Laid Off? Join the Club & Improve Skills

  • Thread starter Thread starter david90
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary
The discussion revolves around the challenges of unemployment and job security, particularly in Michigan, where many participants express concerns about the economy and job market. Several individuals share their experiences with job loss, unemployment insurance, and the bureaucratic hurdles associated with applying for benefits. Some participants highlight their strategies for coping, such as taking classes to improve skills or relying on a spouse's stable job. There is a sense of frustration with government systems, perceived inefficiencies, and the impact of economic downturns on job prospects. The conversation also touches on personal anecdotes about layoffs, the difficulties of navigating unemployment processes, and the emotional toll of job insecurity. Overall, the thread reflects a community grappling with the realities of unemployment while seeking support and sharing resources.
  • #31
Integral said:
I received word tonight, I am offically out of work as of 1 Apr.

I will be eligible for trade act benifits. My hope is to get a teaching certificate.
Integral, that's horrible. Hopefully this will lead to better things.

My oldest daughter left a great high paying job in November to work with a veteranarian because she's changing her major. She just got laid off because business has dropped off due to the economy.

You're close to retirement aren't you? Is it possible to take early retirement instead?

My boss, that I love, was laid off last week. He had kidney cancer and without his existing insurance with our company, he is now uninsurable. I cried most of the day.
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #32
I am less then 3 years shy of being eligible for HP retirement, I was kind of hoping to hang around long enough to get that. While I will miss the paycheck I will not miss the work or the way the environment was evolving. A part of me is glad to be out.

HP is no longer the employer it used to be.
 
  • #33
Integral said:
I am less then 3 years shy of being eligible for HP retirement, I was kind of hoping to hang around long enough to get that. While I will miss the paycheck I will not miss the work or the way the environment was evolving. A part of me is glad to be out.

HP is no longer the employer it used to be.
Geeze, 3 years from retirement. Will you lose everything associated with your retirement? It's just sickening to work all of your life, doing your best for a company, then just get shafted.

I wish I was in a position to help you.
 
  • #34
Sorry to hear that news Integral.
 
  • #35
physics girl phd said:
Time to have a baby... ...we're also looking at prospects elsewhere

Now there's an intriguing possibility... :rolleyes:
 
  • #36
Hey, no babies below the Poverty line!
 
  • #37
Sorry to hear you're out of work integral. :frown:
 
  • #38
Integral said:
I received word tonight, I am offically out of work as of 1 Apr.

I will be eligible for trade act benifits. My hope is to get a teaching certificate.

Well that just sucks.
 
  • #39
Hmmmmmmmm, april 1st. Hopefully they are just fooling you.
 
  • #40
Perfect time to be a graduate student I guess.

Personally, I don't trust anyone holding my retirement money. I even got my ex-gf to not invest into the company pension plan. I told her to go for another option, which is tied up in her own bank account under her own name. Sure you have to trust the bank, but I have more trust in a bank than a company.
 
  • #41
Integral said:
I received word tonight, I am offically out of work as of 1 Apr.

I will be eligible for trade act benifits. My hope is to get a teaching certificate.

Oh no! I'm very sorry to hear that, Integral. Being three years from retirement probably didn't help either. Seen that before...

I'm sure that you will make a great teacher.

My condolences to everyone else as well. Unfortunately, we live in intersting times.
 
  • #42
JasonRox said:
Perfect time to be a graduate student I guess.

Personally, I don't trust anyone holding my retirement money. I even got my ex-gf to not invest into the company pension plan. I told her to go for another option, which is tied up in her own bank account under her own name. Sure you have to trust the bank, but I have more trust in a bank than a company.


Couldn't agree more. Of course I won't be a grad student until September, but the point still stands. At least I don't have to worry about signing up for unemployment after graduation.

To those of you stuck between a rock and this economy, I wish you the best of luck.
 
  • #43
HP's loss will be the students' gain. I want to send Integral my copy of the Stand and Deliver movie.
 
  • #44
Actually looking at my paper work there is a 1yr grace period. On my last day I will be a week over 13yrs, I need 15. Considering the grace period I am missing retirement benefits by 1yr.

All, Thanks for the thoughts.
 
  • #45
JasonRox said:
Perfect time to be a graduate student I guess.

Personally, I don't trust anyone holding my retirement money. I even got my ex-gf to not invest into the company pension plan. I told her to go for another option, which is tied up in her own bank account under her own name. Sure you have to trust the bank, but I have more trust in a bank than a company.

You have a point, but remember that the whole recession thing started because banks were falling through the hole. There are some banks here, that for a while (it has now been upgraded by the government) could only guarantee 20 000 euro of your money in one of their accounts. Nobody knew until it was too late and everyone started trying to spread there pension funds over 4 or 5 banks to make sure it was secure. It has been raised to 100 000 euro by the government, but some people need more protection than that.

Also, my company pays half my pension and I pay the other half, but it is a pension with a bank. The company isn't holding my money for me. If I change companies, the money moves with me to the next company. If I told them I didn't want their pension plan, I'd have to put up the other half myself every month. I'm also not a big fan of forced pension schemes, but if it works it's great, the problem is when something goes pear shaped like what has happened to Integral. Then it is just a shambles.

Safest place for your money is in your matress and hope it gets comfy and multiplies :-p
 

Similar threads

Job Skills Degrees with actual guaranteed jobs after graduation?
  • · Replies 80 ·
3
Replies
80
Views
3K
Where to Pick Up Women In the Sciences?
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
Issues With Guaranteed Work vs Welfare (Infrastructure)
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
3K
Overcoming Depression: Tips & Advice to Improve Thinking & Focus
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Can Home Repair or Renovations Reduce One's Taxes?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Other How to Afford Moving to Another State For Grad School?
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
2K
Studying How Can I Improve My Vector Calculus Skills for Classical Mechanics?
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
MHB My Failed University Life: Addictions, Depression, and Uncertain Future
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Looking for a good grammar checker
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
2K
I want to do math and physics but my math skills are poor
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K