yep. you basically have to be willing to do more work for less money to get a job. it is just ridiculous. I feel the bite of my degree now. I am overqualified for many tech positions but not qualified enough for full forester positions.

Yes. I also have the age factor to contend with, too. At least I have my Architectural registration as an advantage.

My husband got a degree in computer networking and used it only once to 'network' walmart registers. Since then he gets the same thing as you. Over qualified, aka we can't afford to pay for your degree, or under qualified because of lack of 'real world experience'.

yep. basically tech jobs only require an Associates degree but Forester I jobs require a BS and 2 years experience. For those who did internships during college that is fine but I did not get that chance. It's stupid.

Are you ok!?

A little bummed, and shell shocked, but I'm good.
It gives me the opportunity to look for a job that is less stressful than the one I had.
In the meantime, it looks like I have the time to do all kinds of things I want to do!!

Seems like there's more positives than negatives here.

That's the way I'm looking at it..
There has always been issues off and on at this job, which made it very stressful. This gives me the opportunity to look for one in the same field with less stress.

Yep!

I hate that workers have to give a week or so in advance before quitting, but they can fire you on a dime!

Because of my legal position in the company as a Registered Architect, I was signed onto a 60 day notice if I left. Yet they turned around and transferred my title in one day to the new guy..

The youngsters yet again think they can triumph over the might of celestials. Little do they know, it may be their gravest mistake yet...

I wish you all the best in your search for new employment. I know the pains all too well.

Indeed. He has yet to realize his loss. I shall triumph and rise to new heights!

And I thank you for your words of encouragement.

I am sorry to hear that your job was costed.

But hopefully, you can find a new one! *hugs*

Thank you! I go on the hunt tomorrow - After I file for unemployment, and deposit my severance check!!

jeeze that sucks man

Meh, it gives me the excuse to find a better job..

That sucks, but at least you have a good attitude about it! I'll have to give you an extra hug next time I see you!

Ahhhh.. Promise??
It certainly helps that I was given a months severance and unused vacation pay..
It also forces me to evaluate some of the bills I pay for services I don't really need - like the telephone land line that rarely gets used..

Of course! I will give you tons of hugs!!!

YAY!!

That is total bs Eddie :( I'm sorry man. I hope you find a better job quickly.

Thankies.. Loss of job will not keep me from attending the Relay!! Besides, the hotel is all ready paid for!! And come to think about it, there's nothing to stop me from heading that direction even earlier!!

woot woot!

If age really was the reason for letting you go that might be a case where you could go after them for age discrimination...but that would also be a colossal headache and could scare away other employers. If they are willing to let a quality person such as yourself go, though, I'm guessing that you will be much better off at the next job, anyway. Their loss!

Best of luck on the job hunt, hope you find something great! :)

It wasn't age discrimination.. It was pay discrimination!!

Like you said, their loss, and an opportunity for me to look for a better job with less stress..

Awww Eddie, I'm sorry to hear this buddy. *hugs*

Thankies! It's actually a bit of a blessing. Looking for a less stressful position in the same field.

WHAT?! that's terrible! I'm so sorry

Yeah. Caught me by surprise! I'm all ready networking with people I know in the same field.

Keep me updated ok?

Okies!!
I haz a job interview in the morning with some good people I know..
Is that a quick enough update?

Yes :3 I'm glad you got an interview that fast. I was worried

Me too.. And it looks like the new job is a go as soon as they can get a computer set up for me..

Yay :3 hope its better

They're people I know, who all ready know how I work from when we worked together at another company.. I know it will be a lot less stressful than where I was.

Then I'm very glad :3

I'm so sorry :/ good luck with the job hunt! The next job will be lucky to have you!

Thank you! I take that as a compliment!!

I appreciate that!

Awww Eddie! Hang in there kitty!

Yeah.. I was in shock last night, but I've all ready found a possible opportunity.

Good for you. This is just an opportunity for you to try something new :)

It is.. I do have a job interview in the morning..

Sounds like a case for a law suit. I am not sure that is even legal, terminating your job to hire someone cheaper. When you file for unemployment, they should be able to give you some advice. It might be worth it to contact a labor attorney.

It happens all the time around here and unfortunately isn't.. Now if it was because I'm older, I would have a case.

If they didn't offer you a different job or ask you to take less money, then yes, it may be illegal. The age thing is implied, especially if they show a pattern of this behavior. It still might be to your benefit to talk to a labor attorney.

I just looked this up, and firing someone to hire someone who will work for less money is a breach of Good Faith and Fair Dealing. http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclope.....gal-32282.html

It states that making up a reason to fire someone to hire someone cheaper is a violation of your basic employee rights. They didn't even make something up. There is also implied age discrimination because you are over 40. The article says you should seek out an attorney right away. You will have loss of income and mental stress caused by this which will be part of your suit. There will also be punitive damages assessed against the company, especially if they have a record of this kind of behavior. Please, at least set up a consultation with an attorney. They don't charge you just to hear if you have a case with merit.

Valid points my awesome friend.. I do have an attorney with whom I will discuss this. Thank you for your research!
However, this is just my opinion. I did receive a written letter of termination describing the terms of my dismissal. I know they are bold faced lies, but unfortunately I cannot prove otherwise.
I do have some degree of personal satisfaction in that one of the other employees left the company today due to their disagreement of the principals under which I was terminated.
To be really honest, it's a relief to no longer be working there.
The good news, I have a job interview in the morning with some good people that I know, and the opportunity for some free lance work with a residential designer that I help out from time to time.

The attorney can have them provide employment records and job reviews. If they are making this up, it usually shows up as a "sudden" not satisfactory job performance report with no warnings. That guy who quit also has a case against them, and you should try to get him to come with you to the attorney interview. His case would fall under the "Unlawful acts" and "Hostile Work Environment" categories. Set up your attorney interview asap. If there was any kind of benefits or such that you could have worked towards or health benefits that you may have lost, be sure to tell your attorney about those, too. You can't recover the years working towards a benefit if you have to change companies.

Well, that sucks I wish you the best of luck finding employment again! *hugs*

It does, and thanks! It gives me the opportunity to look for a less stressful job.

Sad news to hear but hopefully you can find something bigger and better to do! *bigfluffydoghugs*

They just don't know what they'll be missing.

I've all ready talked to someone where I used to work. She says it's like a tomb in there today.

Welcome to the club.

Yup. been here before. I'm all ready networking with people I know at other companies.

Thanks!

Is South Carolina a right to work state like Tennessee is? if so you don't have a leg to stand on for a lawsuit. That's just the way the world works it happens all the time. Best wishes and it sounds like you have a positive attitude about it that's the best way to go.

I think it is...but I'd have to look that up

Yes it is..

Good luck. My brother once had to file for unemployment and he said that wasn't fun at all. But once he found a new job he was happy...and now he works on an oil rig out in Colorado.
That kind of sucks of that company to replace you like that. =/

Agreed! Nowadays you file online, which is better than having to go in.. Every couple of months you have to go in for an evaluation and turn in your work search paperwork.

Honestly I liked going into the store/place because when they see you you sometimes have a better chance of getting hired. I feel like no one responds to online applications. I've lost count on how many online applications I've filled out to various stores and restaurants.

In my business, it varies.. Mostly I've found that networking with people you know in the same business is the best way to find another job.
When I said online, I meant to apply for unemployment.

Oh man, that sucks :(. I'm sorry to hear this, my own employer layed off a bunch of folks last month - I am still employed, but my role is changing.

I hope you are able to find a new job in your field. And I'll see you next month for Relay for Life :).

Yeah, been there before, too.
Yup, I will be there!!

I'm sorry to hear you're minus your job, but awesome that you get some time to do some you things, and i'm sure you'll be back in the saddle in no time. And FWA is just around the corner! Hooray! :D

Sooo much looking forward to FWA.. Fortunately, everything is all ready budgeted for my cons through Anthrocon.

And I have a job interview in the morning.. It seems the old adage is true: It's not WHAT you know, but WHO you know.
If it works out, I will be posting it.

Fingers crossed for you!

Thanks!!

Sorry to hear about the job, good luck on the interview. I checked if the company I work for had any openings down in your area, but alas they didn't. The only positions listed would likely require relocation.

Thanks for checking for me!! I really do appreciate that!! You get one hella hug for that next time I see you!

Hope your interview goes well woof ^^

I think it did.. I'll know something certain in a couple of days.

Sorry to hear about the job loss. I know what it's like to be laid off... Hope the interview goes well though. Good luck to you~

Thanks man.. The good news is it looks like the new job is a go..

We are so sorry to hear about this, Eddie. We wish you luck in your job search. Please let us know if there is anything we can do for you. You are in our thoughts.

Not only are you guys awesome suit builders, but wonderful friends as well!
Thank you for the kind words and offers..
The good news is I had an interview yesterday, and it looks 95% certain I will start a new job within a couple of weeks.

That's wonderful news! Please keep us updated. We will be thinking of you!

Good to hear that it sounds you've landed on your feet. It only goes to show how important networking and having the proper credentials is in some professions.

Exactly.. Typically I would deal with unemployment and job shops first, this time I decided to try the networking tactic first, as that is how I got my job last time I was unemployed..