The Disposable Generation

By Joey Zimny

My husband lost his job recently. He is 55 years old. Not a good time to suddenly find yourself without security.

He was well liked where he worked. The numerous emails he's received from his co-workers certainly indicate this. Some have even commented on how they have lost respect for the person who was responsible for doing this. They have also made numerous suggestions as to how to improve the situation. Thank God for people like that! I'm sure we would not get such kindness from the person who disposed of him.

He is devastated and very depressed. I am also very upset because like him, I am very worried about our livelihood; I am very worried about his well being.

I have checked for work, but I am older then he is and jobs for women my age are not plentiful.

What really bothers me is the way he was let go. He was never given any specific or concrete reasons as to why his job was terminated. We were totally lost why this happened, so we consulted an employment attorney who opened our eyes to many things.

We found out that my husband's employer, along with one other in the state are among the two worst for doing this sort of thing to their employees. I inquired why they wouldn’t furnish him with a reason for his termination instead of throwing vagaries at him. The attorney explained that this buys them time. They can think of more reasons and spin them if you contest their decision. I was horrified at how manipulative this is.

So my husband sent a letter of resignation in lieu of termination. This way he can get good references and collect Employment Insurance providing the employer doesn't contest it. The attorney said he didn't think so, but also stated this particular employer can be vindictive as well. We are hoping this is not the case.

We had hoped that the employer would at least consider placing my husband in another position within his work place. They refused to consider it. We had hoped that they would give him upgrading so he could do the job better. They said no, this would take too much time...they didn't even give him a chance!

So, like so many unemployed, he's sending out his resume and hoping someone will look at the many years of experience he has and consider him to be someone who could be a valuable asset to their team.

Two younger people have come into the work place over the past year and one even admitted he wanted another person "like himself". This was his immediate manager...the general manager more or less made himself scarce through most of this.

So if you are faced with this crisis and it is a crisis, consult an attorney at the first hint of that something isn't right. Don't leave it and find out later you could have done something about it right away.