I Hate Being Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

[FreshLikeADaisy]

Flamingo, to add to what you said -- I have a friend who works at a major brokerage house who is just choked with debts from a bad marriage, and no assets to protect (again, marriage). I asked him one day why he didn't file Ch7, and he told me he didn't want to get fired. Before I could even get the, "...but they CAN'T..." out of my mouth, he says, "I'm well aware of that. But what they do is wait a few months, and then fire you for being late or having bad breath or something incredibly vague like non-professionalism. You've seen it, you know what I'm talking about." And he's right, I have. I think the difference is that they have to sign some financial disclosure thing every 6 months, which directly asks (among other things) "Have you declared bankruptcy in the previous year?" so it's not like he could just fly under the radar and hope for the best.

$$$, will you keep us posted? I really hope you get this job!!!

[Flamingo]

Flamingo, to add to what you said -- I have a friend who works at a major brokerage house who is just choked with debts from a bad marriage, and no assets to protect (again, marriage). I asked him one day why he didn't file Ch7, and he told me he didn't want to get fired. Before I could even get the, "...but they CAN'T..." out of my mouth, he says, "I'm well aware of that. But what they do is wait a few months, and then fire you for being late or having bad breath or something incredibly vague like non-professionalism. You've seen it, you know what I'm talking about." And he's right, I have. I think the difference is that they have to sign some financial disclosure thing every 6 months, which directly asks (among other things) "Have you declared bankruptcy in the previous year?" so it's not like he could just fly under the radar and hope for the best.

Good Point to bring up! Any financial business checks you out seriously before hiring and, as you state above, you may having something in the paperwork you signed at hiring or in a contract which may require you to disclose certain financial happenings while in their employ. If he signed a disclosure statement as to those terms then he would be required to report a filing. Not only would that have to be disclosed as a financial requirement, we all must admit that filing BK takes a mental toll on us and can affect our lives and work in the office as well and some people may have to miss a lot of work and/or are on the phone with personal calls a lot and that can be noticed. However, if he is a good employee with a good record and goes to his boss and advises of his bad marriage debts and maybe having to file and that it wil not have any effect on his job performance, it will all be taken in stride. I can understand his hesitancy, though, in not wanting to file but he needs to weigh a few things out in his situation in the event it becomes worse. Everyone, though, has major life events and BK can be one of them.

Most people file BK while working and it's like nothing happened. People work and survive horrid divorces and stay employed and have to have child support taken out of their pay and have to go through that embarassment also with their HR Dept. It's a tough situation. But in life it is best to be proactive in everything you do or it never gets done - be one step ahead of the game and inform those you believe should be informed and if you are a good employee, you will have nothing to fear.

[$$only4ever]

Update On Previous Post

I have an interview next week. All of their issues concerning my bankruptcy have been resolved and they are moving forward (this is what the HR person said). So wish me luck and let's hope that I dazzle them.

[One Half Full]

This does have me kind of scared. I can see why $$only4ever would have a fear-factor moment. Leaving my low paying present job is among one of the reasons that I need to get out from under this debt.

[$$only4ever]

$$$, will you keep us posted? I really hope you get this job!!! [/QUOTE]

Thanks for the moral support. I really appreciate it.

[$$only4ever]

Flamingo, to add to what you said -- I have a friend who works at a major brokerage house who is just choked with debts from a bad marriage, and no assets to protect (again, marriage). I asked him one day why he didn't file Ch7, and he told me he didn't want to get fired. Before I could even get the, "...but they CAN'T..." out of my mouth, he says, "I'm well aware of that. But what they do is wait a few months, and then fire you for being late or having bad breath or something incredibly vague like non-professionalism. You've seen it, you know what I'm talking about." And he's right, I have. I think the difference is that they have to sign some financial disclosure thing every 6 months, which directly asks (among other things) "Have you declared bankruptcy in the previous year?" so it's not like he could just fly under the radar and hope for the best.

$$$, will you keep us posted? I really hope you get this job!!!

Thanks Fresh for the moral support.

[chpxiii]

I'm sending you good luck vibes, $$$Only4ever!!!

[Flamingo]

I have an interview next week. All of their issues concerning my bankruptcy have been resolved and they are moving forward (this is what the HR person said). So wish me luck and let's hope that I dazzle them.

You will do well! Just be confident, honest and express a sincere interest in working for the company.

[WantToBeDebtFre]

Good luck to you! I hope you get the job!

[MajorMike]

Does this position involve the handling of money or anything of the sort? I know several people in BK's and what would that have to do with your job skills??? Why would that HR woman want to know how you're making your payments? I find that very odd!

[Flamingo]

Does this position involve the handling of money or anything of the sort? I know several people in BK's and what would that have to do with your job skills??? Why would that HR woman want to know how you're making your payments? I find that very odd!

Probably because if she is hired, they may have to make arrangements with payroll to have the payments withheld from her check and its more than would have to be handled than a regular hiring. Someone with child support payments and/or a wage garnishment would be subject to the same extra paperwork. It depends on how she is now handling her payments - sending them in herself? Having them deducted from somewhere else, etc. Or she could just be extra nosey and going beyond what she should be asking especially before an interview but who knows. The main thing is that she has an in person interview and has gotten beyond the BK thing to get her foot in the door.

[$$only4ever]

Does this position involve the handling of money or anything of the sort? I know several people in BK's and what would that have to do with your job skills??? Why would that HR woman want to know how you're making your payments? I find that very odd!

I did not find that question odd at all. I was more embarrassed about explaining to them why I filed. It is never easy for anyone to admit that they had made mistakes and failed. They were not thrilled about the bankruptcy thing and if they had to be responsible for the wage garnishment, I think that I would never heard from them again. I had nothing to hide, the payment is taken out of DH's pay directly and sent to the trustee. It also told them that I am current on the payments.

I interview on Thursday. I heard that there are 4 other candidates involved. I really am not nervous. I have the qualifications needed for the position. I also am being realisitic that I may not get the job because of the bankruptcy issue. But I am happy at the company that I currently work for. So, if it is meant to be then it is meant to be. Really, I am in a win-win situation.

Thanks everyone for all of your support!

[Flamingo]

I did not find that question odd at all. I was more embarrassed about explaining to them why I filed. It is never easy for anyone to admit that they had made mistakes and failed. They were not thrilled about the bankruptcy thing and if they had to be responsible for the wage garnishment, I think that I would never heard from them again. I had nothing to hide, the payment is taken out of DH's pay directly and sent to the trustee. It also told them that I am current on the payments.

I interview on Thursday. I heard that there are 4 other candidates involved. I really am not nervous. I have the qualifications needed for the position. I also am being realisitic that I may not get the job because of the bankruptcy issue. But I am happy at the company that I currently work for. So, if it is meant to be then it is meant to be. Really, I am in a win-win situation.

Thanks everyone for all of your support!

An interview is all about selling yourself to the company because they hire you for your qualifications to make them money. It's a business. You sound like you have the gumption to handle yourself well with the company and that you want the position. They will look at how bad you want it right after your qualifiations. Go in there with a firm handshake and be professional and if questioned about the BK during your interview, tell them it was a life event during some bad times but you are resolving it, it is behind you and you are moving on to better things. Wishing you all the luck in the world.

[MajorMike]

Yes, best to you!!!! Let us know what happens!!! ( keeping fingers crossed for you! )

[JollyGG]

Good luck at your interview today.