Unemployed and Desperate

[Tugg Speedman]

I was informed by a number of people who I frequently visit strip clubs with that there’s this unique board to get info about strippers and opinions about strippers and escorts also. So here I am and this is not about me but a very close friend who is in need of some great advice if it’s possible. I must add that there are supposedly lawyers and very articulate people on this board with helpful advice. Okay so my friend is unemployed and it was not by choice. He had actually became ill at work and had to take a leave. His boss and management were getting annoyed with his absence despite the fact he provided his company with medical records so he wouldn’t be let go. He was in between jobs at the time and this was a new company he started working for so he was on their payroll for no less then 3 months, I believe. So without any further notice they decided to relieve him.

He has been out of work for a few months now and had to relocate so he could live with his folks and he’s flat broke. I know he’s been trying to find work ever since being let go by his former employer without any success. He is constantly going to temp agencies and various other employment offices but nothing. They told him the job market is stale at the moment and there is no work. His last resort now is to collect Welfare and his is very embarrassed to do so. I have lent him money to get by since he lost his job. It’s a tough situation and Welfare seems like the only choice right now since he has no income. His parents are actually willing to say he pays rent and food just so his checks may be a bit more than what Welfare would pay.

Can anyone here suggest a better solution and what Welfare or any other department may help to provide him with some cash before that employer finally comes calling?

Thanks people of terb

 

[centurygirl]

Did he file his EI report, so he could get unemployment benefits, with them even if oyur laid off you can still complain EI.

Welfare is good if he can get it, even though they tell you not too save some of the money he gets from welfare just put it into an account that is not on file with welfare.

www.callcasting.com is a company that hires people to work from home to be custmer service reps. I recently got an email from telus that they are hiring. I did send them my resume.

Also he might want to send out his resume to places that are hiring even if its at a mcdonalds. its something to keep him going and keep his spirit going.

Times are tough, but as logn as he has a goal in mind and can take on jobs in a call centre or fast food or even retail things should be pick up.

 

[Noir]

Your friend could try to do some manual labor if he is able-bodied. I know that it is difficult work, however, they are usually searching for people and it's same day cash pay if he were to find the right place. (Same applies for those with forklift licenses.) Getting a trucking license (EZ?) is a possibility now, although things are pretty slow for cross country trips (that's where to make the money is made, on those longer trips.)

I'm not entirely sure about applying for EI seeing as he was at his job for less than 3 months...I don't think that he'd be able to get anything but hey, anything is possible.

I know that times are difficult for everyone and I'm sorry to hear that your friend is going through this.

Best of luck to him.

 

[hoppy625]

Speaking of forklift liscences has your friend checked with any liscencing schools. Sometime schools for operators (ie. forklift or heavy equipment) or drivers will help with gov't programs that will cover course costs. After that the school will usually help with job placement. Job placement may be a little difficult with the current economy but it's worth looking into.

 

[toughb]

"they decided to relieve him"

Is this company in the MP business...

 

[centurygirl]

He should investigate the EI option which is based not just on his recent employment but beforehand.

People collect EI for being sick too. There might be some special considerations there.

Also if he is collecting EI, they have programs for him to go back to school or also for him to get start up to start his own business.

Labour-ready does pay cash daily for jobs, and those trucking companies hire for many positions even adminstration positions.

 

[Tugg Speedman]

Did he file his EI report, so he could get unemployment benefits, with them even if oyur laid off you can still complain EI.

Welfare is good if he can get it, even though they tell you not too save some of the money he gets from welfare just put it into an account that is not on file with welfare.

www.callcasting.com is a company that hires people to work from home to be custmer service reps. I recently got an email from telus that they are hiring. I did send them my resume.

Also he might want to send out his resume to places that are hiring even if its at a mcdonalds. its something to keep him going and keep his spirit going.

Times are tough, but as logn as he has a goal in mind and can take on jobs in a call centre or fast food or even retail things should be pick up.

The callcasting.com link did not work. He has tried other jobs such as mcdonalds and even those places aren't calling right now. That's how bad the economy is right now.

 

[MPAsquared]

He should be a driver for Dancers, MPA's and SP's

 

[Aardvark154]

Tugg Speedman are we correct that he lives within the Golden Horseshoe?

 

[snowleopard]

Noir's advice is good. Trucks have to keep rolling, even in a recession, and with the government providing billions in new infrastructure funding, there will be a need for truckers, though obviously, experience is preferred. Provided he can pass a diriver's medical exam, if your friend is on EI or welfare, the government will help cover the cost of training to aquire an AZ licence. It's worth a try.

 

[Tugg Speedman]

Tugg Speedman are we correct that he lives within the Golden Horseshoe?

No, he lives outside the GTA.

 

[centurygirl]

The callcasting.com link did not work. He has tried other jobs such as mcdonalds and even those places aren't calling right now. That's how bad the economy is right now.

Try contractxchange.com or callcasting.com also swiss chalet and pizza hut hire home agents.

www.toucan.cc they do training like every weekend.

 

[Aardvark154]

No, he lives outside the GTA.

In Canada or the U.S.?

 

[mcdoste]

This actually brings to point something that I've been trying to drill into the head of my kids. I've only been without work for 3 months in my life (lets say 45+) by someone elses choice. I am not a University Grad but have taken part time training programs all my life.

Many people get caught in the fact that they have a good job but it is very specific in its skill set. Say the automotive factory worker for example. They do a job day after day, it pays well and they really like it. It is a skilled job for their industry. Then the economy tanks. They don't have any training for any other job than what they were doing at their factory. Although it was a skilled job, it has no application outside of where they were.

EI and other departments of the gov't have lots of retraining programs that qualify for funding as mentioned in previous posts. Your buddy should look at these and find a way to get skill training that will be useful in a broad range of industries. If it's a labour job they are looking for, then check out welding and CNC. Welders get paid well and are always in demand. Some places pay more than $40/hr to start for a person with the right skills. There are computer programing, operator, keyboarding and many more that are offered.

Times are tough all over Ontario. Although they may be strapped for cash, get them to go out for coffee to *bucks, Timmies and so forth. You never know what you will over hear. Also, they should "visit" the temp agencies and deliver resumes in person on a regular basis. People tend to remember those that they have met in person. These agencies get hundreds of applicants each day (the good ones anyway) if you make a good impression in person, you may make it higher on a list than those that just do the original paperwork and then sit back and wait.

Lastly, even McDonalds wants their employees to present a good image. Dress appropriately for a job hunt. You don't need a suit and tie but look good. Even for the EI office. These folks make an impression of you in the first 15 seconds and more than 50% of that is appearance. If that 15 seconds says "this guy's serious about looking" they start to think how they they can help.

Just my 2 cents

 

[hans4u]

If he is able to get into T.O there are a
number of drug research companies that
pay an average of $800 to $1,600 to healthy
volunteers for 2 weekends/weekdays of blood/allergy studies.

Some guys are making upwards of $3,000. for a 3 session period.

Check out the free morning paper in Toronto or go online.
You stay overnight during the periods and meals are included.

Also, it is an opportunity to network with others.

 

[RTRD]

As someone...

Noir's advice is good. Trucks have to keep rolling, even in a recession, and with the government providing billions in new infrastructure funding, there will be a need for truckers, though obviously, experience is preferred. Provided he can pass a diriver's medical exam, if your friend is on EI or welfare, the government will help cover the cost of training to aquire an AZ licence. It's worth a try.

...who knows someone in the logistics business, I can tell you it ain't good for trucks right now. Indeed, her office was just closed this week (she is fine -they really like her a lot...indeed they opened the satellite office just for her to get experience managing her own branch / center location, but the economic downturn made it redundant...so back to the main branch she goes)

This is how she explained to me, and it makes perfect sense if you think about it: People are broke. They buy less shit. Stores don't need to replenish stock as often. Trucks are used to replenish stores. Don't need as many trucks.

Actually, she explained that the logistic industry is one of the FIRST to feel an economic downturn, and in fact she saw this coming well before it became news. Point of information, the logistics industry is one of those that economists / think tank types always try to contact to get a feel for how the economy is going...she gets a call a week from some Ph.D type...

Believe me, there are A LOT of out of work truckers right now, and they aren't hiring new ones....

 

[Keebler Elf]

I've been telling people for years and years not to get into the manufacturing sector in general and the auto industry specifically. As a society we are moving out of the manufacturing (secondary) industries and towards a service-based (knowledge) economy.

Personally I think you're short-sighted and nuts to get into manufacturing. Sure the auto plants pay a good wage, but look at them now. And transferable job skills? Yeah, right. I'm especially perplexed by young people taking manufacturing jobs. Dumb, dumb, dumb.

As other posters have said, you need transferable job skills that will work in as many jobs as possible. Our economy is moving towards a major labour shortage (the current short-term crisis notwithstanding) and those who can leverage their skills across many different jobs will make a killing. Those who can only do one thing will get stuck with the jobs the more skilled people don't want.

 

[hans4u]

Has he considered applying as a firefighter or policeman?

 

[calvin & hobbes]

ummmmmmmm

This actually brings to point something that I've been trying to drill into the head of my kids. I've only been without work for 3 months in my life (lets say 45+) by someone elses choice. I am not a University Grad but have taken part time training programs all my life.

Many people get caught in the fact that they have a good job but it is very specific in its skill set. Say the automotive factory worker for example. They do a job day after day, it pays well and they really like it. It is a skilled job for their industry. Then the economy tanks. They don't have any training for any other job than what they were doing at their factory. Although it was a skilled job, it has no application outside of where they were.

EI and other departments of the gov't have lots of retraining programs that qualify for funding as mentioned in previous posts. Your buddy should look at these and find a way to get skill training that will be useful in a broad range of industries. If it's a labour job they are looking for, then check out welding and CNC. Welders get paid well and are always in demand. Some places pay more than $40/hr to start for a person with the right skills. There are computer programing, operator, keyboarding and many more that are offered.

can you point me to those $40/hr to start jobs? I've been a tool and die maker for almost 20 yrs with 9 yrs experience as a CNC operator/ programmer.
I've been out of a job ( not by my choice ) for 4 months now and I can assure you 100% that the few jobs that are out there even for CNC don't pay anywhere close to $40/hr even for experience let alone to start. The range I have been getting is from $14-22. Don't know where you're getting your info from but please pass it on. Those of us in need would surely like to know.

 

[Samurai Joey]

Tugg,

According to recent news coming from the IMF and the World Bank, the economy around the world is projected to grow by only 0.1%, the lowest since the Second World War. Unemployment has already grown to 7.2% in the US, the highest in almost 30 years.

The point I am trying to explain is that it is a very challenging period to be unemployed. Depending on what field your friend is in, it may well be necessary to pursue retraining programs or even go back to school. It is also important to always keep looking for any new opportunities where your friend can apply his skills.

Even during severe recessions, job opportunities still exist. I have been unemployed before (one time for a stretch of 6 months) so I certainly know what your friend is going through.

Personally, the best field for your friend to consider pursuing would be somewhere in the health care field (hospitals, clinics, etc.), since they tend to be more often than not recession-proof (people will always get sick and will need care). If your friend is more into hands-on manual labour, there may be opportunities as a plumber, electrician or mechanic (things break down and need fixing in recessions too). Hope this helps.

Samurai Joey