Lost my job, woohoo...advice? (LONG post)

On Saturday, Feb. 26 I went into work and got fired.

Since July of last year, I was the trailer hitch guy at a U-Haul here in Milwaukee. Hitch installs died off in the wintertime, so they quickly got me to learn the basics of the counter position and basically stuck me there all winter, with virtually no training, and not even a silly reference manual to work with. I was fired on that Saturday for what my manager claimed was, "giving a discount to every customer that walked into the store." Now, I've worked retail before, and I'm not stupid. Any discount I gave was in a situation where we basically screwed the customer (i.e. we rented out an appliance dolly and someone forgot to put it on the truck so I didn't charge it, or our truck broke down 5 miles from the store so I cleared the rental without charge). I guess that I was giving away too much of U-Haul's money by providing an expected amount of customer service? I had learned the ins-and-outs of the store, and had been training (myself) to take over as full-on manager at another store. Sadly, that's off the plate - and I've been fired from a job and marked down as not rehireable for the first time in my life. I also don't qualify for WI unemployment (apparently) due to my method of termination. Then again, I WAS working for a company known for fistfights at shareholder meetings...

Regardless, I lost my job and don't know what to do. I've submitted my resume to quite a few places I could stand to work (local auto/cycle dealers with parts counter openings, various HR departments, etc), but I have a few other things to consider that I'm not quite sure about...

From June '07 to Feb '08, and again from May '09 to May '10, I worked for a local granite countertop company. This is a Chinese-owned and operated company that really doesn't conform to OSHA standards, but aside from that, I worked in a sales capacity. Putting on a face for a white collar sales job is pretty mentally stressful to me, and management was typically awful in regards to customer service (screwed up tops going out frequently, sloppy install staff, stuff like that). Previously, I was paid cash under the table, as contracting sales staff is pretty illegal here, so I don't feel safe listing this job on my resume. Unfortunately, a lot of my skills were learned here, as I not only learned the typical ins-and-outs of a stereotypical salesman, but also gained a lot of experience with MS Excel and other administrative skills. I know I could walk back into the place with my nice suit on and get my job back right away - word has it they've got everyone on a W-2 now and are paying $14/hr - but I feel like the company could go under at any moment due to the shaky management and history of illegal practices, so I remain skeptical.

On a different note, as of last November, myself and a few buddies have been renting a 2300/sf shop space for all of our vehicle projects. I currently have the Brat and XT6 in there along with my bike and all my tools. We have a couple of people in right now for winter storage ($$$), but when they clear out and the XT6 is fully parted, I'll have 3-4 spots to work with. I've been considering the idea of possibly starting my own auto repair business, though I wonder about the specifics of ASE certification, and liability insurance and all that...it seems like a pretty big workload. I'm somewhat sure of getting decent business (through friends and my connections in the local punk community, EVERYBODY asks me if I'll work on their car) but that also seems like kind of a gamble.

My monthly bills are pretty cheap; between the shop, my share of the 3-bedroom flat, and utilities, I pay about $800/mo for everything. I recently sold my E34 wagon and bought an S12 200SX, which has put me about $1500 in the black. I also have a pretty solid investment account through Edward Jones that was left to me by my grandmother; I'm trying really hard not to touch it (though, admittedly, I've bought a few car parts with dividend payments).

Worst case scenario, I'll just go find another local delivery job, blasting around in a Saab 900T delivering subs was actually pretty fun a few years back. I could go work at another call center, or another gas station, or whatever - I just feel as though I'm more qualified than that, or like I can do something better. In three jobs now I've busted ass trying to reach that promotion carrot they dangle in front of your face, only to realize I was just being used - so I went somewhere else.

In the meantime I'm just building my Challenge car, so I guess it's not all bad.

Should be a good year for the Challenge- I am doing the same!

Unfortunately, I have a little higher expenses to support than you, along with a family.

Sounds like you've got your head on pretty squarely, so I think you'll do OK.

I'd really hesitate on starting an automotive business- the risk level is pretty high, and you apparently don't have experience owning a business. Keep it as a side job, and keep your head down.

Don't walk away from U-Haul without a fight. If what you say is true, I'd ask the DOL to investigate. If the employer is misrepresenting things to deny you umemployment compensation you are due, you've got a case. Additionally, that "not re-hirable" black mark could come back to haunt you. They have essentially accused you of theft- it's their job to prove it. Make them prove it. If you just roll over, you might find it has long lasting implications for future jobs or benefits.

If you were a subcontractor salesman, go ahead and put it on your resume. It's experience. But your employer was "self", not the Chinese guys.

Assuming, of course, that you paid your taxes...

SVreX wrote: Don't walk away from U-Haul without a fight. If what you say is true, I'd ask the DOL to investigate. If the employer is misrepresenting things to deny you umemployment compensation you are due, you've got a case. Additionally, that "not re-hirable" black mark could come back to haunt you. They have essentially accused you of theft- it's their job to prove it. Make them prove it. If you just roll over, you might find it has long lasting implications for future jobs or benefits.

Very good advice.

bravenrace wrote:

SVreX wrote: Don't walk away from U-Haul without a fight. If what you say is true, I'd ask the DOL to investigate. If the employer is misrepresenting things to deny you umemployment compensation you are due, you've got a case. Additionally, that "not re-hirable" black mark could come back to haunt you. They have essentially accused you of theft- it's their job to prove it. Make them prove it. If you just roll over, you might find it has long lasting implications for future jobs or benefits.

Very good advice.

I already have a meeting on the 10th with the DOL to go over this. Trust me, I worked WAY too hard at that job to sit down as they try to pull this E36 M3.

SVreX wrote: If you were a subcontractor salesman, go ahead and put it on your resume. It's experience. But your employer was "self", not the Chinese guys. Assuming, of course, that you paid your taxes...

Heh heh...

Might want to talk to the state folk about that firing and the basis. It might be appealable or challengeable. Particularly if it was really as you describe.

Otherwise, you could just leave a hole in your resume. These days, that's not unbelieveable. Nor is a bland entry about "odd jobs to make ends meet". No need to list a junk job employer who will likely say nasty things about you.

What do you like to do?

What makes you excited to go to work?

What do you want to be trained to do?

I only ask because once you get the whole thing sorted with Uhaul. You probably should start thinking about what you want to do later on, choose a direction and jump. Even if it turns out to be wrong, It'll be better than kinda just bouncing around when someone decides to toss you out.

Wanna grind castings for $12/hr in Waukesha?

93gsxturbo wrote: Wanna grind castings for $12/hr in Waukesha?

Yeah, actually I do!

You'll work alot of nights, weekends and probably most holidays, and deal with the great unwashed. You can also make about $26/hr if I remember right and ,most agencies promote from within so if you show them you are bright and a good worker you should be able to get out of the seat into better jobs.

http://www.ridemcts.com/Careers/Current-Openings/Bus-Operator/

Wow, sounds familiar. Just like my reason for being a UI leaching, watching Oprah, eating bonbons on the couch kind of life.

Basically, I got canned for giving an improper refund which lead to "harm to the business". I appealed my case and won after I let it be own I was never properly trained to do my job. So, where is the line for giving refunds? I surely didn't know. Oh and the company can opt out of the hearing which is an almost default to the ex-employee.

I have on and off toyed with the idea of being in the auto repair business, but dealing with the crackhead public puts a very quick end to that. I will not play the "why are you so expensive" and "can I pay you next month?" games to someone collecting welfare snorting pills up their nose.

So I did the next best thing, school. Two more years, I should be done.

foxtrapper wrote: Might want to talk to the state folk about that firing and the basis. It might be appealable or challengeable. Particularly if it was really as you describe. Otherwise, you could just leave a hole in your resume. These days, that's not unbelieveable. Nor is a bland entry about "odd jobs to make ends meet". No need to list a junk job employer who will likely say nasty things about you.

After recently serving on an interview panel and reviewing a stack of resumes, I would say it is a good idea to leave details out of resume that don't apply to the position you are applying for. So either a "odd jobs to make ends meet" or don't list details. Seriously, what does running a daycare have to do with cataloging and provisioning helicopter parts.

so what was the outcome of your meeting on the tenth? Do you have a case to sue or what?

digdug18 wrote: so what was the outcome of your meeting on the tenth? Do you have a case to sue or what?

I may; my application for unemployment has been appealed, I'll find out next week what the outcome is.

Luckily, thanks to RealMiniDriver, I'm now working for a small grinding shop in the area! I'm getting more than enough hours, and it's a HUGE step down from U-Haul in terms of the stress level. The work is fast-paced, but the atmosphere is laid back; 8-hour shifts are flying by. Really, I couldn't be happier.

I'm expecting my tax return soon, and I'm working again, so if U-Haul continues to try to bone me, I may just give it up. They are just a megalomaniacal corporation with connections to organized crime who ousted the founder, sued him into the ground, and murdered his favorite daughter, after all.

If you're working again, the point is moot.

DILYSI Dave wrote: If you're working again, the point is moot.

Pretty much. A percentage of the pay I missed would be nice, but I no longer have cause to burn myself out fighting for it.