off."

Then, the company was "down sizing." Then, the company was "right sizing."

Now, they're going through "processes improvement."

The degree of euphemistic spinelessness is an ever-increasing truth in corporate America.

[XanaDUer]

16. Yeah, I was just "neutralized"

Isn't that what they called it in war?

And, sadly, I am not the only one today who got the can from what I call The Frootloop Factory. I have a master's and can move. Many of the others are locals with homes, kids, mortgages, etc.

And them going anywhere is gonna be a whole lot of shit.

[SoCalDem]

36. If you can tolerate the culture shock & the weather

North Dakota might be an option for you..They seem to have the lowest unemployment rate and are booming because of the "land-rape" that's going on there right now.. You might be able to ride out the mini-depression there for a while at least..

:hug:

[chervilant]

142. Sadly,

what we're currently experiencing is not a "mini-depression" and it won't be over for quite a while. In fact, it will get steadily worse for the next few years.

[kcass1954]

104. Where I work, they're "making adjustments to meet current market conditions."

Two years ago, my former manager got "adjusted" after 17 years.

We just "adjusted" 10 lot ops people (mostly unskilled, minimum-wage folks) and three from the offices with between 12 and 19 years.

The worst part is that we have employee meetings, and "everything's good" month after month - "everything's good" - "everything's good" - "everything's good" - BAM, we're "adjusting" again. And they wonder why everyone's so skittish.

[XanaDUer]

119. Yes, it is very stressful

Our deal started out three months ago as a way to save about fifty bucks a month with supplies. Then it moved to layoffs. And, this is the third round of layoffs in three years, since the new CEO took over.

We used to have a handful of, what they liked to call, Town Hall Meetings. Right.

Anyway, those stopped, and there have been three emails, vaguely worded in the last few months, thanking everyone for their patience, and that we would soon be coming to an end of these process improvements.

Everyone walked around, except those perky, out-sourcing, downsizing, right-sizing, process-improving, six-figure administrators, like the Walking Dead. There were people who served that hellhole for decades. And, it is really the Only Game in Town, job-wise, unless you want to be a Wal-Mart greeter or a cashier in a gas station.

[syberlion]

106. Reading 1984, Newspeak and it keeps on changing

Good luck -

I was jobless in South Carolina so I know what it's like to be in a hell-hole state. My family helped me to move to Austin,TX. It was nice to be around people that actually read books and were intelligent enough to have meaningful political discussions. Oh, I met a few like that in SC, but it was like the book, you had to whisper or you might be arrested for "thought crimes."

Again, good luck and keep your sanity through the process. It'll get better.

[MissDeeds]

12. So sorry to hear this

Unfortunately, this is happening far too often. There is really nothing I can say to make it better, only that you are in my thoughts and I wish the very best for you. Stay strong, friend.:hug:

[fasttense]

13. Welcome aboard the unemployment ship.

There are about 30 million people on this cruise. You are not alone. Hopefully we will all make land soon.

[XanaDUer]

14. Gee, thanks

Do you think I don't feel for those people, too?

[fasttense]

31. No,

I thought if you knew you were not alone, you wouldn't feel so bad about it. That it isn't your fault that you got "targeted".

Many people feel isolated and alone when they lose their jobs. I thought that knowing you weren't alone would make you feel better.

Sorry.

[XanaDUer]

35. Sorry

It's been a bit of a rough morning. There is *nothing* like walking outta your boss' office with all your co-workers staring at you, and you knowing you were the only one who got canned.

I hope to never experience that ever again.

No, doesn't really make me feel better. We are so fucked in this country!

[TBF]

15. Will you be eligible for a new round of unemployment -

that seems to be about as positive as it gets lately. It really sucks that you had to relocate for that job too. How nasty of them.

[XanaDUer]

17. Yes.

The funny, funny part is - I am the only Dem there. Oh, and this is Obama's fault. Oh, I could write a fucking book on what I have seen and heard these last five years.

[XanaDUer]

21. They are the pits

I won't miss them. I asked if I could leave immediately, once I turned in my badge and keys.

[supernova]

18. Sorry to hear that XanaDUer

:hug:

UI sucks but it does get you by.

Hope it just means something better is on the way.

[XanaDUer]

20. Funny

I found a fortune from a cookie on the street yesterday - "Luck is on the way"

Let's hope so, for all of us.

[raccoon]

22. Sorry that happened to you. Best of luck to you in your search.

I hope you find something you love in a place you love. :hi: :hug:

[jgraz]

24. I'm so sorry. I know from experience how much that sucks.

But hey, at least you now have an excuse to get the fuck out of Georgia. :D

[XanaDUer]

27. Yes, I know

that IS something, I suppose.

[XanaDUer]

32. Well, I've never been fired or laid off before

I guess it happens to everyone at least once.

I will file it in my book-of-experiences.

[trud]

133. Re "Well, I've never been fired or laid off before"

Try five times :-) The first time is the worst.

Start looking for new work immediately.

[SammyWinstonJack]

25. ...

:grouphug: Hope your relocation works out for the best.

[Liberal_in_LA]

30. K&R hope you are employed again very soon

[XanaDUer]

39. Congrats on Brown becoming Gov again

I am also now looking at CA for new jobs.

My friends out in CA say it is very bad, money wise, out there now.

Still, I would love to move to CA.

[Dappleganger]

33. Sorry to hear that...

just wondered if you ever would consider Jacksonville, FL? Hospitals are still thriving quite well in this area and there's a number of them.

[XanaDUer]

38. Yeah, I used to live there

right now I am looking at universities north of the mason-dixon, and some other places. Or, I may go back to school.

[Dappleganger]

46. Pittsburgh, maybe?

Good hospital support system there (and one of my favorite renewed cities to tout).

[XanaDUer]

50. I am open to moving almost anywhere

I am in a very, very conservative area of GA. It was, supposedly, "bullet proof" 'cause of all the great Republicans here.

But, the shit hit the fan here, even worse, than other areas, once it hit.

See, only in my hospital would a national health care plan be bad, 'cause that is socialism, and, God forbid, everyone having healthcare is BAD for a nonprofit hospital. Even though everyone losing work means they don't HAVE insurance, so they are putting off stuff, or using the ED as their Primary Care, so the income stream is drying up, but, it is really the DIRTY MEXICANS ruining everything here in La La Land. Blah blah blah. Yadda yadda yadda.

I just learned to keep my mouth shut for five years or else I was going to have a stroke. I was going to rip out my hair.

Good riddance. The ugliness there was awful. Hateful. Poisonous.

Maybe that door/window thing is true.

[Dappleganger]

56. P'burgh would be a relief for you...

it's very diverse and strong democratic support. I truly hope you are able to turn this traumatic thing into an opportunity for something very positive in your life.

:hug:

[XanaDUer]

60. I'm pretty resilient

Thank you. I have no kids, unmarried, and totally relocatable and adaptable.

I am so glad to have all of you here on DU. It is really making me feel better.

[tavalon]

86. I'll put a vote in for Seattle

I'm a nurse, though, I don't know how the options are for non-nursing areas.

[greymattermom]

107. KU Med

The University of Kansas Hospital is expanding. Maybe some openings?

[CitizenLeft]

34. I am so sorry - been there - 3 times

Platitudes sometimes have truth in them: hang in there and keep your chin up. Stay positive, and you'll land on your feet. Ugh! I hated typing that, but staying hopeful really does help.

Wishing you the very best. :hug:

[XanaDUer]

37. My Republican boss said

"When a door closes, a window opens."

:puke: Yeah, I guess. Isn't that from the Sound of Music?

So, a window may be opening for her soon, too.

But, to a fellow Dem like you, thank you, I know you mean that in the best way. :pals:

[CitizenLeft]

42. it's hard hearing it when it happens to you, I know.

You're in shock for awhile - it almost takes a week or more for it to sink in.

But the window thing... I HATE that one in particular. But, even that one is true.

When I lost my IT job that paid 45K, I was depressed for weeks, but then I had lunch with my former colleagues, and they said, truthfully, "but you hated that job. This is the best thing that could have happened." HAH! Right. Easy for you to say. Except that, 7 years later, I can look back on it and see that they were right. I'm now making MUCH less money, struggling to make ends meet, trying to figure out how I'm going to survive... but I like my job now. I'm much happier inside, even though the money crunch is killing me and turning my hair gray. But if I had to choose...

Stay confident and hopeful, my friend. May you feel the breeze from that open window very soon (really hate that "open window" one).

:loveya:

[XanaDUer]

47. I have one tiny job lead

we shall see whats happens.

But yes, except the salary, it was *HORRIBLE* there. Low, low morale, "inappropriate" behaviour, racism, sexism, homophobia, horror, incompetence

JUST wish I had gotten out sooner!

Well, fock 'em now.

[CitizenLeft]

80. oh, got my fingers crossed for you - good luck!

I hope your lead pans out! Lay off #2 turned out to be short, I found a job that paid more in 2 weeks. I hope that happens for you too!

[pokercat999]

130. XanaqDUer, check out Bon Secours Medical Systems. My

wife recently went to work for them. She is also non-med support staff. The pay is strong, benefits are the best she has ever had and the company has no tolerance for the kind of behaviors you describe in your old workplace. They have offices and facilities in MD, VA, and SC but if you are in IT or IS they use a lot of at home telecommuters. My wife has gone from weekly commutes involving 200 miles drives or airplane rides to commuting from the bedroom to her office across the hall.

[NNN0LHI]

40. I empathise with you

Was laid off nearly 2 years once so I know how you feel.

Don

[XanaDUer]

44. Oh yeah, it blows

Like I said upthread...I don't ever want to walk outta an office again with everyone looking at me.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

41. Nothing that I say will be of much help unfortunately. But I'm very very sorry. I only

hope that things turn around for you as quickly as possible.

[XanaDUer]

43. Thanks and hugs

that looks like my cat.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

49. Here are mine:

.



:pals:

[XanaDUer]

51. What precious babies!

mine is 15 and going strong.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

54. 15? Wow. I've never really lived with cats other than the one we had as a kid (unfortunately

he passed away too early). Hopefully mine will be around a long time like yours.

[TheKentuckian]

45. Hope we all land on our feet and bless you

[XanaDUer]

52. Thank you

As a liberal, I hope I am fairly proficient at landing on my feet. I guess I shall see now.

[area51]

53. I'm so sorry.

:hug:

[Catherina]

55. Good luck bb. Holler if you need help. Us Leftists are here for you n/t

[XanaDUer]

61. Thank you!

:)

[GoCubsGo]

57. Am there, doing that.

Wish you hadn't joined me, and I hope it goes better for you than it has for me. And, I'm with y'all on the "one door closing" thing. If I hear that one more time, I swear, I'll vomit all over the person who says it. I have to say, however, the one good thing that has come from this is that I have found out who my friends really are. A bit of an eye opener, I'll say.

Remember: That which doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

[XanaDUer]

58. I know

I mean, what can they say? They are worried for their own asses, and I cannot blame them. They need to be worried for their asses, esp at the snakepit that is my former employer. They are gunning for older workers, people who have "been there too long"; departments that can be "outsourced" are being outsourced. I am tired of working in a place where you walk out in the hallway and see the latest group crying and upset because they have been told that, of the 25 in their dept., the new company may hire 10 of them as "contractors", at a lower salary, mind you.

Fortunately, I have no friends locally. My job drained me of so much emotional energy, I really didn't want to have much to do with anyone around here. Plus, this is a church-going Christian area, and I am not into that much, either. Not from here, no family here, either. It is a gross exburban sprawl with the world's worst traffic jams.

I relocated for this job, and am looking forward to starting away from that evil, evil pit.


Our last Guvernator, "Sonny" Purdue, used to pray for rain during a drought. That, pretty much, speaks to much of this whole place.

[GoCubsGo]

62. I was laid off from Georgia's "flagship" university.

Worked there for a few months short of 20 years. One of Dumbya's minions had our funding yanked over god-knows-what. Sonny Boy did diddly-squat to help us. Ditto for the Congressional contingent. They couldn't even bother to show up for the Congressional hearings over the matter.

We get our TV out of Georgia, and I wanted to puke every time I heard Johnny Issakson claiming he was our "friend" in his recent campaign commercials. If he was such a good "friend", 40-some of my ex-coworkers and I would still have our old jobs. Fucking fuckers. Ditto for Nathan Deal, who spewed on about how awful things supposedly were under Roy Barnes. Funny, but I remember it differently. I had a job and got decent raises when Roy was Governor. I pity all the Georgians who didn't vote for these assclowns. They're stuck with some real winners. The ones who voted for them, or didn't vote at all deserve what's coming to them.

[XanaDUer]

63. You know, I agree

where I (used) to work, it was heavily, heavily Republican.

Now, you are from GA or in GA so you know this is true~

During the last presidential election, at work, McCain/Palin supporters were *allowed* to have their signs - Obama/Biden supporters were not. NOT ALLOWED. YOU KNOW THIS IS TRUE. When I would tell relatives up North this crazy shit, they were "WHY DON'T THEY TELL THE GODDAM UNION ABOUT THIS STUFF?!!!" :eyes: (my up-north relatives are a bit reality-challenged here about life in these here red states)

Our, *ahem*, "health-care" facility, put up all these anti-HCR shit all over the doors, in the docs' dining room, etc. Major whackoes in that place. Again, for privacy, I won't say where, but I could write a book about what I have seen these last five years.

So, even now, they just do not get the connection between their voting habits due to racism (sorry) and what is happening to them now. Before today's bloodletting, which means I'll never have to hear this again - all of the US's problems were due to Obama. Clinton was the other culprit pre-Obama. Hillary? Shit - she is Satan here.

Bush. "But, he's a good Christian." Okaaaay.

Look - most of the good people have already jumped ship from where I used to work. I just wish I'd stepped up my job search a year ago. Then I could wave bye bye to the survivors left on the sinking Titanic, and this rat (moi) had already jumped ship.

Live and learn, I guess.

[GoCubsGo]

68. Sounds like here

I live near a federal facility, which is the biggest employer in South Carolina. Most of the people who work there are republicans, and they're always harping on and on about wanting "less government". The vast majority work for various private contractors, and they get big bucks. It never occurs to them that their jobs would not exist if it weren't for the federal government. The disconnect is stunning. About 1400 of them are about to get laid off. I'm sure it will all be Obama's fault.

Your relatives never heard of "right to work" states, I take it?

[XanaDUer]

70. Oh, some of the ones who got unloaded from my old hospital

used to tout the wonderfulness of right-to-work states. Seriously. Again, you know this is true. They would rant about the beauty of right-to-work and work-at-will states like GA. Some of them are now among "the disappeared", so I have no clue what the hell they think now, but I would hope their tunes had changed. Probably not.

We had one super-RW male nurse constantly on about how bad "entitlement" programs were. Our hospital is a monument to EPs. I used to think WTF? I was new, so I didn't get the drill yet. He used to carry books around by Thomas Sewell.

Um, it WILL be Obama's fault if they lose their jobs. It is hard to be sympathetic after awhile.

[XanaDUer]

71. My relatives?

Oh, get this - Mr. Uncle-Union is a big-time Fox News viewer. Republican. Sitting in Queens, NY. You know, politics get stranger and stranger...

[chervilant]

143. If

you happen to visit any of the major bookstores in the next few days, please consider 'reshelving' Bush's newly released tome in a more fitting category, such as "True Crime" or "Fantasy Fiction." This is one of the most effective non-violent forms of protest I've seen of late.

[ncrainbowgrrl]

127. flagship university of NC here...

ICK.

[GoCubsGo]

128. Which school is the "ICK" for?

If it's for the one in Georgia, I couldn't agree more. :-) Their president, chancellor and VP for Research are some of the most reprehensible people I have ever seen.

[ncrainbowgrrl]

132. Nah- being laid off from flagship universities...

It's just like... all this money for research and the best students/faculty and the promotion of the "flagshipness" elitism.. and then suddenly, you're no longer part of that.

It could be worse (re: GA) - we had Erskine Bowles as our president of the UNC system. what a wonderful job he's doing on the "catfood commission" :sarcasm: No wonder the UNC system is fiscally broke.

[laughingliberal]

59. So sorry. nt

[proud patriot]

64. Sorry , My husband has been laid off for a month now

[ncrainbowgrrl]

149. another one of us?

Sorry to hear that news, my friend. :hug:

[Freetradesucks]

65. So sorry to hear.

This economy really sucks. I hope that they do something soon to fix it.:scared:

[XanaDUer]

66. It's not looking good

It's going to be a bumpy night.

[racaulk]

67. I'm very sorry to hear that, XanaDUer.

The job market here in Georgia has been very tough. I have been lucky enough to weather the storm so far, but about 40% of my coworkers have been laid off over the last 1-2 years. And I have so many friends and people I care about here that have been out of work for so long -- I really worry for them.

I don't have any good answers for you, but I hope you bounce back soon. And I totally understand about relocating from Georgia -- I have been very tempted to do the same thing.

Best of luck to you! :hi:

:pals:

[XanaDUer]

69. Thank you so much

Yes, no slam against GA, but I am not from here and have no reason to stay here. The one pleasure I had here was reading Jay Bookman and Cynthia in the AJC, and I can do that outside of GA.

The ignorance, hate, and awfulness of the people who followed their blogs told me a lot. Esp Cynthia Tucker. They HATED her.

I foresee things getting even worse here in GA, and I feel for those good people here who know better and are trying to change things for the better - for workers, kids, poor folks, immigrants, etc. They will have a tough road to ho, I'm afraid.

As I said in another thread - it's a hell of a lot harder being a progressive in a hard-right state like GA. I am from Florida, and I am horrified by Rubio taking over there.

[NotThisTime]

72. I'm sorry, stay strong and fight for another job, relocate wherever you have to or want to...

[progressoid]

73. Hang tough.

It knocks the wind out of you doesn't it? We're here for support. :grouphug:

[XanaDUer]

78. Thank you!

Thank you all. Thank you , DU admins, for DU. It's kept me sane these last ten years.

[roody]

74. I am so sorry.

You may be interested in attending School of the Americas Watch annual vigil in Columbus. www.soaw.org

[barbtries]

75. i'm sorry to hear it

hopefully it leads you to greater things in your life. the triangle area of NC is a good place to live and work.

[barbtries]

76. i'm sorry to hear it

hopefully it leads you to greater things in your life. the triangle area of NC is a good place to live and work.

[XanaDUer]

77. Yes, I know

Or, attending school for another degree in NC.

I LOVE Nc.

[tpsbmam]

103. I'll add my plug for NC but reality is reality.....you need to go where the job is.

I moved here (Western NC...Asheville area) from the North and love it here. Wherever you end up, may your search be brief and your relocation end up being a wonderful new beginning for you. :hug:

[ncrainbowgrrl]

125. I worked in Chapel Hill.

Now I don't.

[barbtries]

112. well

PM me if you think you might be coming this way. i have a low cost apartment in a nice area of north raleigh - i can give you the info.

[ncrainbowgrrl]

141. mind if I ask more info also?

DH works in Raleigh- we live in CH- money's tight- i'm unemployed...layoff from UNC-Ch. Is your apt. in a complex?

Will PM if you don't mind.

[barbtries]

148. no problem

PM me.

[druidity33]

122. I'll chime in for MA

Many areas of the Northeast are beautiful and excellent to live in. I'd look into Western MA, Southern Vermont. Jobs are scarcer toward rural areas, but a great place to live. Do you like winter?

Good luck in your search...

:hug:

[BlueCheese]

81. That's terrible.

Good luck and best wishes.

[mnhtnbb]

82. Major bummer. Take a look at growth areas, before you relocate.

Good vibes to you for finding the right place--in a much less RW place.

I have to say, I love Chapel Hill!

[upi402]

83. You're not alone. I haven't worked all year

and I've always had work... for decades now. This is different.

After seeing what our Dem majority failed to do, and now the crooks were elected to be in charge of part of the bank again -we're looking and getting out.

[XanaDUer]

85. Me too!

Relocate THERE in a heartbeat.

[bluestate10]

90. The research triangle of North Carolina is a great place to relocate.

I live in Massachusetts and have no intention of leaving. But if I did leave, I would migrate to the west coast, or the RT area of North Carolina.

I advise anyone that is unemployed to take stock of your abilities and true interests. The internet is a powerful tool for putting you on equal footing with big corporations. You can do anything you put your mind to from writing a book and getting it published and sold online to setting up and running a successful merchandising operation out of your home. Be real and honest with those your deal with, but research and be careful, there are ripoffs out there. Facilities exists online like Paypal, book publishers and marketers, USA based clothing manufacturers that will sell excellent products to you in bulk. As democrats more of us must start business and hire workers. If we don't want right wing workplaces, we must create progressive, successful workplaces.

[ncrainbowgrrl]

126. RTP went down the drain late in the game

Unfortunately, it seems like the trend is continuing... Even state employees are looking over their shoulders. It's getting SO competative here for the same jobs that paid 20k more just a few years ago... and we'd all jump at the chance to have one. When GSK and Lenovo are finally getting strongly into the game and SAS has been slowly but surely playing along for a few years, it's a tough market here...

[Dyler Turden]

87. I'm so sorry for your situation right now.

It's a rough row to hoe and I pray that things will work out well for you.

[Odin2005]

88. !!!

:hug:

[bluestate10]

89. Move to North Carolina or a Northeast state

Georgia is one of the most backward states in the country. Georgia appeared to have been coming into the modern era during the 80's and early 90's but has taken giant steps backward since the mid 90's. North Carolina is by far the most progressive southern state economically and increasingly, socially.

[colinmom71]

109. Yeah, we were considered the most progressive Southern state up till the mid-1990's...

Or even up until the later '90's. You have no idea how "easy" a time I had dealing with applying for and implementing federal assistance for our family to help our prematurely born and subsequently disabled child during those years. Our case worker was somewhat shocked that we received SSDI benefits within a few weeks of initially applying, just 3 weeks (I just followed the instructions from the new forms I was given). I now regard the second Clinton Presidential term as "the halcyon days"... Reasonable controls over qualification for disabled services but with ease of accessibility where warranted. And the Clinton sponsored federal reduction of paperwork act played a large part in reducing our burden to prove our child deserved disability benefits.

At that time here in GA, we had no problem getting the best available medical care for our child while on Medicaid and SSDI. Although I sometimes worry that we are a middle-class white family played into how we were treated with SSDI/Medicaid at that time... Still, GA has lost ground on so many levels since the 2000 federal elections (and a couple of not wise decisions made by then governor Barnes -really? Cut services to deaf kids?!?!), and even more especially since the 2002 questionable Governor's election results...

Despite all that, I sincerely hope that you, XanaDUer, can find another fulfilling and decent paying job soon! The GA medical staff who have helped take care of our child over the years have been wonderfully helpful, welcoming, and accommodating. I wish you the best in your future endeavors, even if you find you have to move out of state to do so....

[tomm2thumbs]

91. persistence XanaDUer! wishing you all the best and much of it!

it will get better! it always does!

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

92. Sorry to hear this. :(

[Ignis]

93. Hang in there.

I know that money seems like the primary concern, but remember to keep your physical, mental, and emotional health up through unemployment.

But on the plus side, you get to escape Georgia. ;)

[Blutodog]

94. Good luck!

I'm a 99er as they call us. When I lost my job over 2 yrs. ago I had no idea what I would be facing. Not to scare u but it's like no recession I can ever re-call and I remember them all since the early 70's. So, I wish u luck. One good thing for u is it sounds like your in the Medical field and a lot of work seems to still exist in that area.

[Larkspur]

95. Sorry to hear about your layoff. I feel your pain and anger.

I was laid off in Nov. 2008, but was hired back on a contract basis by the end users of the environment I once managed. I'm a computer programmer and they gave my duties to an H-1B visa contractor from India. He also got the tasks of 2 others in our group who were laid off, so he couldn't maintain the environment the way the end users needed it to be maintain.

The end users are advocating for me to get my full time job back but the culture right now is in layoff and outsource mode.

Best of luck to you!

[Beacool]

96. I'm sorry to hear that!!!

It must be the week for layoffs. On Tuesday my company let go over 500 people nationwide. I wasn't in the office since I'm home on medical leave for a couple of weeks. I'm glad that I wasn't there. It would have been hard to have seen some of my coworkers pack their belongings and say goodbye.

This economy really stinks!!!

I wish you the best and hope that all works out for you.

:(

[DesertFlower]

97. so sorry. nt

[pezDispenser]

98. good luck n/t

[AnArmyVeteran]

100. I wish you and your family the very best in these hard times.

I hope something very good comes your way very soon.

[mahina]

101. Aloha XanaDUer, hope your intuition guides you to a better position.

Might be a nice time for a little road trip to have a look around.

So glad you have some bennies. I'm sure good things are coming your way.

Aloha.

[tortoise1956]

102. Sorry to hear that, X,

But at least you have some serious skills and education to help you find another job. Just don't give up or lose hope.

Quick story: My stepson was out of work for 18 months here in Vegas. he, his girlfriend and their beautiful 2 year old daughter stayed with us until he finally found a place that would take him on as a temp. Looks like he'll go to permanent status soon.

If he could find a job here, in about the worst job market in the country, I'm sure that you will find one too.

In any case, good luck.

[kcass1954]

105. I'm so sorry. Vent here as needed. n/t

[defendandprotect]

108. Really sorry to hear this -- and having to relocate ... which seems to be

the sunny side of things for you --

My son is still unemployed -- good luck to all of us!!


:group hug:

[Matariki]

110. me too.

:(

[Sherman A1]

111. Best of Luck to You

I hope that you find something quickly. In the mean time..... take everything they give you and try to squeeze out a bit more from them if you can.

[BlueJac]

113. Good Luck!

[Citizen Worker]

114. Spoke with a childhood friend yesterday who told me that his spouse was sweating out a possible

layoff. She is one of 20 people working in the IT dept of a large insurance company. A hatchet man from corporate came into their office and pointed at five people. They were gone immediately, ushered out the door by security.

[XanaDUer]

121. I am not sure what the criteria are

some folks over at the Froot Loop Factory get escorted out. Some don't. As soon as I was told, I asked if I could leave right away. Since, I figured, I am not doing shit there again for anyone, why not split and have a few days' rest?

One long timer had the grace and class to give them the old two weeks' notice, and was paid back by being told five minutes later that she had to clear out. Her coworkers had a PARTY for her, and she had to leave. They were sitting there with cake and ice cream and presents. This is about the level of that low-class place.

They made one concession - instead of the guards walking her out, they, instead, allowed one of her (shocked) co-workers to walk her out to her car, in case this lady in her 50s did something. I mean, she got another job. She was leaving the state. WTH?

Me, I just left and wished the remaining zombies good luck, 'cause they're gonna need it, lol!

[Enthusiast]

115. Processes improvement is

probably code word for increasing profits. Such is the nature of our wonderful for-profit medical delivery system.

[Enthusiast]

116. K&R

I wish you luck in your future job prospects.

[TexasObserver]

118. Good luck!

Sorry to hear about this turn of events.

[SalmonChantedEvening]

120. Peace be with you XanaDUer.

Hopefully your situation and location will both improve soon. :loveya:

[laylah]

123. I am sorry to hear this.

:hug:

Jenn

[ncrainbowgrrl]

124. So SO sorry to here this news.

Many hugs, I totally empathize with what you're feeling right now. I had 4 years, 4 months at my place of work before I joined the ranks of the "disappeared". At 5 years, you can always be guaranteed health insurance by buying into the system here at standard rate for every retiree/spouse/relocated individual in a different state.

With a bunch of pre-existings, I was more than upset... not so much the job, as strange as that might seem... but that guaranteed relatively affordable health insurance. And then it became the job as well.

Mine was (can't prove it) retribution from a worker's comp case. Thought about suing. Couldn't prove it. We also were losing money at a remarkable rate... yet people with less time there were safe. :wtf:

anyhow, just wanted to offer hugs.

Peace.

[dotymed]

129. I'm sorry XanaDUer

What a wonderful life for all of us serfs......

[Le Taz Hot]

131. Truly sorry for your situation.

Husband and I are both on unemployment. Believe me, there are MILLIONS out here who feel your pain.

[XanaDUer]

144. Thank you, truly

And, I am so, so sorry. Where we've gone as a country at this point is...scary.

Hang in there. I will be meeting with the HR folks to knock out what they owe me and go from there.

[nyc 4 Biden]

134. . . .

:hug:

[timtom]

135. Oh, crap! I know the feeling well!

I truly hope that another opportunity presents itself to you very soon.

[bdamomma]

136. so sorry to hear, it just really sucks what is happening to

people who want to work.

[Imagevision]

137. I know some guys & girls been out of work 2 years++ already

[Mimosa]

138. Blessings to you, XanaDUer.

My heart goes out to you.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

139. Arg! XanaDUer, I feel for you!

I wish I could FIX everything---I HATE to see people suffering and I hate all the bullshit euphemism happy-face stickers your workplace (and all the big corporations) plaster over the heartless actions they take. It makes me SICK with anger for your sake and everyone's!!

OK, well, after righteous anger, you (we, me, all of us) HAVE GOT TO get back up and look for the next best thing to do. And stay calm in the moment whenever possible.

Oh I just wish I could offer more relief than just supportive words.

:hug:

[riverbendviewgal]

140. so sorry for your job loss

BUT...this may be the opportunity for you to find a more friendly place that fits you. Perhaps you may look into a blue state that suits your views better. Visualize yourself being happy on a new job surrounded by great people. Maybe even Canada.....up in northern Ontario we need doctors...most don't want to come because they like the city amenities...

Up here most of us all love Obama and wish he was ours....

Good luck. Louise Hay has some good affirmations. I find they help me greatly.

[femrap]

145. I'm sorry....

Hell, I thought the Medical Field was a good place to be.

I'm jobless as well....and 3 weeks from being a 99er.

Peace back at ya!

[davidwparker]

146. Sorry to hear that. n/t

[ashleyforachange]

147. I feel ya...

I'm in the same situation but have been jobless for the past couple of months. Hopefully you can obtain unemployment because it will be helpful. I wasn't able to get unemployment since they rejected my application without telling me. I wish success in finding a new job or career.