October 21, 2011 - I was terminated.....
Good evening,
So sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. This happened on Wednesday. I've been off for the past 2 days not wanting to talk to anyone. Here is what happened.
You all know for the past few weeks, Jen has been kinda nice and giving me compliments in regards to my productivity. Arlene and I got together to get this paperwork finalized, we were getting alot of it in, checked over both the grid schedule and the new template. All the insurance paperwork was basically in - especially DYouville College that we have been working to get this in. Arlene and I started at 9am, then she went to update the new template with some of the things that were missing. At 3pm, she still wasn't finished because of phone interuptions. I got some other work done inbetween (mailed out ACLS cards and did a return slip for medical supply that was incorrect). At 3:15pm, Bonnie calls and said that she needs an arm for blood pressures (they know that I needed to keep an eye out for my blood pressure due to my kidneys). I went upstairs, Judy George was there and they had only 1 person to have them check (apparently there was only a handful of Personal Care orients and didn't have enough to practice on). After we were done, Judy George and I were talking, we talked for about 20-25 minutes. She gave me paperwork to scan over to the lab and other data entry sign in sheets. On my way down, I passed Jen and Diane and Jen had an employee file in her hand - they both looked at me and smiled (I think they were shocked to see me go back to my desk). I thought "Oh Shit!" I went into Arlene's office and started to panic. Sonja - her eyes bugged out of her head when I mentioned to her. Arlene said "Don't look into it so much". I said "ok". I worked at the copy machine to scan over the sign in sheets to the lab and all of the sudden, Arlene said "Jen, they want you in HR conference room". I got really nervous and said "ok, lets get this overwith very fast". I walked down there around 3:45pm, this time Diane, Jen and Wendy from HR was in the room. Diane proceeded to tell me that the paperwork that Arlene, myself and Sonja was unacceptable and it was worse than ever before. She said nothing was accomplished and I didn't realize the seriousness of it. She then went to tell me about how I said that getting the certificate of insurance from the schools was "not important". she claimed that I said this. I didn't argue with her. Then She wanted to know why the Erie Community College contract took a year to sign. I told her that the last contract took over a year. She didn't want to hear it (I was beginning to feel the same way my friend Debbie felt when she lost her inst job at Kaleida) and that she wasn't around for the last contract (duh, no kidding!). So, they terminated me. I went back to Arlene's office and told her that I am "out". She had some boxes saved up and I used about 4-5 of them to pack up the office. Of course, Jen and Diane tried to help but I told them Arlene can help me. Thank you. I went to get my car so they can put the boxes in my trunk (I drove my car to the door and parked on the curb). Arlene is extremely upset. I felt bad that now she is to do a lot of my work. Everything is on her now. I have this feeling that eventually Arlene will retire completely this year - I don't know why. You know what! I am not upset over this. I remained calm when they told me. One thing they did mention was that I was being terminated from my present job in the department - not the hospital system. I can bid on any job in the system if its available (they said there isn't any). They said this because of my years with the hospital system. Im not sure if I want to continue with Kaleida, I have a bad taste in my mouth right now. Also, I'd be a rehire. Which means I would lose my seniority. I don't even want to be near Diane or Jen - if there was a job it would have to be out in the northtowns - like Millard Suburban, Flint Rd or (gulp! I don't want this) -- Visiting nurses association. I will look. I spoke to the Erie Community College nursing coordinator yesterday. she really felt bad - I told her about the contract and she knows that wasn't my fault (it went through her, her boss and it sat in their legal office untouched). I forgot to ask her if its ok to list her as a reference. i will call her and leave a message. I also have my Daemen College Physician assistant coordinator friend on my side too. Both chris and Robyn know that I worked really hard to get this paperwork in order. It just wasn't good enough or wasn't done in a timely manner. It was impossible to really prove to diane that I was able to get this project done but it just wasn't so. The writing was on the wall so in some instances - I expected it to happen but didn't know when. I didn't do anything yesterday or today to look for work but I need to get to the Buffalo Employment Technical Center monday morning and have them look at my resume so they can get it better. I only have a draft ready. They will be able to help me and guide me in the right direction. Then I need to get to my colleges professional service office and talk to my alumni to see what kinds of jobs they have available for me to go for (giving Steve my resume). Then getting on monster.com and posting my resume and looking at other employment websites. Along with looking into some civil service jobs (at least take some exams - even if they are not hiring, I am sure they are getting people taking exams). I have feelers out with my friend Jen at the VA hospital, Robyn who connects with many physicians for her Physician assistant students. I did apply for unemployment benefits today and finalized the claim by calling their 1-888 #. they gave me a date of 10/26 to call in for the weeks claim (its my start off claim date - after that it will be every sunday). They said I have 20 weeks for unemployment benefits. I won't know how much I will get until around monday or tuesday next week. I'll get my final paycheck in the mail on 10/27. Then my PTO will be paid out (100% or 75 hrs) the following paycheck. Overall, I will be complete with Kaleida health around the middle of November.
In away, the stress of dealing with Jen and Diane is overwith. From this point on, I will be journalling about my job search process all the way to interview to getting a new job. Wouldn't it be nice if I can get a office manager job at some dr office doing my medical coding (they would pay for me exam!) that would be my ideal job. Lets all cross our fingers. I realize its gonna take some time. I really have to not think about the statistics out there as far as the job market. If I remain positive, then the job search will be short (I am hoping). My demand isn't a real lot (I'd like to start off at 16.50 to 17.00 an hr, mostly based on my associates degree - if I didn't have a degree, my demand would be at least 15.00 to 15.50 an hr). We'll see how everything holds out.
I spoke to Sonja, she said that it felt like someone died at work. Jen and Jessica even approached her to see if she would like to go into my old office and work. Sonja said "NO!" She did this out of respect for me. She knows its my old office, she would really miss me and that she would be afraid that she would be targeted even more. I don't blame her. I think its best to give my office and my belongings to one of the nurse educators because there was 2 educators sharing an office next door. I haven't heard from Arlene since that fateful day Wednesday but I am sure I will hear from her sometime next week. I told both girls they can call me often. I wonder if they will be posting my job - Sonja will be telling me this. Sonja encouraged me to keep checking the kaleidahealth.org website for any job postings. She even encouraged me to apply over at VNA. I told her they would post the same place as the kaleida website. I don't think I really want to get back to my old job over there. Its too crazy, their union is unfair and the other unit secretaries butt heads often. I sat at that job for 7 years and I don't think I want to deal with that situation anymore. I will also look at ECMC, Catholic Health system and Bri-lin(mental hosp) for administrative jobs. Not sure what they have available but I will find out next week and let you guys know. I told Sonja that I now fear for all of them because if they documented everything that I did wrong (BS stuff) and now that I am out of the picture - there will be a new target. They are all walking scared now. Dissappointed that I am not in. Apparently, they are all afraid to even be in my old office for 5-6 minutes, they walk in, get what they need and run out and close the door.
ok, its time to close a chapter of this saga and open a new chapter - job search quest here I come! I certainly hope its a short one. I am really eager to start the search and interview process. With my years at the hospital system, associate degree - I am hoping I will be the top of the list. I'll keep everyone posted with any new updates that Sonja and/or Arlene tell me (if they fill my position, if someone gets targeted). This time I will be in the outside looking in - thats where I need to be. These past 2 days I really felt relaxed and the stress has decreased some. I am no where near 100% but I can say that I am at least 65-70% there.
So sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. This happened on Wednesday. I've been off for the past 2 days not wanting to talk to anyone. Here is what happened.
You all know for the past few weeks, Jen has been kinda nice and giving me compliments in regards to my productivity. Arlene and I got together to get this paperwork finalized, we were getting alot of it in, checked over both the grid schedule and the new template. All the insurance paperwork was basically in - especially DYouville College that we have been working to get this in. Arlene and I started at 9am, then she went to update the new template with some of the things that were missing. At 3pm, she still wasn't finished because of phone interuptions. I got some other work done inbetween (mailed out ACLS cards and did a return slip for medical supply that was incorrect). At 3:15pm, Bonnie calls and said that she needs an arm for blood pressures (they know that I needed to keep an eye out for my blood pressure due to my kidneys). I went upstairs, Judy George was there and they had only 1 person to have them check (apparently there was only a handful of Personal Care orients and didn't have enough to practice on). After we were done, Judy George and I were talking, we talked for about 20-25 minutes. She gave me paperwork to scan over to the lab and other data entry sign in sheets. On my way down, I passed Jen and Diane and Jen had an employee file in her hand - they both looked at me and smiled (I think they were shocked to see me go back to my desk). I thought "Oh Shit!" I went into Arlene's office and started to panic. Sonja - her eyes bugged out of her head when I mentioned to her. Arlene said "Don't look into it so much". I said "ok". I worked at the copy machine to scan over the sign in sheets to the lab and all of the sudden, Arlene said "Jen, they want you in HR conference room". I got really nervous and said "ok, lets get this overwith very fast". I walked down there around 3:45pm, this time Diane, Jen and Wendy from HR was in the room. Diane proceeded to tell me that the paperwork that Arlene, myself and Sonja was unacceptable and it was worse than ever before. She said nothing was accomplished and I didn't realize the seriousness of it. She then went to tell me about how I said that getting the certificate of insurance from the schools was "not important". she claimed that I said this. I didn't argue with her. Then She wanted to know why the Erie Community College contract took a year to sign. I told her that the last contract took over a year. She didn't want to hear it (I was beginning to feel the same way my friend Debbie felt when she lost her inst job at Kaleida) and that she wasn't around for the last contract (duh, no kidding!). So, they terminated me. I went back to Arlene's office and told her that I am "out". She had some boxes saved up and I used about 4-5 of them to pack up the office. Of course, Jen and Diane tried to help but I told them Arlene can help me. Thank you. I went to get my car so they can put the boxes in my trunk (I drove my car to the door and parked on the curb). Arlene is extremely upset. I felt bad that now she is to do a lot of my work. Everything is on her now. I have this feeling that eventually Arlene will retire completely this year - I don't know why. You know what! I am not upset over this. I remained calm when they told me. One thing they did mention was that I was being terminated from my present job in the department - not the hospital system. I can bid on any job in the system if its available (they said there isn't any). They said this because of my years with the hospital system. Im not sure if I want to continue with Kaleida, I have a bad taste in my mouth right now. Also, I'd be a rehire. Which means I would lose my seniority. I don't even want to be near Diane or Jen - if there was a job it would have to be out in the northtowns - like Millard Suburban, Flint Rd or (gulp! I don't want this) -- Visiting nurses association. I will look. I spoke to the Erie Community College nursing coordinator yesterday. she really felt bad - I told her about the contract and she knows that wasn't my fault (it went through her, her boss and it sat in their legal office untouched). I forgot to ask her if its ok to list her as a reference. i will call her and leave a message. I also have my Daemen College Physician assistant coordinator friend on my side too. Both chris and Robyn know that I worked really hard to get this paperwork in order. It just wasn't good enough or wasn't done in a timely manner. It was impossible to really prove to diane that I was able to get this project done but it just wasn't so. The writing was on the wall so in some instances - I expected it to happen but didn't know when. I didn't do anything yesterday or today to look for work but I need to get to the Buffalo Employment Technical Center monday morning and have them look at my resume so they can get it better. I only have a draft ready. They will be able to help me and guide me in the right direction. Then I need to get to my colleges professional service office and talk to my alumni to see what kinds of jobs they have available for me to go for (giving Steve my resume). Then getting on monster.com and posting my resume and looking at other employment websites. Along with looking into some civil service jobs (at least take some exams - even if they are not hiring, I am sure they are getting people taking exams). I have feelers out with my friend Jen at the VA hospital, Robyn who connects with many physicians for her Physician assistant students. I did apply for unemployment benefits today and finalized the claim by calling their 1-888 #. they gave me a date of 10/26 to call in for the weeks claim (its my start off claim date - after that it will be every sunday). They said I have 20 weeks for unemployment benefits. I won't know how much I will get until around monday or tuesday next week. I'll get my final paycheck in the mail on 10/27. Then my PTO will be paid out (100% or 75 hrs) the following paycheck. Overall, I will be complete with Kaleida health around the middle of November.
In away, the stress of dealing with Jen and Diane is overwith. From this point on, I will be journalling about my job search process all the way to interview to getting a new job. Wouldn't it be nice if I can get a office manager job at some dr office doing my medical coding (they would pay for me exam!) that would be my ideal job. Lets all cross our fingers. I realize its gonna take some time. I really have to not think about the statistics out there as far as the job market. If I remain positive, then the job search will be short (I am hoping). My demand isn't a real lot (I'd like to start off at 16.50 to 17.00 an hr, mostly based on my associates degree - if I didn't have a degree, my demand would be at least 15.00 to 15.50 an hr). We'll see how everything holds out.
I spoke to Sonja, she said that it felt like someone died at work. Jen and Jessica even approached her to see if she would like to go into my old office and work. Sonja said "NO!" She did this out of respect for me. She knows its my old office, she would really miss me and that she would be afraid that she would be targeted even more. I don't blame her. I think its best to give my office and my belongings to one of the nurse educators because there was 2 educators sharing an office next door. I haven't heard from Arlene since that fateful day Wednesday but I am sure I will hear from her sometime next week. I told both girls they can call me often. I wonder if they will be posting my job - Sonja will be telling me this. Sonja encouraged me to keep checking the kaleidahealth.org website for any job postings. She even encouraged me to apply over at VNA. I told her they would post the same place as the kaleida website. I don't think I really want to get back to my old job over there. Its too crazy, their union is unfair and the other unit secretaries butt heads often. I sat at that job for 7 years and I don't think I want to deal with that situation anymore. I will also look at ECMC, Catholic Health system and Bri-lin(mental hosp) for administrative jobs. Not sure what they have available but I will find out next week and let you guys know. I told Sonja that I now fear for all of them because if they documented everything that I did wrong (BS stuff) and now that I am out of the picture - there will be a new target. They are all walking scared now. Dissappointed that I am not in. Apparently, they are all afraid to even be in my old office for 5-6 minutes, they walk in, get what they need and run out and close the door.
ok, its time to close a chapter of this saga and open a new chapter - job search quest here I come! I certainly hope its a short one. I am really eager to start the search and interview process. With my years at the hospital system, associate degree - I am hoping I will be the top of the list. I'll keep everyone posted with any new updates that Sonja and/or Arlene tell me (if they fill my position, if someone gets targeted). This time I will be in the outside looking in - thats where I need to be. These past 2 days I really felt relaxed and the stress has decreased some. I am no where near 100% but I can say that I am at least 65-70% there.
Replies
Ah, Jen.....I have to say how proud I am of you to have such a wonderful outlook on things after what this place did to you. Brava!! No point in crying in your beer....just a waste of good beer!
Getting right out and finding a new position instead of sitting and thinking it all over and over is the best. I hope these women realize what they\'ve lost, but I\'m sure they all have blinders on and won\'t be able to see that they are the ones who screwed up, not you.
I\'m pulling for you to find a good job quickly! Keep us posted...good or bad. We\'re here for you!
Wow! In a time when skills like yours are needed like water for plants, I see you falling into the trap of incompetence.
I am sorry you lost your job and I am sure you will be on your feet, bigger and better.
What goes around comes around.
Thank you for the update Jen. I\'m kind of in the same boat as you as in looking for a job. Sorry you got terminated but at least you don\'t have to stress about it anymore. Now it\'s time to move on to better things.
I am so sorry that you had to go through all that ordeal, but felt it in the air, just as you did. Things happen for a reason Jen and this can only end up being one of those positive things you will endure in your life. I know that you see this now. You did what you had to do, so let it go and profit from it as I know that you are going to. I love you sweetie, keep me posted, all of us and continue to take good care of yourself throughout all of this ordeal.
lots of love,
Norma....
You go Girl!! Don\'t let the past drag you down- Onwards and upwards!!! if I can offer you any advice it is to make a 30/60/90 day plan with every week planned out to reach your target. So for example your 30 day plan is to present your CV to 20 different ccompanies. Week 1 - Review your CV and get up to date / Week 2 -list all companies and prepare covering letter/ week 3 review skills and practice strengthening and developing weaknesses/ week 4 start practicing interview techniques- explore and get up to date with new techniques- send out all 20 CV\'s. I\'m not trying to tell you to \'suck eggs\' but just keep in track to get the job you want rather than drift into something that\'s out there. Best of luck and watching your posts with anticipation x
thank you everyone for your love and support. It is so nice to have friends like you on DS. I think they will realize what a valuable employee I was. I was on the phone with my friend Robyn, the Daemen Physician assistant coordinator and told her that I am now concerned because no one at Kaleida health system will know when there is a PA student coming. I had their backs 100%. They will find out and will get a lot of phone calls dealing with this situation. I had none. Thank you Rogerjd! I appreciate your feedback. I would love your advice on a good plan. I have a preliminary plan but thats it. Please PM me so we can discuss it. Thanks!!
I HOPE THE NEW JOB IS JUST \"AROUND THE CORNER\" TAKE CARE
Hi Jen. :) our thoughts and prayers are with you, our dear, and wonderful friend. :) my family and i hope and pray, that all will go very well, in the upcoming days, and weeks, as you get a new job, and settle into your new job. :) i\'m so proud of you for keeping strong, and making it through this. :) You handled the situation very well. :) You\'re a very strong person, and are going to make it through this. :) my family and i will always be here for you. :) keep strong, focused, and determined. :) please keep us updated on how things are going. :) we send our love, many peaceful blessing, and many comforting hugs. :)
Jen, I\'m so sorry this has happened to you. Although based upon your past journals, I had an inkling this was coming. I don\'t think you could have done anything to appease them and I think it\'s admirable and speaks volumes for your work ethic that you even tried.
Take this weekend and take the time you need to regroup. Losing a job is one of life\'s most stressful events. I\'m sure with your experience and education that you won\'t be in the job market for long. The VA is probably your highest paying best bet but you may have to relocate.
Anyways, I am here for you my friend. I\'m enjoying a frosty micro-brew right now as I write this. Here\'s a toast to you for at least trying to do a good job even though the deck was stacked against you. Now, get that resume spruced up, contact your references, and move on. I envision great things for you. (((hugs)))
HI JEN ... I ADMIR YOU, YOUR \'\'STRENGTH\'\' ALL YOU\'VE WENT THROUGH AT YOUR JOB AND THEN TO LOSE IT , KEEP STRONG MY FRIEND.. RIV-UP YOUR RESUMES AND MOVE ON ... HOPING & PRAYING YOU WILL FIND A GREAT JOB WITH GOOD PAY & BENIFITS , AND LITTLE STRESS : ) HUGS & PRAYERS, JOBBIE
I\'m sure that there is a job out there for you where you will be appreciated and will enjoy going to work. What you have been through over the past few months was enough to drag anyone down, so all credit to you for sticking with it and still doing your best.
I know eveyone\'s Granny says, \"These things happen for a reason\", but it so often turns out to be true. Here\'s hoping that the reason in this case is that there is something better waiting for you.