[Cheryl_W]

I just talked to hubby on his lunch break, and found out some bad news. They've taken away his first aid certification (they're not renewing it, and it has already expired) - and as part of that, he's losing $1.50/hr of his wage.

That might not sound so bad, but we're barely scraping by as it is, and his first aid was the ONLY thing that kept him out of the last round of layoffs. Now there is more talk of layoffs, he is apparently one mis-step away from getting fired, and they just took away the ONLY job security he had left.

Most of you know that I work freelance... The income is there, but it is intermittent and nowhere NEAR enough to live off of (especially with our expenses and baby coming and mat leave...)

I know there are jobs out there that I could get and reasonably replace his income (or at least half of it), *but* nobody is going to hire me at almost 36 weeks pregnant, and we don't have the resources to pay for daycare after baby is born (nor do I really want to put her in daycare, that was part of why I stayed home making less money - so that we didn't have to put her in care.)

What do we do? He could have his job for another hour, or another 10 years - we really don't know. For all we know, they could fire him the day I go into labor just because they can - that means no employment insurance, no paternity leave, and *surprise*! Baby is here and we have no money.

With all of the hours they were cutting earlier in the year with low production, we've already eaten away all of our savings... We've got nothing left to save us if this happens because of how much they've been screwing us around already this year. He doesn't even have vacation time left (other than his two weeks for paternity leave that he saved) because of all the BS and his back injury earlier this year.

What do we do? What CAN we do? Nobody will hire me, there are NO jobs in this area that pay even close to what he is making now (he's been there for 7 years, so he is at the top of their wage scale - no starting pay will match that) and he is basically unskilled labor (although he has 2 years of spray finishing experience in wood products from this job, but that is about it and there aren't many jobs in that field...)

Ideas? T&Ps maybe, if you feel so inclined? I just don't know what to do anymore, we just keep getting kicked down every time things start to look up...

[MommaLee]

What a pickle...and $1.50/hr is alot once you add it up. Can you all pay for him to take the certification on his own...would that help?

I'll be thinking about ya'll.

[MommyPoky]

I don't have any advice, just wanted to say I'm sorry you're stressed, and I hope everything works out one way or another

[Cheryl_W]

We could pay for him to take the course, but it is $1000 and it wouldn't guarantee him a first aid position at work. It would make him more "marketable" in the employment marketplace right now, but that is about it...

Thanks for the thoughts girls... The stress really sucks, I'm getting dizzy spells from my blood pressure changing because of it. *sigh*

I've never heard of First Aid certification costing $1000

My neighbor just got certified and she said the course was $150 and her work paid for it???? I'm confused as to why it would be that much for you guys

That was only suggestion I had. I'm so sorry and I hope that things work themselves out

[hearts.0nfire]

I don't really have any advice but you and dh will be in my thoughts and prayers.

[Cheryl_W]

It is a $1000 course because it is occupational first aid, WCB certified and its level two - its a full one week course, not just the one day course. Sucks

[denalibear]

So sorry Cheryl...I hope things get better ASAP...I will keep y'all in my T&P's

[karenwalter]

[pthree]

Ugh, what a crappy situation to be in, especially right now! It seems like when money is already tight things like this like to come up and take the rest away. We worked so hard to save up money and then it seemed like everything in our house broke and had to be fixed.

Are you crafty? Maybe you can make some stuff to sell on Etsy! We'd buy it from you I am sure no one's getting rich off Etsy, but even a little bit of extra income is better than none at all!

I'll keep you guys in my thoughts & prayers, and hope that things take a turn for the better ASAP!! (Maybe you can get Izzy into baby modeling )

[Cheryl_W]

Well if everybody wants to say some T&P, hubby found a GREAT job that he'd actually ENJOY about an hour and a bit away - he's applying for it today when he gets home. So everybody use your powers and send some job interview dust our way! LOL

The job is doing something he would actually enjoy, NOT manual labor, in a better environment, for MORE pay, with BETTER benefits and a REAL pension plan (it's a union, government job...) - oh I would be so happy for him if he got this job, I know it is something he would be so amazing at and for him to actually *enjoy* his work instead of dreading every single day... I would be such a happy wife!

So maybe all of their BS was meant to be. Maybe it was that little kick in the butt he needed to get out there and find something better, instead of sticking with the safe job that he hates, that treats him like crap!

Thanks for all the T&P girls, I'm sure you brought that posting to my attention with your prayers!

[amazing_love]

I'm sorry you guys are in a pickle! I'll pray he gets that job!!

[mlyster]

Your DH will be in my thoughts. It is amazing to have a DH who loves his job - I so hope he gets it!!

[Oreobaby]

I'm sorry Cheryl...you guys are in my T & P

[Jodi0804]

Crossing my fingers that he gets the job... sorry you are having to go through this.

[Lyz]

crossing my fingers he gets the other job!!

[~* Liss *~]

I'm sorry Cheryl!!

I'm keeping u in my T & P!

IF they let him go, I believe he could still get EI, no? It would be the same as paternity leave.

[Cheryl_W]

Liss - only if they lay him off. They've been firing people (without severance pay) for stupid things lately because they're so hard up for cash. Like, they'll walk in one morning, have a meeting, make a new rule, and then fire anyone who isn't following it (before they give notice that it is a rule.)

And yet management has actually physically assaulted staff members without reprimand and no, not even joking - DH's supervisor punched an hourly employee in the back of the head right in the middle of the plant, and got demoted (WITHOUT a decrease in pay) for 2 months. They then proceeded to fire the entire HR department and "lose" all records of the incident, hire all new HR staff, and put his supervisor back in his original position.

Did I mention that 80% of management are actually all related to one another, and that *magically* when there are big rounds of layoffs, those related to management are the first to get callbacks? Like, the next day?

Yeah, that place is so screwed up it is about time he finds something new anyway.

[~* Liss *~]

Sounds like he should find a new nice place to work....these people sound mean!

[Dóchas]

I'm so sorry ye have to go through this stress. It sounds like (please God) some good can come out of it.
It doesn't sound like a good place to work so maybe this new Job will be a god send. I'll pray that he gets it honey so you can relax and enjoy your beautiful Baby.
You are both in my T&P.