Being faced with unemployment is a difficult thing to wrap your mind around. For someone, like me, who has worked their whole lives, this situation brings about new emotions and concerns. I would like to say that I didn’t see it coming however, I have known for a while that change was on its way. I will admit that I was naïve in thinking that I would be except from the change. I mean, I am a great employee. I have received numerous accolades from customers detailing how great it is to work with me. I am extremely knowledgeable, quick, and thorough… which is more than any of my co-workers can say. In fact, I have many customers who refuse to deal with anyone else, other than me. So, how could I not feel blindsided when the news came? It is completely understandable and natural to go through many different emotions. In the past month I have experienced…
Hurt – How could they do this to me? I have been a GREAT employee for over 4 years. My boss has frequently told me, I am the best employee they have ever had. I am the lowest paid, yet the hardest working employee you have and this is how you repay me? I have personally saved this company Thousands of dollars. It was ME who discovered those customers who were abusing the credit privilege. It was ME who checked each and every order discrepancy for accuracy. It was ME who sent report after report of employee and customer errors. Yet, none of that matters. “It’s just business”, they say. No matter what your “business” is, you are also dealing with human beings and the welfare of those families. Businesses should have a certain ethical obligation to protect employees from the money hungry executives. My personal job was lost so the company could hire 2 part-time employees and not be required to pay for benefits. The rest of the employees at this facility were “downsized” because the owner bought a new “toy” which he could not afford to run.
Anger – How could you “downsize” ME? I am here before 8:30 every morning, opening the doors. I stay until after 5 to lock those same doors. I am here when it snows, I am here on holidays, and I am here when others call in “sick”. Why would you choose to keep someone with less knowledge, less motivation, and less drive?
Fear – I only made $10/hr before. How am I ever going to make ends meet on unemployment? And what, pre tell, am I supposed to do without health insurance? I am a single mom. Making ends meet was not easy before. It is going to be almost impossible now. I have done the calculations, I will only bring home $282 a week. Out of that I will still have to pay income taxes, which brings me down to about $200 a week. So, were looking at about $866.66 a month, minus $460 for rent, minus $100.00 for electricity, minus $35.00 for phone, minus $155 for insurance, minus $65 for my storage unit. That leaves about $50 a month for food, gas, medication, and everything else. Hopefully I’ll be able to get some government assistance. I’m sure I’ll be able to get food stamps but, the wait list for Section 8 is still 2 years long.
Sadness – I am truly going to miss (almost) everyone I work with. For 4 years I have created some close relationships with my fellow co-workers. You figure, I spend more (awake) time with them than I do my own family. Although we may all say we’ll keep in touch, we know most of us probably will never see each other again.
Embarrassment – Up until now unemployment has been for someone else, not me. Government assistance? No thank you. I can take care of my family on my own. Now I have to deal with the shame and embarrassment of not being able to provide for my family without help. This is truly a new situation for me, and it is not a pleasant one.
These are just a few emotions that people facing unemployment will experience. It is completely normal and natural however, you cannot wallow in your self-pity. All of these emotions will only get you so far. There comes a time when you have to realize that change (however painful) is inevitable. And, who knows? This may be a blessing in disguise. A part of me is actually looking forward to being a “stay-at-home mom” for a little while. I’ll be able to walk my son to the bus stop and be there when he gets dropped off in the evening. I’ll be able to volunteer in his classroom. I’ll be able to have a good, wholesome meal sitting on the table for dinner. I’ll finally be able to do the things I don’t seem to have time for now. My message here is this; feel the pain, feel the hurt, feel the embarrassment, but don’t let those feelings absorb you. You must get in the correct frame of mind to be able to move forward and make the best out of this situation.
