I am not Ted Williams but I need a job!!!!

[DollyM]

I just saw that Ted Williams checked himself out of rehab. Not that this is a total surprise to most of us but it kind of ticks me off. How many of us ordinary people who don't drink or drug, would love to have had a shot at the job offers and opportunities he was offered on a golden platter. I just found a job I loved about three months ago that offered health insurance, first time I have had health insurance in years. I worked for a social service agency and helped seniors filling out Med D forms and enrolling them in the state prescripton assistance plans. I felt like I had learned my job and was really feeling confident about it when my supervisor walks into my office Tuesday and tells me "this isn't working out, we are letting you go." I know my jaw must have hit the floor at that point. I asked why and she and her toadie said they didn't have to tell me why they were firing me! I asked what I could do to change something (as I never had any warning of this) or fix something and they said no, it was done. The only hint they gave me was that it had to do with their funding agency--the agency from which they received their grant money. Still in a state of shock, I gathered my things and went home to think about this. Their "funding agency" as they called it, was comprised of people that I had known professionally for a number of years. That would seem like a good thing unless . . . they had something to hide, something they thought I might tell their funding agency. I did some snooping around, made a few phone calls and found out my suspicions were correct. The agency director that had me fired, was bumping up numbers on their reports in order to get more money for their program. (Yes, that is called committing fraud against the state and federal government). So she got rid of me because she knew I was an ethical person and I would refuse to "bump up" my numbers and would report them. Kind of stupid to fire me actually because of course I am going to report them now. The irony of this situation is that the last agency that tried this number bumping had the grant taken away from them.
Oh but hey, they did say they wouldn't fight my unemployment claim and would pay me two weeks severence pay and give me a good reference. (I should have realized how fishy that sounded when it was offered.) I just keep thinking that a decent human being that doesn't drink or drug, has never been arrested, has never even had a traffic ticket, pays her bills, gives to charity and is ethical, should have a chance at a good job just like Ted Williams did. But I guess I will never make the news since I am so ordinary and boring. Sorry to sound so snarky but I just don't get it why decent people just don't seem to catch the breaks. Makes me want to go out and smash a window or something so I can get arrested and someone will come along and try to "reform" me. I promise I won't blow my chance . . .
okay, rant done . . .

[DollyM]

1. sorry that was such a long rant . . .

P.S. sorry that was such a long rant. It's kind of hard on the eyes to read but at least I feel a little better getting to say it.

[EFerrari]

2. Ted Williams is also an ordinary person

and alcoholism isn't a hobby.

And I hear you. Out of full time work since 2007 here.

[LisaL]

7. Since Ted Williams "reportedly left rehab"

I doubt he will last long in any of these jobs. He clearly has an amazing voice, so there got to be a reason he ended up homeless.

[EFerrari]

9. Everyone I know but me and one AA faithful gave up on my mother.

She went on to lead a very successful life and has helped a lot of people in all those years. 37 years sober now.

You never know. :)

[LisaL]

10. If he actually did leave rehab as reported, that

doesn't look like a good sign for a positive outcome to me.

[EFerrari]

11. Well, if he didn't set the place on fire as my mom did, he might have a better chance

than she did.

lol

[Shagbark Hickory]

3. I'm sorry that you lost your job. It's also frustrating to hear this happening on more than 1 level.

[SheilaT]

4. Report the fraud.

I work in a hospital. I'm only on the information desk there, but every year all of us have to complete a number of training programs. I just did them all last month, and there was a three-section unit on fraud, how important it is to report it, that your name will be kept confidential, and that you can't be fired for reporting fraud and abuse.

Okay, so you've already been fired. Absolutely report it. Not only are they subject to fines, but you might be able to get some small percentage of money recovered.

[notadmblnd]

5. Get the reference, the severence and the unemployment, then report them.

I worked in IT 28 years. Lost my job in 2004. Finally went back to work this year cleaning houses for 10 bucks an hour. HP offered me a position at the same time for 10.50 hr. I turned them down to clean toilets. I figured it would be much less stressful for the money than being a Level II technical support person.:shrug:

[Left coast liberal]

6. Gosh Dolly, I am with you. I mean literally.

Almost the exact thing happened to me a week and a half ago. I was with a non-profit housing agency and was doing HUD compliance for Sr. housing 202/8. I had the job for only 5 month and the supervisor walks into my office and says, "You are terminated, effective immediately!" Me too. Jaw on floor.

I had been working my butt off, getting into the groove, no warnings, very vague reasoning in fact she couldn't even tell me why. Blaming the decision on her boss.

I am still waiting for them to schedule an Exit interview to give me some clarification. I have spoken with an attorney and am about to submit a formal Grievance.

Unfortunately, unlike you, they fired me and will not give me a good reference so now I feel like all the experience I got there can not even be put on my resume. I did not have enough hours to get unemployment, so nothing there either.

The whole things sucks. And get this, it was a Faith Based Charity. I know, I know, some Christians!

So, now I am unemployed AGAIn.

SHIT!

[spanone]

8. the media embraced mr williams because he could 'talk like them'

not because he was homeless

or an alcoholic

or an addict

or for any other reason....

they will ignore mr williams with the same vigor that they exploited him