Miscellaneous

I'm currently dealing with an issue regarding my unemployment claim in Pennsylvania. I uploaded my pay stubs, which show six times my usual earnings, and was initially informed that my holiday pay would be considered as part of my claim. However, it turns out that the holiday pay might not count, even though all my earnings are from after May 26. I'm on hold with the unemployment office right now, trying to get clarity on this situation.

I was laid off from my job on May 29 and received three weeks of severance pay on June 2. I filed for unemployment on June 1, but when I was certifying my unemployment on June 14, I completely forgot to report the severance pay. I only remembered when a coworker who was also laid off asked if I had reported it. Now I'm worried about whether I should report the severance in the next certification period and if I might get in trouble for not mentioning it earlier. I'm based in California, and I'm feeling anxious about the potential consequences.

I was recently laid off for the second time, and while it stings, this time it feels a bit less painful since the entire office was let go together. We’ve all shared this experience, which somehow makes it easier to cope. I'm currently contemplating a new idea that I've received positive feedback on, but I'm at a crossroads about whether to move forward with it. After losing my job, I found myself reflecting on two main thoughts. First, I realized how many talented individuals I worked with and how it felt disheartening that we were all suddenly scattered. Second, I noticed a lack of clear paths for laid-off employees to find their next opportunities; it’s like we’re left to navigate this alone. This has inspired me to develop a concept where laid-off workers can volunteer for short-term projects, collaborating in teams to help businesses tackle specific challenges, like setting up a sales department. This way, companies can benefit from experienced professionals who know how to deliver results, while we get a chance to work again, possibly alongside familiar colleagues. I'm trying to gather some insights: Would you consider signing up for this type of work? Do you prefer working solo or in a team? Would it be more appealing if you could work with people you’ve collaborated with before? What might deter you from participating? And is there anything you wish existed to support you after a layoff? I appreciate any feedback you can provide. Thank you!

I was laid off as a union painter in December 2025 after being with the company for three years. I've been in the painting industry for 21 years, primarily focusing on industrial work. During my time there, I would receive weekly texts about available work, usually every Friday, but the winter months were always slow. After my unemployment benefits ended, I reached out to the owner and my supervisor multiple times over the course of five months, asking about potential work opportunities. I was told that painting jobs were scarce and that they would contact me when things picked up. Three weeks later, I followed up again, inquiring if I should start looking for another job. To my surprise, I received a response from the same person who had previously assured me that work would come. This time, I was informed that I would no longer be needed because I supposedly wasn't good at my job, lacked attention to detail, and that others had to clean up after me. This was shocking to me, as I had never received any negative feedback during my tenure and had always been praised for my work ethic and performance. Now I'm left wondering if this is even legal. Shouldn't I have received some form of discipline or warning before being let go? I'm considering hiring a lawyer to discuss my situation further. I'm 60 years old and live in Ohio, so I'm feeling quite lost and unsure about my next steps.

I recently left a review on Glassdoor after going through a lengthy interview process with a company where I was referred by someone internally. I had a final interview with HR and the hiring manager, and I was told I would hear back within a week. Unfortunately, I got ghosted, which was really disappointing considering the effort I put in and my relevant experience. They mentioned they were hiring multiple people for the role, so I felt I had a fair chance. In my review, I shared my experience of the month-long process, the types of questions I was asked, and how I would have felt more positive if I had received an offer. To my surprise, I received a response from their People Operations team thanking me for my feedback. They acknowledged the lengthy process and expressed regret that I wasn't selected, emphasizing that my qualifications were considered. They also encouraged me to stay connected for future openings that might align better with my skills. While it was nice to get a response, it still stings not getting the offer.

I recently faced a major setback in my job search after being unable to pass a background check. I had hoped that working with a temp agency would help me find a position, especially since they contract with many employers. However, I was informed that no one would take me due to my felony record, which stemmed from a non-violent offense that resulted in six months in jail. I figured that since many of the positions offered by the agency were in factories and construction—jobs that typically don't involve public interaction—there might be some leniency regarding background checks. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. Even though I spoke with an employer who had spent four years in prison himself, my six-month sentence flagged my background check and disqualified me from consideration. I'm feeling pretty hopeless right now, contemplating whether to file for disability or worse. I’ve seen some suggestions about exploring gig work or talking directly to small business owners, and I’m considering those options. I just wish there were more opportunities for people like me who are trying to rebuild their lives.

I recently went through a phone interview for a part-time Medical Assistant role at an urgent care facility. The interviewers seemed very impressed with my qualifications and scheduled me for an in-person interview. This morning, I attended the interview, and by the end, the interviewer expressed enthusiasm about bringing me on board, even mentioning a start date within the next week. However, just a few hours later, I received a text stating that an internal candidate from another location had accepted a full-time position, which meant they no longer needed a part-timer. I found this situation quite strange and disappointing. Has anyone else experienced something similar?

I'm looking for advice regarding my mom, who is 61 and currently working in Quality Assurance for a non-profit. She's been under a lot of stress lately, especially after losing my stepfather last December and dealing with mini strokes due to that stress. Her job has been particularly tough, filled with office politics that she struggles to navigate. Recently, she came home in tears after facing another issue at work and expressed a desire to quit, but we can't afford that right now since we're still recovering from her previous unemployment and my own financial situation isn't great either. I'm considering whether it would be better for her to stick it out until she can retire in a few months or if I should encourage her to look for something else or even pursue a small business idea she had. I want to support her, but I'm unsure of the best approach.

I was laid off from my job in California on May 29 and received three weeks of severance pay on June 2. I filed for unemployment on June 1, but when I was certifying my claim on June 14, I completely forgot to report the severance pay. I only remembered after a coworker, who was also laid off, asked if I had reported it. Now I'm worried about whether I should report the severance in my next certification period and if I might get into trouble for not mentioning it earlier. I've heard that it could affect my benefits, depending on the amount and how it's allocated. I'm feeling anxious about this situation.

I'm currently facing a frustrating situation with my unemployment claim in Colorado. It's my first week needing to submit weekly certifications, but my claim is stuck in manual wage verification. This means I can't submit my certs online or through the automated phone line. The only way to resolve this is to speak with someone directly, but I've tried calling about 12 times today and haven't been able to get through. I'm really worried because I've read that if I don't submit my certs, my case could be closed, which would mean losing out on payments and having to reopen the case, putting me back in the same predicament. I'm reaching out to see if anyone else has dealt with this and if they have any tips on how to get through to the office.

I work in my thirties at a company where a new boss has recently taken over. Last week, a hiring freeze was announced, and now my boss is auditing each department's work. It feels like everyone is being asked to justify their roles and prove their necessity within the company. I have a gut feeling that layoffs are coming soon, possibly by August. I'm based in the European market and I'm looking for advice on negotiating severance or layoff packages with US companies. Thankfully, I have strong savings, so I’m in a better position than some, but I lack experience in navigating layoffs and negotiations. Any insights would be greatly appreciated.

I've been reflecting on my job search journey lately and I think I've hit a wall. It's not just the typical work burnout that people talk about; it's job search burnout. I've spent countless hours tailoring my applications, updating my resume, and writing cover letters, only to find myself staring at an empty inbox most days. The waiting can be so exhausting and demoralizing. I feel like many of us are going through this without even recognizing it because we aren't technically employed yet. Has anyone else experienced this kind of fatigue during their job search?

I’ve been unemployed for 10 months now, and it feels like I’m losing my mind. Despite having a degree in software engineering and graduating with highest honors, I haven’t even landed an interview. The job market is brutal, and I feel like I’ve invested so much time and money into my education for nothing. Everyone tells me I have a great CV, but my confidence is plummeting. I moved back home, which has made things even harder. I haven’t seen my friends in over six months, and I feel completely isolated. I’m turning 27 soon, and I’m starting to think about pivoting to a different field, even though I really want to stick with software engineering. Life at home is tough. My parents mean well, but I have a brother with schizophrenia and a mother who is emotionally dependent. My father, while never directly saying it, makes me feel like a failure. It feels like I’m the issue because I refuse to change my career path. I can see the judgment in people’s eyes, as if my unemployment is my fault. Maybe it is. I feel like my life is falling apart. I’m reaching out to anyone who has been unemployed for this long—how do you cope with this situation?

I'm currently in a tech role at a company where I'm feeling increasingly insecure about my job stability. There's a high likelihood I could be laid off within the next two years, which has led me to seriously consider relocating to a lower cost of living city or even a different country. I've been thinking about the financial benefits of such a move, especially since I live in a very high cost of living area. I'm curious about what others are doing in similar situations. Are you moving for financial reasons? If so, what are your plans once you get there? Are you looking to study, retrain, or find local or online work? I know moving can be expensive, but staying here after a layoff seems imprudent given the costs. I'm weighing my options and would love to hear about your experiences.

I had a frustrating experience recently with a recruiter from a tech company where I had applied for a Content Strategist position back in February. After going through three rounds of interviews, I received the standard rejection email in mid-March. I was disappointed but moved on and continued my job search. Fast forward six weeks, and I get a call from the same recruiter. I thought maybe they were reaching out with good news or a change of plans. Instead, she casually checked in on my job search before pivoting to mention a junior coordinator role that had opened up. This position pays about $22,000 less than the strategist role and is two levels below what I had originally applied for. I’ve been in the content field for seven years, so I politely declined, but I was annoyed by the way she framed the call. Instead of being upfront about the role, she made it seem like a casual check-in. I appreciated her reaching out, but I wish she had been more transparent about her intentions.

I just finished my junior year of high school and I'm really struggling with the idea of finding a summer job. I had hoped to land an internship or a summer program, but I missed the deadlines because I was too scared to even look into them. Now, with summer here, I realize I need to find any job to fill my time, but I feel completely paralyzed by fear. For the past two years, I haven’t had a job because of this same anxiety. I feel like I’m not capable of doing anything right. My self-doubt is overwhelming; I’m convinced that I wouldn’t deserve any job I apply for and that I’d just get rejected immediately. My resume is practically blank, and I don’t have any extracurricular activities or volunteer work to fill it out. I genuinely feel like I’ve missed the boat on summer jobs since it’s already mid-June, and I’m sure all the positions are taken. I also struggle with the lack of guidance. I’ve never been taught how to apply for a job, so I have no idea where to start. I’m terrified of the process—do I just walk into places and ask if they’re hiring? Should I bring a resume? I feel embarrassed asking anyone for help because it seems so pathetic. On top of that, I’m really worried about being judged. I used to be around people who would criticize others for making mistakes, and now I can’t shake the fear that if I get rejected, people will talk about me. Since I’m applying for jobs in my neighborhood, I worry that I’ll be recognized and ridiculed. I know I’m being my own worst enemy, and I’m trying to find a way to break out of this cycle of fear and self-doubt. I’m at a point where I really need some advice or a reality check to help me move forward.

I recently owned a family business for a year, but unfortunately, it failed. At 27 years old, I graduated with an ordinary degree in electrical engineering from the UK. Since childhood, I worked alongside my father in his construction/EPC business, which gave me about four years of experience. My responsibilities included cleaning up AutoCAD files, driving, preparing technical proposals, engaging with clients, and handling supplier communications and advertising. In 2022, I started a new business that generated no revenue initially, and by 2025, we pivoted to align more closely with my father's EPC operations due to the original business's failure and significant debt. My father managed the new venture, which I initiated using power of attorney, and we achieved around $800k in revenue from a single project. My role expanded to include working with banks on guarantees and reference letters, conducting laser measurements on-site, and more direct client engagement, alongside the usual proposal editing and contract signing. Regrettably, this new business has also failed, and I've found myself in a tough spot with cash flow issues. Over the past four years, my involvement in these family businesses has yielded little financial gain, and it seems like things would go wrong just as we started to see success. I've attempted sales roles in the past, but they weren't a good fit for me. Now, I'm considering administrative, project support, or coordination roles to help me get back on my feet. However, I'm unsure about what title to use on my CV. I've been advised to simply list "Family Business," but I would greatly appreciate any suggestions on what titles I could use, what jobs I should target, and how I can further develop my skills. I'm based in the UK, but the family business is located abroad.

I recently reached out for help with my resume because I haven't been getting any calls for interviews. I shared my resume and asked for honest feedback. I mentioned that while I may have slightly inflated some numbers, I can justify them if needed. One of the top comments I received praised my technical qualifications, highlighting my certifications like CKA, CKS, and multiple AWS associates, along with my GCP ML Engineer certification. They noted that my achievement of saving $2M annually through a MongoDB-to-Kubernetes migration would definitely catch the eye of budget-conscious recruiters. However, I also received some constructive criticism. One commenter pointed out that while my resume has the right keywords for ATS, it might be too much for a recruiter or HR person to digest. They suggested I consider how I tailor my applications and mentioned tools like free Gemini or GPT that could help me score my resume without needing to rewrite it completely. Another piece of advice was to condense my resume to one page, as it might be a bit too lengthy. Overall, I appreciate the feedback and am looking to make improvements to increase my chances of landing interviews.

I was recently fired from my job in California just before the end of my 90-day probation period. My boss, who was new to her position, was very temperamental and made my work environment quite toxic. Despite having a lot of experience and trying my best to support her, she seemed to deliberately undermine me. She excluded me from important emails and meetings, and I felt like she was sabotaging my reputation. I received two performance evaluations during my probation, both praising my work, but unfortunately, I didn't keep those documents. After I was terminated, I filed for unemployment and was initially approved without any issues. However, about three weeks ago, I received a letter from the Employment Development Department (EDD) stating that my former employer was disputing my unemployment claim, claiming I didn’t do my job as instructed and that they were downsizing. EDD determined these reasons were insufficient to deny my benefits. Just last week, I got another letter saying my former employer is filing another claim against EDD’s decision. I'm really worried because my former boss has shown herself to be vindictive and dishonest. I fear she might fabricate stories to make me look unfit for unemployment benefits, which I desperately need since I haven't found another job yet. Now, I'm waiting for a hearing date and I’m unsure what to expect. Will I be in a room with her and a judge? I have no proof to defend myself since I discarded those performance evaluations. I’m looking for any advice on how to navigate this situation and whether she can be held accountable for her actions.

I currently work at a vape shop in Michigan and have been facing numerous issues related to my job. I have endometriosis, which I disclosed during the hiring process. Due to this condition, I've had to call in sick multiple times for medical appointments and even a miscarriage, all of which I have documentation for. Initially, my employer was understanding, but recently when I called in for a non-medical reason, they demanded a doctor's note. Since I couldn't provide one, they transferred me to a different location with significantly lower commission, cutting my hours in half. When I arrived at the new store, I discovered a serious cockroach infestation. There were dead roaches everywhere, including in the food stock and fridge. I documented everything with pictures and had to throw away food I had purchased. Thankfully, I was moved back to my original store, but I felt it necessary to inform my bosses about the roach situation, which they brushed off. Additionally, I have concerns about the store's practices, such as selling to minors and encouraging employees to do the same, as well as illegal sales of nitrous tanks. They also take deductions from our commission for 'inventory shrinkage' without any signed agreement from us. I've reported the infestation and wage theft, but I'm hesitant to escalate the situation further because I fear losing my job, especially since I rely on the commission. I have everything documented, but I'm unsure if my case is strong enough to pursue further action.