Why can't some decisions be easier???

[wdwfan16]

Some of you may have followed my threads on my DH being laid off. He's been laid off since February. His previous employer called yesterday to offer him a "position" and bring him off lay-off. He went in to talk to them today. The offered him a lesser position, all they apparently are authorized to hire for right now, making $16 an hour. This is $800 a month less than what he was making before. He is making more on UE right now!!

They said they said that there is a possibility in 30-60 days that they can give him his old position back with his previous pay, but they can't guarantee it.

DH is torn. Does he stay on UE and pray for a better position to come along, when it has been VERY slow in that department? Does he take this drastic cut in pay (and in responsibility) and pray that they can re-instate him to his old position/salary soon? Or does he go back, continue to look for another job, and pray that one comes up SOON?

How on earth do we survive on $800 a month less? We are already down to the bare bones...I could not cut $800 of crap out of our budget...there isn't enough there to cut!

We have two kids...a teen and a tween....I just don't know how we're going to do this! I wish I knew what the lesson is for us...I can't figure it out.

Is it $800 less than his old job or $800 less than unemployment.

If it was me I would take the job and then keep looking. It is easier to get a job when you have a job.

Also, if they offer and he turns them down they could tell unemployment and he could lose his unemployment.

 

[yoopermom]

Honestly, I'm a teacher who's been laid off twice in the past five years. I took a 25% pay cut for the last job (which lasted a year), and was GLAD to have it. I'm madly applying, and know that all the power is in the hands of the employers---there's enough people out there looking they can offer whatever they want.

Since you have your education degree could you look at teaching summer school in a district near you? Often the regular teachers don't want to do this. Could you sub next year or work as an aide, would the $$ be better than what you're doing?

Do your kids have grandparents/other relatives who would suppliment their summer fun? Wouldn't necessarily mean paying for expensive camps, maybe just inviting them over for a week, taking them to the park, etc, etc. Fun for them doesn't have to cost $$.

Hugs to you, and good luck...

Terri

 

[hereyago]

Even in my state even with partial unemployment, you cannot refuse any type of work from your employer. I have seen a employee get called on her regular day off and the employer even write on the schedule that she refused work and I am sure they wrote it down on the benefits form.

 

[Cindy B]

Here's a thought:

I used to work at summer camps so my kids could go to the camp for FREE and I would get paid for working. Sure the pay wasn't that great (in 2001 it was about $8/9 hour) but to have two kids in camp for FREE was worth it.

I also worked at a YMCA which even paid less, but the kids got to go to activities and lessons for FREE!

If you have your education degree and are certified you may be better off quitting what you have and either subbing for a public district or taking an aide position at a public district. I was an aide back in 2003-2005. I didn't get paid much HOWEVER, I did get free health insurance for ME and my KIDS from day one. After one year, my DH got free health insurance. Along with that was free mail in RX's and low copay for doctors.

Once I got my substitute credential, I figured out that I could work 2.5 days as a sub and get paid more money than as an aide. So I resigned from being ad toide, became a sub. (I also opted to withdraw health benefits and went on Dh's plan) I made 2.5X more money annually subbing.

I also worked an extended school year for two summers.. loved it! The best part was that my kids (now preteens/ teens) were able to come the last week and get community service hours.
Teaching jobs are getting cut in NJ-- so many NJ teachers are going out to PA schools for jobs.. so a full time school year teaching position may be difficult.

However in some district, aides make about 28-32K a year. Yes AIDES! Remember the starting teacher salary is about 48-49K so 28-32K is less but not bad at all for an aide positon. (I certainly didn't make THAT!)

 

[starann]

Marcy, I'm not sure where V you are, but Wegman's on 512 has had 'hiring part time help' signs up for awhile now. I have heard they are one of the best places to work in PA, so maybe you can apply there for some PT work over hte summer?

I understand that you can't leave the kids alone all day.....a teen and a tween will KILL each other!! LOL!

Babysitting might be a good idea....esp if you are 1.cheap enough for those who are needing it and 2. flexiable (off hours, intermittent days..esp for teachers who have summers off, but want child care a day a week or every 2 weeks so they can get stuff done). I would post at the school you work at as well as craigslist. When we were looking for car for our boys, we looked there as well as the paper and friends reccomendations.

Also you may want to look into 'senior care.' Basically babysitting for seniors (as a visiting nurse we often see families who are looking for intermittent care for an hour or 2 here and there so they can get errands done and not have to worry about their loved one falling). Or Errand running such as taking them grocery shopping, to Dr appts, picking up scripts at the pharmacy. There are agencies (Home Instead, Angels at your Service) that you can see if they are hiring (sometimes they needs CNAs, but others need 'normal' people with a good head on their shoulders). The plus of going with an agency is steady work, but you have to go by their hours, at least by posting at church or school or craigslist, you can maybe set your own hours.

I'll let you know if I hear anything else!

 

[marcyinPA]

Marcy, I'm not sure where V you are, but Wegman's on 512 has had 'hiring part time help' signs up for awhile now. I have heard they are one of the best places to work in PA, so maybe you can apply there for some PT work over hte summer?

I understand that you can't leave the kids alone all day.....a teen and a tween will KILL each other!! LOL!

Babysitting might be a good idea....esp if you are 1.cheap enough for those who are needing it and 2. flexiable (off hours, intermittent days..esp for teachers who have summers off, but want child care a day a week or every 2 weeks so they can get stuff done). I would post at the school you work at as well as craigslist. When we were looking for car for our boys, we looked there as well as the paper and friends reccomendations.

Also you may want to look into 'senior care.' Basically babysitting for seniors (as a visiting nurse we often see families who are looking for intermittent care for an hour or 2 here and there so they can get errands done and not have to worry about their loved one falling). Or Errand running such as taking them grocery shopping, to Dr appts, picking up scripts at the pharmacy. There are agencies (Home Instead, Angels at your Service) that you can see if they are hiring (sometimes they needs CNAs, but others need 'normal' people with a good head on their shoulders). The plus of going with an agency is steady work, but you have to go by their hours, at least by posting at church or school or craigslist, you can maybe set your own hours.

I'll let you know if I hear anything else!

I applied to Wegman's (on 512) in February....I've heard NOTHING. Maybe I should re-submit my app. on line again?? I'd love to work in their bakery or the kids club!

 

[njcarita]

nothing prevents him from taking the job and still looking for a better position while he's employed....If something better comes along..grab it.....

 

[allison443]

I thought about that, actually. I've never taught any age higher than 2 though! I have my degree in El Ed, but it's been a LONG LONG time since I've done anything with that age group. Is it like riding a bike?!

I had thought about babysitting this summer...or maybe "nanny-ing" would be a better term. Maybe if I put the word out at the preschool I teach at, someone would take me up on it?!

Babysitting was the first thing I thought of when you said you were a teacher and don't work in the summer...around here, many working parents of school age children use the before and after care programs at school for their childcare, and therefore they need to find alternatives in the summer. Maybe you could put the word out at your preschool, those parents might have older kids also, or know other families. I think many families would appreciate having their kids cared for by a teacher in the summer!

Good luck to you and your family!