question about changing jobs/employee loyalty

[Tiggeroo]

DH just got laid off for the 3rd time in 2yrs. I was just getting us back on our feet and starting to replenish the savings. I definitely do not have the cushion for this. I work in the school and it will be another 2 weeks til I start back to work and probably another 4 till I get my first pay. Timing couldn't be more awful. He's a union hvac mechanic with alot of experience. Odds are he'll be back to work fairly quickly as it's still pretty warm out and then there will be pre-season work on heaters. But alot of the companies he works for need background checks and drug test, and they take a few weeks to get thru the hiring process. His unemployment benefits are exhausted. There are a couple of smaller companies that will hire him immediately for a bit less pay and much less in benefits. But he'd barely miss a paycheck. Would you take something like this right now while you conduct the search for a better job? If an employer asks the inev. question, you're overqualified will you leave if you get something better, would you be honest? It could turn out that it's too late in the season and whatever job he takes now he'll be stuck with over the winter.
He knows he really needs to grab the first reasonable job. And he also knows we can't afford to permanently give up the union pension plan. He's just not sure how to handle the situation. Even if he takes a job with one of these smaller companies, being the last hired he could be laid off come winter anyway.

 

[lovemygoofy]

Well you mentioned that you sort of can't live without any money coming in for the next month or so wouldn't it be better to just take job that pays? I understand about needing the extras that come with the other better jobs but I guess I would think that if I defintely needed the income anything I could get I would take with hopes of getting something better. As for answering the question in the interview about looking for something else, answer honestly. I don't think the employer would believe your husband if he said no, especially if your husband is really overqualified for the job he applies for.

I'm very sorry for your situation and hope it does get better. Sadly, your story is not uncommon and happening every day all over the country. Good luck

Tina

 

[Tiggeroo]

it's unfortunate that i've grown so jaded by corp. america. My dh's most recent employer hired him at the beginning of the summer, had him working tons of hours while they finished up a few projects and then began to cut hours. When he asked about work weeks shortening, he was given a logical explanation and told that in a couple weeks it would get better. All this time he was getting alot of calls from other companies interested in hiring him. Right before this company would become responsible for certain union benefits they lay him off. I feel they knew exactly what they were doing. Now he's stuck looking for work at the end of the season.
If he tells a company he will be looking for a better job and will leave if he gets one, they will probably not hire him.

 

[Crankyshank]

I'm so sorry you're going through this. DH is in telecomm and my old company just laid off 40% of staff, so I know what you're going through and why you're jaded.

IMHO since you need the $$, he should take the first job he can get. Always easier to find a job when you have a job. Despite what many people say, the economy is still in the toliet job-wise and I think it's understood without saying that loyalty just isn't there anymore. I doubt he'll be asked about loyalty.

 

[Tiggeroo]

In construction and industries like dh's things have the appearance of improving. And things are much better. But the companies are still leary and don't have much of a cash cushion. So they are rehiring but still keepling things lean. Union rules are last hired first gone, and for the past 2yrs dh has been the last hired therefore the first gone when things slowdown. If he made it thru a winter I would consider the problem over.

 

[powellrj]

I have always heard that its easier to get a job when you already have a job, because it shows an employer that someone already wants you. Don't know if that helps any, but good luck to you and your family.

 

[Cindy B]

Does your work at the school include benefits? I work for a school, at a fairly lower pay, but have incredible union benefits.

My thought was that since my DH is in the unpredicatable IT field, it would be better for us to have benefits instead of nothing.

Thats a rough situation to be in. I'm sorry to hear this.

 

[GoofItUp]

I have one question.....and I'm not trying to be smart, I just may not understand. Don't unemployment benefits last for 6 months or something? I remember it being in the news not too terribly long ago that they were extended. Are you sure your husband can't collect for a couple more weeks?

 

[Tiggeroo]

unemployment benefits are based on weeks paid in. But he called today. The reason he can't collect is because he already had a claim this year. I'm going to call tomorrow and ask some more questions. But I didn't think he had enough weeks in. It's interesting because before this two year period he's worked continuously since he was 14 and had never collected a dime. But it's based on weeks paid in during a specific time period.

 

[Tiggeroo]

The benefits aren't a particular concern. His union covers them for 90 days and I could switch positions at work and receive an excellent benefit package. We could also take the free coverage, then pick up cobra, and come spring he'd be back in a union position. The big concern is that he feels guilty taking a job that he knows in his heart as soon as something better comes along he is going to leave. He could find a decent union position in as soon as 3 weeks. But he would also be taking this job for security, in case he has to wait til spring.

 

[ahutton]

The first time DH was laid off (5 years ago) he wanted to wait until he found the right job for the right company. 2 1/2 months later and 5 weeks before our first child was due he took a lower paying job for less money. But that led to one contact, then another, and each contact made offered him a better opportunity. He now is in a stable work environment, and loves his job. We had to cut corners for a while, but it made it possible to enjoy the life we have now.

 

[Tink&SquirtsMom]

I honestly don't know what I'd do in your position. But IMHO your dh is showing a loyalty to the employers that they have not shown back to him... to be laid off 3 times in 2 years and especially in the manner that the most recent company did it. I say take the job that pays now and continue looking. However if that question is asked about remaining at the job I would be honest about it.

 

[Snowysmom]

I am sorry that you are facing DH's unemployment yet again. It is very frustrating but it might be a good idea to take whatever comes along to get in some money to pay bills but still look for something better. Employers no longer have any loyalty to employees so they can't expect any back. My DH will be losing his software job in a couple of months so we have had to discuss the job situation. We have a son in college and bills to pay so he would take a big pay cut just to get any job and would continue looking for a better one. I don't have benefits through my job and Cobra is so expensive. You need to look out for yourselves because no one else is going to. I hope things look up for you.