Well, I got Fired!

[One Half Full]

I actually was given the opportunity to tender my resignation. But I am leaving as soon as I can. I cannot take the abusive relationship I have with my manager. He has been hounding and harassing me, and keeps taking whole day's wages for little "crimes" in his eyes. I would boil in oil for what I would like to do to him. I can't go back, I would go ballistic.

Now, My job has a new policy that just went into effect this year in which if we take more vacation before accrual, then we have to pay them back. If I list the company in the BK, then can I get this debt discharged in the 'BK?

Accrued vacation time (per hour at the same wages as I get while working) which they expect to be paid back? Discharged? Yes. That is what I am asking.

Anyone know what sort of job pays well? I am a sharp and witty woman, though no glamor girl. I have college and am a great & imaginative writer.

Around here, I'll probably end up a grocery clerk. If I foreclose on the house, I can live in it for free for around 19 months around here. Gak, I really wanted to try to save it.

I can live off the free house and my 401 k while I get a job.

My head is spinning and I feel so free!!! I must take care of my dogs and cats though. Please, please please, anyone!!!!

Freaking out here!!!

I wont be able to use COBRA. Don't make enough money. Everything I wanted to happen has gone down the hill--- Wonderful opportunity to change. I'd like to move to Florida and work at a Racetrack (horses).

[TX Bluebonnet]

I can't quite tell from your first paragraph ("I'm leaving as soon as I can." vs "I can't go back.") or your topic heading ("I got fired." vs "I actually was given the opportunity to tender my resignation.") whether you got fired, have quit, will be getting fired, or will be quitting soon. But in any case it sounds like you're apprehensive and relieved at the same time. So, I'd like to say I'm so sorry to hear that and that's great!

Have you taken more than 5 days of vacation before you earned it? If not I would think your employer would just deduct up to 5 vacation days from your last paycheck. If it doesn't get deducted from the last paycheck, or there was even more vacation time taken, then it would seem like it would be dischargable as a "loan".

Roughly 15 years ago I quit my job and moved to Florida. Stayed almost a year and moved back because I missed my family (or so I thought). After a while my loving family got on my nerves again so the next time I quit my job I chose Texas. That was 10 years ago and I'm soooo happy that I moved here and made a home here. Good luck with whatever you decide to do!

[momof5]

The sweet justice of bankruptcy... even the idiots can be discharged.
My husband had $1000 left of a loan he had with his former employer. They have been harrassing us since the 2nd week after he was let go.
Mind you we had NO money obviously as that was our source of income yet they wanted it paid in full immediately.
They fought his unemployment and have made life a living HELL for us.

Its the one and only debt that I will forever NOT feel guilty about NOT paying!

[One Half Full]

My manager did not say the words "fired," but that is what he did. I want to quit, badly. Since that &*)%# STARTED, I've wanted to leave. On his first day, he dragged me into the office and had me crying out of fear of losing my job. He's been singling me out for punishment for six years. When I see him, I want to vomit. Get ill, sick. weeping like a child while he stared impassively through those reptilian eyes. Yet I took it. The assistant manager is an alcoholic who sides with him out of gratitude for allowing him to leave to drink. going into work is humiliating. I am so happy. I am a bit afraid of what will come. I didn't want to lose the house, but frankly, easy come, easy go. With the BK I need to make only something like 1,500.00 per month. That's all to save the house. (this is a cheap part of the country so that is a lot of money).

[CindyLou]

It is ILLEGAL and against wage and hour laws to not pay an employee for hours worked!!!! Contact you local labor board and file a complaint IMMEDIATELY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[One Half Full]

It is ILLEGAL and against wage and hour laws to not pay an employee for hours worked!!!! Contact you local labor board and file a complaint IMMEDIATELY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

no, they dock my pay by sending me home. A private, secret, lay-off.

[JRScott]

Well you ever considered writing a book? I mean its a tough field to get into but it worked for J. K. Rowling who was on public assistance, single mother of one when she wrote Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.

Sadly good paying jobs are not very common. Take what you can, good luck.

[twuoo]

If you get fired, then you should be able to collect unemployement I would think.

You should get online to your state's governmental website and search for jobs/careers links.

In MI, there's something called "no worker left behind". If you're not making $40K a year, the state will give you free money to get training in a high demand job from community college!

Lots of different programs to look into.

I think there's free money called Hope grant (?) for community college. Even if it's just to brush up on your skills to become employable, but not get a degreee.

[FreshLikeADaisy]

One Half Full, I think that what they will attempt to do is remove whatever amount they say is owed from your last paycheck, so I doubt your bk will be filed in time. Because it is a debt with a dollar amount, yes, it can be bk'd, but if they've already taken the cash I don't know how likely it would be for you to get it back.

Your best bet, if they touch your last paycheck, is to contact the Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division, and place a complaint. When you are speaking to the investigator taking your complaint, you may also wish to mention ANY unpaid labor your employers are extracting, or any other ersatz pay arrangements (that's unnecessary to your own complaint, but could have beneficial effects on down the line, so throw it in). Now, when the DOL investigator contacts your ex-employer, I can guarantee you that if they don't have their i's dotted and their t's crossed in every possible respect regarding their deduction from your check, you'll get you money back faster than you thought possible.

Good luck!!! Being in a place like that is soul-sapping and life destroying. Whether they kicked you out or you left, basically, they were telling you that you are not like them and I think that's a damn fine compliment. Send 'em a free bird and be on your way: your life will be the better for it, I guarantee you. Good luck to you!!!

[CindyLou]

no, they dock my pay by sending me home. A private, secret, lay-off.

If they send you home or cut your hours, they aren't docking your pay. Docking pay is when you work hours you are not paid for. If they are cutting your hours with good reason such as a low census or decreased business the there is no problem on the employer side with that. The question I would ask is are they doing this as disciplinary action or are they flexing to census? Are they sending others home/cutting hours on them too?

[One Half Full]

If they send you home or cut your hours, they aren't docking your pay. Docking pay is when you work hours you are not paid for. If they are cutting your hours with good reason such as a low census or decreased business the there is no problem on the employer side with that. The question I would ask is are they doing this as disciplinary action or are they flexing to census? Are they sending others home/cutting hours on them too?

It's being done as punishment. No one else has had to go home without pay.

[ssdsco]

Maybe there's something here for you.

http://msn.careerbuilder.com/custom/msn/careeradvice/viewarticle.aspx?articleid=1384&SiteId=cbmsnhp41384&sc_extcmp=JS_1384_home1?GT1=23000&cbRecursionCnt=1&cbsid=21c1e11e409f4bfba95597ae61a98c5e-263720553-XB-2

[One Half Full]

Well, it is morning. I am really happy today. This is totally the best thing to happen to me. For 10 years I have not had weekends or holidays off. I've had to drive through blizzards at 3 in the morning for a job that pays 12 dollars an hour, which, frankly, I could get almost anywhere doing almost anything. I've worked at night, which has really screwed up my metabolism and sleep cycle. It is amazing to be able to wake up in the morning. Due to the fact that I work nights, I have not really had a normal life. I haven't been able to join clubs or groups, or go to continuing education classes, and have not made any friends the entire time I have lived in this town.

Finding a job will be a full time job for a while. Since I am also going BK, that will be a priority.

[justplaintired]

Sounds like your going to be just fine. Your boss sounds like a complete jerk and you're a very strong person to have dealt with all this for 10 years. It probably is a blessing. Now you can maybe find a job you will like and won't cause so much stress. And for awhile enjoy you nights at home, treat yourself to some well deserved R & R.

[MomIcantFindmy]

Well, it is morning. I am really happy today. This is totally the best thing to happen to me. For 10 years I have not had weekends or holidays off. I've had to drive through blizzards at 3 in the morning for a job that pays 12 dollars an hour, which, frankly, I could get almost anywhere doing almost anything. I've worked at night, which has really screwed up my metabolism and sleep cycle. It is amazing to be able to wake up in the morning. Due to the fact that I work nights, I have not really had a normal life. I haven't been able to join clubs or groups, or go to continuing education classes, and have not made any friends the entire time I have lived in this town.

Finding a job will be a full time job for a while. Since I am also going BK, that will be a priority.

Good for you! I am happy that you sound like you are doing well. I will be thinking good things about you today!! Keep us posted on the job hunt! Good luck!~