GratuitousRex

Eggs, Cereal, PB & J and Ramen Noodles aka Lost my job

Yep.  You read right.

—Background—: Since July, I’ve been freelancing for a company, working from home. Two people own the company and they use freelancers to do the gruntwork. About five of us.

It’s not in the same side of media that I’m used to working in but interesting nonetheless.

I got the job through my sister.  A friend of hers,  Beth, is one of the Partners. The other is Bob.

As I’ve said on this blog, Beth and I have had some… miscommunication… and we only communicate of Skype voice. She has claimed that I question her (as in her authority) and that I have an attitude, I’ve wasted time responding with nonsense when she was very busy.

To me she’s too sensitive, suspicious and controlling.

I’m sure we’re both right and both wrong. The truth is probably somewhere in between.

In November, Bob worked with me on projects, not Beth. Yes, only him. Not her. Not a good sign. I asked him, he said that he was going to be my point person because her and Beth had to split the work. But she stopped even responding to me.

Hmmm.

Something had to be up. It couldn’t have been she was too busy.

Meanwhile, I did some good work that we were doing and Bob was was my point person. Did my research and contacted people, made arrangements to do business. It was good.

Until… I had no work in December.  Zip. Bob claimed that there was no new work for me and that December had people finishing up projects.  Which is understandable. 

I did see a few new projects come in on the viewable project sheet but Bob just said there wasn’t enough work for everyone and that the work was given out according to skill set.

(Sigh) Ok Bob.

I sent some resumes out in December.  Had a few interviews.

—-End of Background—

Today, was a “review.” Beth didn’t say three sentences. As Bob introduced the conversation,  Bob said “unfortunately” at  FOUR SEPARATE TIMES.

Oh boy.

Then he said that I was brought on during a surge in business and now the surge is gone.  It made no sense to have me check in every day.

I was let go.

(Sigh)

Ok this didn’t come as a shock to me. Was it because of a slow down of work or my not getting along with Beth? Was it both? Who’s to say?

Bob did say I did good work and would be a reference for me.

To my credit, I mentioned that a gap in employment looks awful on a resume and since I technically was not an employee anyway, could I still claim to be a freelancer on my resume moving forward? Like on the deep bench?

This took them by surprise. And they said yes. Good.

(Sigh)

So I have to cutback some. Eat out even less. Do more cooking. Stock up on the cheap stuff: eggs, cereal, PB & J and ramen noodles.

I told Mona about it. She’s very supportive and helpful. Though on my side,  this is very emasculating. By no effort of hers, just not being able to pay for the things I’d like to. Not like I was doing so well while freelancing but now it’ll be financially really bad.

I already contacted people and sent out more resumes. Gotta keep pushing. Gotta watch myself, not to get stuck in struggle and “woe is me.”

I choose SUCCESS.

26 comments

  7. The zero income doesn’t bother us when the attempt is there and you are doing other things, which you are. Just a personal story that might help. During my last four years in Taiwan, my husband joined me, and the laws prohibit him from doing a job that citizens can do. Which meant no income for him. But he did so much to help me and make my job easier and was just supportive in a hundred different ways. I rarely even thought about the money. I still felt we were a team.

    These things are temporary. You will find something even better. I’ve lost two jobs without any warning (stupid office politics), but those things always led to something better. All the best to you. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  8. You were smart to ask the “deep bench” question.

    I’ll admit to being unclear on exactly what it is that you do, but perhaps you are the type of freelancer who would be valuable to a specialized temp agency? I’ve had friends on my coast who have gotten fairly lucrative short-term positions while maintaining their freelance status. It’s a way to double-team the “employment gap” conundrum; they still do/did freelance work but also earned semi-steady income. Something to think about.

    And what’s wrong with Ramen? I am the queen of cheap and easy foods. (I also learned how to make something out of next-to-nothing at a very young age. It helps when employment’s down. And I know of what I speak – my hubby has been out of work since August.)

    And: coupons! Never pay full price. EVAR.

    Hope you find something soon! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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