Can't Do It Anymore!

[Joe Christian]

Hey, Keith, Congratulations on being freeform that place! I know all too well what it's like to have a job you just can't stand. As for the praise you recieved, I had a job once that took me to another community and was in public service. My first month I recieved the department's monthly award. Boy, did this steam my co workers. They also disliked me because I didn't go get drunk with them on weekends and all. I think alot of people were jealous of me becuase I didn't just become one of their good ol' boys. I also had a hard time with the double standards as I seem to understand you put up with. I didn't competely follow a rule to the letter and I was reprimanded. Somone that dropped the ball and put me at risk, they were not. Ok, listen to this. In Missouri, we are an "at will" state, meaning your boss can come up to you and fire you without any notice at all, no explanation, nothing. ( contracts with an employer and employee are to be followed by both parties, however)This also applies to employees as well if you quit. Now, here's the "rub"... You as an employee though are encoureaged by your employer to give two weeks notice, but your employer can (and alot of them do) hide behind the law and fire you and say"We don't owe you an explanation, we don't need or want you anymore." But this same employer will expect a two week notice,(some want longer) from you. Now, Hard2Catch is right. No, they cannot give you a "bad" reference. So, a person has to be cautious about this.We all know people don't always follow the law like they should. The way they talk to this person asking about you, hesitation in answering a question, a chuckle, anything like that can get you a "less than favorable" reference and they have not broken the law or any union rule. Be all as it may, Keith, I'm glad you're out of there. This sort of thing has bugged me a long time, and this was the perfect time to get something off my chest. God's speed, Keith!

[Keith]

Hello Everyone!

Thank you all for caring and taking the time to encourage and/or counsel me in this matter. I've read everyone's posts and considered them.

I'll try not to be long-winded here, but this was the gist of the situation...

I NEEDED to leave that job. Immediately. I had to do it for my mental, emotional and physical health. It was not just a "job I hated". It was abusive. I came very close to filing a harassment suit against the hotel and a few of the employees regarding the way I was treated. I was told I had a sure case. I must say that most of the people that worked there though really liked me. The coworkers that I told I was leaving cried but understood. I was only there for four months.

Truth be told, my motives for accepting that job were wrong. I took it because the hours allowed me to spend more time with someone I was in love with. I "knew" that God didn't want me in that job but I took it anyway. My relationship also ended very stressfully. I finally obeyed God and ended it. I knew God didn't want me in that relationship or in that job and I did it anyway. I was walking in complete disobedience.

I paid the price... big time! These things caused so much stress and anguish in my life that I ended up in the hospital with a serious, life-threatening illness that this stress perpetuated. My doctors vehemently "recommended" I quit that job immediately.

It took all of that for me to accept what I didn't want to. I have grown immensely from these experiences and spent a lot of time on my face repenting. I placed my relationship first in my life... above God. I have always enjoyed a very close, intimate relationship with God and I sacrificed it for my own desires.

The end result? I have run back to the Lord and recommitted myself to Him unreservedly, 100%! It was the worst time of my life but I am a new man because of it. My focus is clear and my desires are His once again. ALL the stress I felt is GONE! I am deliriously happy now! I can't imagine how I could have possibly strayed away from God's will for my life when I know full well that His plan for me is far better than anything I could ever hope or dream of!

Thanks again for taking the time to listen and read my posts. I am grateful!

[Keith]

Ok, listen to this. In Missouri, we are an "at will" state, meaning your boss can come up to you and fire you without any notice at all, no explanation, nothing.

Now, Hard2Catch is right. No, they cannot give you a "bad" reference. So, a person has to be cautious about this.We all know people don't always follow the law like they should.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yo, Joe!

Minnesota is an "at will" state as well. At the hotel I was under union contract though. I called my union representative when I was in the hospital to voice my concern about being fired over this, her answer to me was: "Minnesota may be an "at will" state, but the ************ Hotel is NOT an "at will" hotel! You have a contract with them and they HAVE to take you back whether they like it or not!" Had I stayed, they would have made my life utterly miserable, but that was never a concern for me. I could have easily handled that gracefully.

As far as the "bad reference" possibility. I'm also unconcerned about it. I did what I believe God wanted me to do by quitting immediately. I didn't give a two week notice, but I did leave respectfully and didn't cause trouble or argue. I trust God with my future job references.

Thanks for responding and for sharing your experiences in this area! It's always good to learn that we are not alone in what we're going through!

[Joe Christian]

Keith, I think you handled this very professionally and researched your options well. I'm glad you are doing better and seeking God's will totally! It does take guts to say what you did about your situation. Jesus forgives and it is great that you turned back to him! Wonderful!

[papasangel]

kieth my brother I will be praying for you. Please do not do what I did. I too worked at a place where I really loved the job because I got to witness to many people. I worked at a convience store and many noted that no matter if a customere was rude or not I always wished them a blessed day and gave them a smile. But there were things that plagued me too. Selling beer although I did have and use the discretion of NOT selling to those who already had imbibed and listening to those who worked with me gossip about others and literallly stab people behind their backs. Those were thw worst two aspect of my job. But I always did my best. Eventually it wore me to the point that I had a heart attack at the job. Thatt was my fourth heart attack and it was brought on by overwork and stress. Believe me when I say this. NO JOB is worth your health in that aspect. I will pray that God leads you to a better job that you can enjoy more. BTW, have you asked God about what He wants you to do? Maybe a conventional job isn't it. Think about it and meanwhile know we are standing with you in prayer.

[Keith]

I will pray that God leads you to a better job that you can enjoy more.  BTW, have you asked God about what He wants you to do?  Maybe a conventional job isn't it.  Think about it and meanwhile know we are standing with you in prayer.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thank you for your prayers! I have been in prayer that God will open the door to the job that He already has planned for me. That I won't "jump the gun" and take a job out of the fear of not having one! I agree, no job that adversely affects a person's health is worth it. I can't imagine that being part of God's plan for anyone...

[O'Dannyboy]

Hiya brother Keith:

I am inspired by your strength during this transition. I am curious to know if you have been able to collect unemployment benefits. Louisiana is an "at will" state as well and I must say I don't like it. As I understand it you can only collect if you were fired or laid off. Under your circumstances I would think you were entitled to benefits. I too am I too am becoming disenfranchised with the company I work for as well. Well, not necessarily the company but my supervisor.

It hasn't been long since I (informed) my supervisor that the way he was treating me COULD be considered discrimination. At the time he agreed. I had hoped in his acknowledgement that me might make an effort to be more understanding. Sadly nothing has changed. Its not completely his fault that I am unhappy. I understand now that I am jealous of one of my co-workers and so am critical of their performance. Still if cannot forget that this same co-worker takes advantage of my supervisors good nature and short sightedness. Two years I have had to watch and two years I have been able to stay my tongue. Being that I have been jealous of my co-worker I have scrutinized his every move and reported discrepancies accordingly. I look back on how I behaved and I am ashamed. I see what this job is doing to me and I don't like it. My work habits have gotten worse and I find myself giving my supervisor grief over it still.

I like my Job (the work I do) but I cannot continue to lower my standards because others are getting over. The job market should be picking up soon and after I tune up my resume', God willing I will find a better Job.

I know God will light the path for you and lead you to a brighter future. All glory to his name.