Was I laid off? Final update. Yes I was laid off.

[MrsPiglet]

Ok, wasn't going to post anything about this, but I think some advise.

I have been working since last May as a full time office position (one woman office). Since November the owner has told me he was going to lay off one of the two saleman and cut my hours down. Told me to go ahead and look for another job, and hopefully I could do his books after hours or on weekends. (small company) Other than a day here or there (to look for another job) I have continued to work full time since. He told me not to cut hours till I found something else.

Knowing the company was not doing to well (even tho my little pay isn't a big deal) I took days off that I had the work caught up or when there was not much to do.

So MOnday Jan. 6 I was not at work (thank god) but he laid off the one saleman. He called me that evening and warned me he had changed the password to the alarm system (didn't tell me the new password) He also said we might be able to use you more hours now.

Later on during the week I asked him how many days or hours he wanted me to work. He said with laying off the one person he didn't know at that point.

So two more weeks go by with me being busy, finalizing payroll for the year, and closing the books for December, and doing a few things the one salesman did. Every day he would make a point to ask me if I was working the next day. Jan 15, I closed the books for December and he proceeded to ask me if I could handle his books with another full time position. Asked me if I had work the for the next day, and I told him I needed to catch up on January stuff. Somehow it came up if I was working the next day and never said he wanted me to. I asked again when it was time to go home about working the next day and he didn't really answer.

So I told him to call me when he wanted me to come back to work. Remember this was Wednesday. I didn't hear from him till Monday and he called and said no one else was going to be in the office besides him and wanted me to come in a tie up a few things.

Ok in the meantime, my DD had been sick all weekend. Apparently the flu bug. So I told him I couldn't work Tuesday due to DD. I haven't heard from him again.

What do you think, Should I go in and hand him my keys or just back and wait by the phone?


update: Tomorrow will be two weeks since I worked my last day. Have not heard no more from the boss. Now what do you think, Should I return the keys or just hold tight?

 

[Disney845]

Hmmmm I really have no idea. That seems like such a weird arrangement. Far too stressful in my opinion. I think you should just take his original suggestion and find a new position in a more stable environment. And why would he think you would want to continue doing his work for him after hours or on the weekends after your "new" job? That seems weird. I would say "see ya later!"

 

[doxdogy]

If it was me personally, I would take him the keys and give them to him. If he asked me why? I would then basically tell him everything you have told us. That you aren't sure where your job stands at this point.

 

[Rajah]

If it were me, I'd continue to put in the hours when possible. He's giving you a lot of flexibility in hours, and with your DD sick and that stuff, it sounds like that worked well for you.

So, unless you need the money and hours, I would sit back and wait and see, or approach him directly and say you were confused and wanted to know what your status was so you knew how to handle things and where to go.

On the other hand, if either this frustrates you to a degree that you don't want to do it any more, you need the money or hours, or you just plain want to go somewhere else, I'd hand him the keys.

From what you've described, it doesn't sound to me like you were laid off -- yet. It sounds more like he's a little confused about how things are working with the other guy gone and he's trying to get things settled into place. I think if you'd been laid off, he wouldn't have asked if you'd be willing to do some other hours.

 

[Pin Wizard]

If it were me I'd feel like he's yanking my chain. And I'd quit!

 

[DVC-Don]

He wants you to leave, that way he does not have an unemployment claim. Cheaper.

 

[SonjaB]

Go to work. Don't leave. Make him lay you off so you don't forfeit or cause harm to your unemployment benefits. You are employed until he SAYS otherwise.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I have to agree he is yanking your chain so you quit. In that way he doesn't have to pay for unemployment benefits.
But I could be wrong.

 

[LuvTigger]

I'm curious about what type of person he is...you could look at it two ways:

1. He could be yanking your chain and wanting you to leave so he doesn't have to pay for unemployment claims.

OR

2. He is someone who is very polite and really does not want to lay you off, but might have to for financial reasons, but doesn't know how to tell you.

I think if you can determine which category he fits in, it'll help you decide what you should do, and if it's an option, whether you want to help him out a couple hours a week in your spare time.

Good luck, and keep us posted!

 

[MrsPiglet]

One said to get the hours in that is possible, but since he hasn't called I wonder if he hasn't laid me off.

I know that someone has to be doing my work very soon or they will shut off the utilities. The bills need to be paid soon.

How long should I wait? I haven't talked to him since last Monday?

 

[SonjaB]

Go to work on Monday, he has to TELL you you've been laid off.

 

[MrsPiglet]

SonjaH, I guess I didn't clarify myself too much.

I really can't go back to work til he lets me know he needs me.
I told him to call me when he wanted me to return to work. It has already been over a week since I have been there, so it would be odd for me to just show up at this point.

But I agree I think he needs to officailly lay me off so he doesn't get out of paying the unemployment.

 

[MrsPiglet]

just bumping so you can see the update

 

[Rajah]

I'd call and ask.

 

[SonjaB]

In that case, I'm with Rajah, call and ask so you can file if you'd like to.

 

[MrsPiglet]

Promise last update.

I talked to my nephew last night and told him to call me, well he didn't realize I was not working and called my job and asked for me. He was told that I quit over a week ago.

Well he called me and told me this. And I was just going to let it go and kiss the job goodbye. But the more I thought about it the more I realized I need to talk to the boss to see what was going on. I will need a reference from him for another job.

So I called and he said he had hired someone else to replace me, since he had not heard from me.

He said he never told me he never talked to me that tuesday morning aobut my daughter being sick and not being able to come in Tuesday. (I know I talked to him and not someone else since there is only3 other guys there and he is the only one wwith a squeaky voice.) I told him you know da*m well I talked to you. Then he claimed I didn't take his calls, He said he tried to call all day tuesday and Wednesday, and finally talked to DD Thursday. (Someone called Thursday when I ran to the store and DD only being 10 is instructed to tell people I am in the shower I will have her call you back. Don't want some pervert to know she was home alone. I had ran to the store, was gone 15 minutes. But he never said Jenny this is *** have your mom call me back. He has met DD on several occasions.) I figured it was just a phone solicator since they call all the time.

Then he proceeded to tell me that is what I wanted to be laid off that was fine. You are laid off. I told him you know I did not want to be laid off. And basically told him what I told you all in the first post about not knowing what to think.

He finally said I have hired someone part time to replace you and you are laid off. But I will give you an excellent reference.

So at least I know where I stand now.
Thanks for listening to me vent.

 

[Serena]

I'd take the reference and get the heck out of dodge. He wouldn't tell you you lost your job, he lied about conversations and he hired someone else?! He's got a problem.

 

[Rajah]

Originally posted by Serena
I'd take the reference and get the heck out of dodge. He wouldn't tell you you lost your job, he lied about conversations and he hired someone else?! He's got a problem.

Serena just said everything I was going to say, so I'll just say DITTO!

 

[nativetxn]

It sounds like being laid off from that job is a good thing. I hope you find an even better job very soon.

Katholyn

 

[Snow White]

Sounds like he's a real wierdo! You'll be better off somewhere else where you won't have to worry day to day about your job status!!! Good luck!