Miscellaneous

I filed for unemployment in Washington State after being fired from my full-time job in November last year. Since then, I've only worked a part-time gig for about 8-9 hours a month, which didn’t provide any significant income or benefits. I ended up quitting that part-time job while actively searching for full-time work, but now I'm facing penalties for that decision. I've been contributing to the unemployment system since I was 16, and it feels frustrating to be penalized for quitting a gig that was not replacing my previous income. I already appealed this decision back in July and was receiving benefits at that time, so I’m confused about why this process is still ongoing. Has anyone else gone through a similar appeals process and been successful? What did that look like for you?

I started a new job as a healthcare provider two weeks ago, but today I received a call from the director that completely shocked me. After just six shifts, I was informed that I was being let go due to a lack of progress. I was told that my performance was not meeting expectations, which was hard to believe since I had been seeing patients independently and receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback from them. During my training, I was initially told to just observe, but I quickly took on patient responsibilities and even saw more patients than my trainers, who seemed more focused on their phones than on their work. This situation raises a huge red flag for me, as it feels like there might have been some bias against me from my trainers. I’m still processing this and trying to understand what went wrong. It feels like I was set up to fail, and I’m considering my options moving forward, including filing for unemployment. If anyone has advice or questions, I’m open to discussing.

I’m feeling a bit anxious about the job search lately, especially with Labor Day approaching. It seems like the job postings and responses are slowing down, and I can’t help but worry that the pipeline is drying up. I find myself questioning if the algorithm is just not showing me new roles because I’m not good enough, or if the world has decided I shouldn’t be employed. It’s frustrating when it feels like everyone around me has ghosted my applications. I know it’s not just me; it’s the timing with Labor Day. Everyone else seems to be taking time off, traveling, and enjoying their lives while I’m here, still searching. I hope things pick up again after the holiday. I just want to remind myself and others that it’s okay to feel this way. Here’s to hoping we all land jobs soon, preferably with raises, and that we can avoid the cringe-worthy posts from former managers on LinkedIn!

I recently found out that my dad got an offer for a System Administrator position at a mid-size MSP in Toronto, Canada. However, there's a big issue: he lied on his résumé about his current job title. He has been working as a machine operator at a factory, but he claimed to be an IT coordinator for several years. While his education and certifications are legitimate, the discrepancy in his job title could be a problem during the background check process. He managed to pass two interviews and received the offer last week, but the company wants to run a background check through Sterling. His references should be fine since he informed them about the lie beforehand, but I'm worried that the HR department at his current job will have a different title on file, which could raise red flags. I'm really concerned about how thorough the Sterling background check will be. Will they catch the lie? If they do, could that lead to an automatic firing from the new job? Should he rescind his acceptance to avoid potential financial trouble for our family? If he quits his current job and the background check fails, we could be in a dire situation. Given the physical toll factory work has on him, I understand why he felt compelled to exaggerate his experience, but I need to know what the best course of action is for him right now.

I recently faced a challenge during job interviews where I struggled with vague questions. As someone who identifies as autistic, I find it difficult to respond to generic prompts without giving equally generic answers. For instance, when asked how I would solve a problem, my instinct is to say, "by solving it," which doesn't really provide the interviewer with the insight they need. In another instance, when asked how I would handle a difficult situation with a coworker, my mind goes blank, and I end up saying, "I would handle it," without any specifics. I realize they are looking for examples from my past, but I often freeze up and can't recall a situation that fits the question. Currently, I work with a team lead who seems to have it out for me, but I just focus on completing my tasks despite the negative atmosphere. I don't typically react emotionally to these situations, which might be why I struggle to articulate my experiences in interviews. I'm trying to find ways to give more concrete answers without sounding vague. I've received advice to ask for clarification when questions are too broad, and I’ve started creating a list of common interview questions with bullet-point answers to help me prepare. However, my anxiety often makes it hard to remember these points during the actual interview. I’m looking for strategies to improve my responses to vague interview questions while managing my anxiety.

Today, I received the unfortunate news that my time at the healthcare company where I've worked for the past 3 and a half years will end on October 1st. I've sensed this coming for about two months now, with daily meetings being canceled, my managers going quiet, and an overall dip in team morale. The workload has decreased significantly, and I haven't had any one-on-one meetings recently. This isn't my first experience with layoffs; I was let go from a different job four years ago. I can't help but feel that the current economic climate makes this situation even more challenging. I wish everyone affected by layoffs the best of luck in their job searches.

I just experienced a really frustrating situation where I got let go from a job right after the orientation but before I even started my first day. I had been excited about the opportunity and went through the entire onboarding process, only to be told that they decided not to move forward with my employment. It was such a letdown, and now I'm left wondering what went wrong and how to navigate my job search moving forward. Has anyone else faced something similar?

I was laid off by Blue Apron after four years of service. It was a shock; I received an email early in the morning stating that I couldn't log into the clock-in app. Shortly after, there was a meeting where they simply said, 'sorry, good luck,' without providing any real explanation. It felt abrupt and disheartening, like they didn't value the time I spent there. I understand that subscription meal services like Blue Apron might be seen as non-essential during tough economic times, and I worry that more layoffs could be on the horizon for them and similar companies. Now, I'm focusing on applying for unemployment and taking some time for myself to mentally reset.

I just found out that most of the staff at Star Wars Zero Company were quietly furloughed just before the launch of our highly anticipated game. As a game designer, this news hit hard, especially since we had poured so much effort into the project. It feels like a harsh reality check, as many of us were hoping for stability after the launch. I’ve been in the industry long enough to know that this kind of thing happens, but it doesn’t make it any easier. The comments I’ve seen echo the sentiment that the videogame industry mirrors the film industry; jobs are often temporary, and many of us will be left searching for new opportunities. It’s disheartening to think about what’s next.

I recently got hired at TriMkt, thinking it was a decent entry-level opportunity to gain professional experience. The interviews with Cedric and other directors were positive, highlighting growth, leadership opportunities, and a strong team culture. I didn't do my homework before accepting the job, which I now regret. The reality of the position involved selling AT&T services inside Costco and BJ's, where I was expected to approach customers and convince them to sign up. The pay structure was heavily commission-based, with only a $500 weekly base that ended up being around $400 after taxes. The financial pressure to sell was intense, especially since we worked upwards of 60 hours a week, including weekends. Additionally, we had mandatory early-morning meetings that weren't compensated, along with team-building activities that took up more of our time. What was presented as professional development felt more like an expectation to give more time without pay. After just one day of orientation, where they repeated everything from the interviews, I decided to quit. I'm now on the hunt for a new job, ideally outside the restaurant industry, but I'm prepared to return if necessary.

I recently graduated with a degree in office administration and have been actively searching for clerical or administrative work. I've been looking for jobs, internships, or any temporary positions to gain some experience, but I'm hitting a wall. It seems like every opportunity I come across requires prior experience, which I obviously don't have yet. I've even checked hospitals, but they also want experienced candidates. Unfortunately, there aren't any schools nearby that are hiring for administrative roles. It's frustrating because I see secretaries and front desk associates in almost every building I visit, so I know these jobs exist, but I'm at a loss for how to break into the field. The job market is tough, and I'm feeling overwhelmed trying to figure out my next steps.

I was let go today from my position as a Solutions Architect after a frustrating few months at the company. I had transitioned from a software engineering role where I had five years of experience, primarily working with TypeScript, believing that this new position would be a logical next step in my career. Unfortunately, it turned out to be anything but that. From the start, I was given no work for the first six weeks. My manager repeatedly told me he didn’t have time to onboard me properly, leaving me sitting in the office from nine to five with nothing to do. To keep my mind engaged, I studied for and passed the AWS Solutions Architect Associate certification, even though it felt irrelevant to my actual job duties, which mainly involved formatting Word and Excel templates based on customer requirements. When the work finally came in during week six, it was overwhelming and unmanageable, leading to a stressful situation where I had to work late into the night to meet demands. After that, the work dried up again, and despite asking multiple times for tasks, I was met with silence and indifference from my manager. I even escalated my concerns to the department manager, who extended my probation but suggested I take more responsibility, even though there was simply no work available. Things took a turn when my manager went on leave, and I was able to pick up work from other teams, which I excelled at. However, upon his return, I was called into a meeting with HR and informed that I was being let go. I learned that the decision came solely from my manager. Reflecting on my time there, I can't help but wonder what went wrong. Was the role ever legitimate? Did my early CV mishap play a part? Or was I simply the last one standing when my only advocate left the company? Now, I find myself with five years of engineering experience, a cloud certification that feels pointless, and a collection of templates I’ll never use again.

I recently faced a layoff from my role in the marketing team at a recruiting company. It's been really frustrating because we've seen a surge in new recruiters joining, yet placements have plummeted. Despite my efforts in growing our social media presence, executing brand relaunches, and launching a new website, it was my team that got cut instead of the underperforming recruiters. I know some might say our marketing wasn't effective enough, but it's disheartening to see people who have been here for a year making only one placement. This whole situation just sucks.

My girlfriend was laid off about two months ago, and it's been tough for her. She's 24 and works in HR, while I'm a 24-year-old software engineer. I want to help her, but she doesn't like it when I bring up job applications or ask about her search, so I've backed off from that. She also doesn't want me to help with rent or groceries, which makes it hard for me to know how to support her. She's been feeling down, and sometimes she says I can't understand what she's going through. We don't live together, so I can only see her on weekends or after work. I'm looking for advice from anyone who has been laid off on what their partners did that helped them, and what I should definitely avoid doing.

I recently left a toxic job that I had for about four years after graduating from university. Initially, it was a great experience with good pay and opportunities for growth, but over time it became increasingly toxic. I ended up with a terrible manager who was manipulative and focused solely on his own advancement, creating a hostile environment filled with backbiting and blame among coworkers. Eventually, I was let go by this manager. Now, I’m in a much better and more peaceful job, but I find that the negative experiences from my previous job still haunt me. I often think about the teasing and doubts from my old coworkers, and I hear my former manager's voice in my head whenever I make decisions at work. This has led me to second-guess myself constantly, making it difficult to fully appreciate my new role and focus on my growth. I’m curious if anyone else has gone through something similar after leaving a toxic workplace and how you managed to stop carrying the weight of your old boss and coworkers in your mind.

I just received the heartbreaking news that my dad passed away. After getting off work today, I rushed to my parents' house to be with my family, who were understandably devastated. I had to inform my employer that I couldn't come in after this loss. My boss was sympathetic, but the company policy only allows for three days of bereavement leave. This means I get Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday off, but if I need Friday, I have to use my PTO. It feels so inadequate to only have a few days to grieve such a significant loss. I rely on my job, and so does my family, but it's hard to focus on work when I'm going through this. I just wish companies would recognize the emotional toll of losing a parent and allow more time to heal.

I received a job offer from Working America for a canvasser position at $20 per hour. However, I've come across mixed reviews about the company and I'm feeling uncertain. I'm reaching out to see if anyone has experience working with them and can share their insights.

I work as a shift manager at a fast food restaurant and have been with the company for about 6 years. Recently, we've had a new district manager and a new company take over our store, and things have been going downhill. The expected labor percentage is way too low, and many long-term employees have quit because they were reduced to just one shift a week. We're often understaffed, managing with only four people at a time, which is barely enough to keep the place running. I make $17.75 an hour, which is above the new cap of $15, but we’re no longer allowed to earn overtime. This is frustrating because I used to work at least 45 hours a week. Today, I had to go in on my day off due to the night manager being unavailable, and I ended up working an hour of overtime. However, my general manager informed me that they would cut my paycheck back to 40 hours and hold the overtime pay for the next check. She assured me I would still get paid for all my time, but it wouldn’t be reflected as overtime on my pay stub. I know it’s less than $30 after taxes, but I’m upset because it feels like they’re manipulating the numbers to make their bonuses look good while I miss out on the pay I earned. I’ve lost trust in my manager, especially since she previously cut my hourly rate without informing me. I’m worried she might forget to add my overtime pay to the next check, especially since I’ve picked up a shift at another location. I’m wondering if this is even legal. I’ve let a lot slide from management, but this feels particularly unfair. I might need to look into my rights regarding overtime pay.

I’ve been trying to help my friend navigate her unemployment situation in Louisiana. She filed for unemployment benefits in 2022 and has been waiting for a hearing date ever since. Recently, the unemployment office requested a dismissal of her case in court, which has left her feeling really discouraged. We learned that starting December 2024, any overpayments due to fraud could lead to a theft charge, and she’s worried about the overpayment from 2022. I keep telling her not to give up, especially since she hasn’t received all the money she was entitled to. She’s scared that once her case is resolved in 2026, they might come after her for that overpayment. I’m just trying to understand if there’s any chance she could face charges and how we can better navigate this process.

I have a teaching degree that I earned about 17 years ago, but despite my efforts, I've never been able to secure a full-time teaching position. Instead, I've only worked as a substitute teacher and a part-time tutor. It's been really disheartening, especially since there's this common belief that anyone with a relevant degree should easily find a job in education. I often feel judged by others for not being able to land a full-time role, which adds to the frustration of my job search.