I was terminated last week ...

[Serial Mom]

I've had a job for the most part of the last 40 years (since I was 16).

Last week, while I had a week of vacation my boss called on Wednesday at 4:30 in the afternoon and told me I was terminated after 8-1/2 years of service.

We were having a Family Get-together Picnic that day - my entire family was here - son, daughter-in-law, grandkids, daughter and her fiancee, daughter & another grandson, sister-in-law & her husband, sister & brother-in-law, niece and her family, 4 nephews and their families (28 people!).

I still need to work in order to save more for retirement (and get out west for my daughter's upcoming wedding in November!). The dubya economy of 2001 cut all our 401s by more than 33%, and as of last month had not quite reached the point it was before then. Our 401s should have been increasing for 6 years instead were just trying to get back to what was there.

But I will say that having all my family here was one of the most wonderful weeks of my life! They all were supportive and we kept so occupied that I was not as angry or depressed as I may have been.

Have any of you had to look for jobs at this age? They would not let me copy my personal files from my computer to a USB stick, they said I would have to request it. They also have not responded to any of my questions or requests of last Thursday... I need some nformation about vacation pay for Unemployment by the end of this week and so far no answers. I don't want to sound like a pest to them - I kind of understand they had to do something drastic (downsize or possibly ask all employees to take a temporay pay reduction), but to not be prepared to assist those they got rid of seems a little wrong. Any suggestions on how to get answers? Should I call them?

[Faux pas]

1. It's hard to try to 'restart' your life after a certain age. Sounds like

they are really giving you the bum's rush run around. I'd call your state employment/labor department and tell them your story. Maybe they can help. Good Luck.

[Longhorn]

2. I left teaching to get a masters degree, then got hired to teach

at a community college at 48. I recently interviewed for a job in the college that would have been a career change (I decided not to take it) and I'll be 51 Sunday. I don't know how old you are but experience should count for something! I'm sure there are websites with information and advice for older workers changing jobs or careers.

I'm glad you had your family with you at such a tough time! Maybe this is a time to consider getting a job doing something you've always wanted to do, if you can afford to. I've certainly read many stories about people making a change, whether they chose to or were forced to.

I wish you the best and hope you'll let us know how things are going! There may be other groups at DU, such as your state or an employment group, where you can get some advice and support for a particular career, legal issues, etc. Good luck! :hug:

[Serial Mom]

3. Today, I got the first email reply

from them stating that the email server had been down (I know that they were having problems - they laid off our systems administrator and she told me that the person tagged with the additional responsibility had called for help). Funny, they laid her off and less than 2 days of her being gone they had problems.

I think I will take my time and collect unemployment for a while while complying with their requirements to apply for at least 2 jobs a week and see what comes.

Thinking about something else "I wanted to do" wasn't part of my thought process for so many years (since I had to work), but since this happened I thought about taking a lesser paying job to work with either the elderly in some fashion or helping the underprivileged in some way.

I had a great week with my family - in fact terrific except for this one thing, and maybe that was for the best. We'll see in the end, but most the anger is gone already which surprised me. Maybe since we are older, we can accept life changes easier?

If anybody has any suggestions I would gladly accept new ideas!

Thanks!

[Longhorn]

4. You already have an idea of something else you want to do

but I remember reading about a book a few years ago called, "Do What You Want and the Money Will Follow." The title is pretty self-explanatory. I'm sure it's in the library. There are others, such as "What Color is Your Parachute?" Some are set up in a workbook format to let you journal and explore your thoughts as you work toward your plan. I think the first one is geared more toward "mature" people as opposed to those right out of high school or college so you may find it or books like it helpful in giving you ideas. :hi:

[Serial Mom]

5. Thanks!

I will look for those books and see which may be geared more towards me!

[Crewleader]

6. So sorry to hear this cmt928

Keep your chin up friend, know there are DUers here that care. :hug: