I was finally getting what I wanted. I was getting ready to quit my job. Six years in the same job - 13 years in the same field . . . I was ready for a change.
My internet business was beginning to take off . . . my baby boy changing to a toddler before my eyes . . . kindergarten on his horizon - and mine.
I was ready to take that leap to the self-employed . . . leave the rat race behind so to speak . . . leave all to my husband to deal with.
When Life Happened.
My husband's company decides to lay off hundreds of employees, and 13 years that my husband spent in this company, would all be ending in a couple of weeks. Suddenly - the spotlight is on me. My part time hours which I had gradually scaled back to - would be going right back up to 40 - maybe more.
I would be in a position I had not expected to be in - primary breadwinner for the three of us. *I* would have to pick up the dental benefits. *I* would have to pick up the health benefits . No more devoting my extra time to my internet business . . . but I would be spending the time, once again, in the rat race. 40 hours plus . . . and it sends me into a mild tailspin.
When Life Happens . . . Again.
My son, it seems, may have a hearing problem which is affecting his speech and language development. Therapy sessions once a week are imperative if he is to begin kindergarten in the next year.
I go from tailspin . . . to full blown panic . . . because *Life happened*.
How am I coping? . . . The same as hundreds of thousands of parents in today's dicey economy and job market. I also keep in mind that there are still thousands who are worse off than I am.
So the first step? Lay it all out on the table with my manager - now is not the time to NOT discuss family issues.and discuss these key issues.
~Know your companys' policies on insurance benefits and procedures for life altering situations such as death, divorce and spousal layoffs.
~How soon, if at all, does your company allow you to add the necessary benefits? Is there a 30 day waiting period?
~Find out if your company has an EAP (Employee Assistance Program), which avails company employees of counseling services, law advice, etc.
~Will your company provide the flexibility to allow you to deal with unexpected faily crisis?
Take advantage of any and all corporate assistance and flexibility programs. Anything which will allow you to handle your family affairs while still keeping your employment. All those things are options available to us - and you should know ALL that your company has to offer . . . especially in times of unexpected crisis.
So pick up that employee handbook you haven't looked at since your first days of working, et on your companys' website to see if policies have changed, been removed, or improved. Keep in touch with your personnel representative - know your points of contacts.
Keeping the lines of communications open with your supervisor and/or manager is the key to seeing yourself and your family through crisis - they can't help unless they know what you are dealing with.
And above all else - use the support available to you. Don't see your life's unexpected obstacles as insurmountable. When "Life Happens", reach out and use your resources and be prepared to give up soe things in order to make other things work.
Compromise.
Be Flexible.
Stay on top of the services available to you - when things happen, you will have a clear plan of action.
I did it - and so can you.
