Worst week ever.....and it's only Tuesday!

[Bunchkin]

And I don't think it's going to improve any.

Both DD (5yr old) and DS (6 months old) are both really sick. DH & I took them to the doctor yesterday and was told they both have ear infections and bronchitis.
We had found out a couple of months ago that DD had bronchitis, and she has had ear infections in the past as well. But she seems to be getting sick often from the other kids at her preschool. The baby is just miserable. Soooo fussy, coughing terribly,runny nose, no appetite and very lathargic. DD is a little better but has been sick for over a week now.

I could *handle* sick children...if that was all there was.

But this morning at around 6:30 my DH is listening to a voice mail message on his cell phone. At the same time the baby throws up his entire bottle he just had plus his medicine. It's all over him and his highchair. And as my DH sets the phone down and I ask for help (he didn't see what was happening) he tells me that the voice mail was from him boss LAYING HIM OFF!!!
13 years of work for this company and DH get's a VOICE MAIL telling him he's out of a job!!!!!!!
DH's boss had been indifferent with him ever since he was injured on the job a year and a half ago. DH is an electrician and a light pole fell on him, and he was off of work for 3 1/2 months. Ever since then things have seemed tense. Recently a person an a job site complained to DH's boss about him and instead of just sending someone else to work there and sending DH to another job site, he gets laid off. Which is just another word for FIRED with being able to collect unemployment.
His co-workers think this is rediculous. All our friends can't believe this either!!
My DH was with the company the longest of all the other employees too!!

I really think his boss is just pi**ed about the $$ workers comp paid to my DH for his injuries. And that his boss has been just waiting it out to fire him.
Isn't that what workers comp is for....and this was the first time DH was ever hurt on the job. His boss has always been a money hungry jerk.

And I'm a SAHM, so there is no income on my behalf coming into the home.



I don't know what to think. I don't know what to do.
To say I'm unhappy would be an understatement.

 

[KimRaye]

Wow, Nicole, I'm so sorry to hear about Lauren and Hunter and, now Tony! What a shock! And, he was soo busy with work, too. His boss can't use lack of work as an excuse, can he?

If the boss was unhappy with paying the workers comp claim, than he won't be much happier paying unemployment either. His rates will go up.

Seriously, if Tony ever nevers some side work, I pay cash and, I need a lot of odd jobs done around here.

{{HUGS}} for you!

 

[RNMOM]

I am so sorry all of this is coming down so hard right now. That is just too much to deal with for anyone. I hope the kids are getting better. If not, call the doctor and let them know.

DH and you need to take a couple days to think and form a plan. If his "lay off" is like mine was and several other people I know...a better opportunity may be waiting just around the corner for you all. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
I think you do get unemployment for layoffs, I did.

 

[Disney Doll]

Relax and think for a couple of days, and have your DH really do some soul searching. If he feels he was unfairly laid off, then I would contact his union(if he is a memebr of one), the labor oard, and a lawyer who specializes in labor issues. If he is being retaliated against for a workmen's comp claim, there may be some recourse.

Tha fact that his boss laid him off in a voice mail only illustrates the character(or lack thereof) of a boss. That's a cowardly way to do something like that. A decent boss has the decency to do that in person, no matter how hard it is. Even though right now things seem bleak, it doesn't sound as if your DH was having a good work experience with this boss anyhow. Perhaps this is another door opening?

Keep the faith.I will send some prayers your way that a wonderful opportunity arises soon.

 

[Lars624]

Oh honey....I know what you're going through {{{hugs}}}!
My DH was laid off on 1-3-03. It was a complete shock to us! He got no severence pay at all...only the vacation pay that he had coming for this year. However that was enough that he wasn't eligible for unemployment for the first 3 weeks he was off We had no $ coming in at all & he was feeling pretty down I refused to give up & kept a positive attitiude, even though it was tough to. He got a job last week making more $ than before He actually ended up having a choice between a few jobs that were offered to him. He was off for 3-1/2 weeks & we never did get any unemployment checks.
Keep your chin up & be positive & encouraging for your DH...he'll need it. I'm sure he'll find something even better than he had!Feel free to PM me if you need to talk.

 

[helenabear]

Nicole, I am so sorry to hear all this. If the kids being sick weren't bad enough, now this happened to Tony I am so sorry! I agree if you think he was unfairly let go, then he can contact a lawyer about it. A friend of mine was about to do this until she found a new job and decided not to bother with it. That is so terrible though... I know Luis and I survived after his layoff so I hope things work out wonderfully for you all too. Hang in there {{{hugs}}}

 

[Mskanga]

Bunchkin
Did the boss ever give him a reason why?? I'm very sorry that this is happening to you but I'm one of those firm believers that things happen for a reason, maybe this is a blessing in disguise for your dh to get a better job. {{{{{hugs}}}}}}

 

[pollyanna]

((Hugs)) Hopefully,because your DH has a marketable skill,he'll find something quickly.

((TWo weeks ago my company laid off 20 employees....3 had been there 30 years,,,the rest all over 10. We are a highly specialized operation with no other similar companies in this state...I don't know what the higher paid fellows are going to do-move out of state? One of the 30 year guy's daughter had gotten married 4 days earlier,so he's facing those bills along with 2 kids in college.
It is a very sad & tense time for the remaining employees-when long time workers are let go for no reason.))

 

[Serena]

That is awful! I'm sorry. {{{hugs}}}

 

[Dan Murphy]

Very sorry to hear this, Nicole. As said here, and so often, is something better usually comes as a result. Sounds strange to me, the circumstances and all. My very best to you both, I know with Tony's personality and ambition he will do well. Hope Lauren and Hunter are feeling better today. {{Hugs}}

 

[December99]

Oh Nicole and Tony....I'm so sorry to hear this happening.....I can't imagine and I agree with some of the others....sit back today and talk about what has happened, and see if there is any recourse that can be counted for...it sounds like there could be. Hopefully Tony didn't delete the voicemail......I would keep it and also transcribe it too....could come in handy later!

Hope the kids are doing a bit better today - I know what that sickness is like - Britt has had bronchitis already this year too and looked like she was heading to it again....

 

[Bunchkin]

The reason his boss says he fired him (in the voice mail) was that he "needed to make some changes". Whatever that is supposed to mean!
But then later my DH called and spoke to his boss and asked him WHY! And he said it was because of the general contractor on the job not wanting him around. So instead of moving him to a new job site, he gets fired.

There are other things in the works. My DH does do side jobs for our own business. He does the electrical work in new homes for a few contractor friends of ours. But that still is not enough money to live on. He has always done this work at night or on the weekends.

But now DH is thinking of expanding on this to a more full time endevor.
And DH has a good friend who remodels condos in a high rise in downtown Chicago that face the lake. Schmancy Fancy condos for the Chicago rich & famous. DH is going to do some electrical work for him starting tomorrow (he has done this in the past when work has been slow).

But we need to come up with a permanent solution soon. We will be loosing our health benefits through my DH's union. Not good!

 

[Robinrs]

Wow, Nicole!

Thank God your DH has a marketable profession, I am in AWE of anyone who deals with electricity! Prayers that he finds a permanent gig soon, but I have all the faith in the world that he will!

As for the kids, they always get better but getting them better wears MAMA out! Hang in there, sweetie!

 

[oldkicker]

What an terrible time you're having!

I hope the kids are felling better soon and that your DH finds a permanent job again. I think it's just awful that he was let go via a voice mail...{{hugs}}

 

[browneyes]

We will be loosing our health benefits through my DH's union.

Call his union and let them know what happened. Maybe his boss couldn't have fired him?

{{hugs}}

 

[Mskanga]

I was just going to say that...call the union!

 

[Boots]

{{{{{HUGS}}}}} I hope that things get much better for you soon.