Tomorrow is my last day at work after 15 years...

direwolf1972 · January 18, 2009 2:07PM

I started my current job in 1994. This month my company axed insurance benefits due to the current economy. Due to a few health problems (arthritic knee & bad back from car wreck) insurance is a must.

I've spoken with the corp. higher ups and they said that it will be at least a few years before they even consider bringing insurance back.

So time to move on.

This week I've gone through every emotion possible, mostly the thought of leaving is just depressing.

I could use a few bright coins to bring the spirits up.

blu62vette · January 18, 2009 2:14PM

The 13th was my last day of work. Emotional roller coaster is putting it mildly.

YaHa · January 18, 2009 2:16PM

Jesus loves you. Remember things will get worse before they get better. As many people know my health sucks, I live on Medicare since age 34. Fifteen years on Medicare, just found out when I get full blown retirement at age 60, although I am getting it now with local 400 Workers United Commerical Union, my health benefits will no longer be paid. So to everyone out there fight for your Medicare benefits. If you don't my friends they will be a crisis in the United States like you have never seen before.

Good Luck Direwolf.

Coxe · January 18, 2009 2:16PM

Good luck, Paul, getting through this. I was in a mass seasoned employee lay-off situation on my 15th anniversary (my last day with them) with a company I worked for. Moving on can sometimes be a good thing. Getting health coverage is, however, very important. I'll try to find a nice coin to post in a bit.

TwoSides2aCoin · January 18, 2009 2:25PM

Franklin (1948-1963)
Designer : John R. Sinnock; weight 12.50 grams; composition .900 silver, .100 copper (net weight .36169 oz pure silver) diameter 30.6 mm, reeded edge; mints; Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco.

not a bad design for 15 years

There'S "half" a boost.

Unknown · January 18, 2009 2:31PM

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garsmith · January 18, 2009 2:33PM

We had a lay off at my work last Friday, I survived but may of my friends did not. It's a hard time out there right now; have you tried to get your employer to let pay your own premiums on a company insurance plan.

Bear · January 18, 2009 2:33PM

Keep your job at all costs. Buy private insurance.

The number of available jobs in the job market

is plummeting.

MrMag · January 18, 2009 2:38PM

I too would keep the job.

Although I suppose it depends on what the job is. You might have a harder time finding a new one.

blu62vette · January 18, 2009 2:41PM

Sounds like he may be uninsurable through private insurance....

GAT · January 18, 2009 2:56PM

I also have had back surgery and arthritis in my knee and and hip. I would have never quit a job over insurance. Are you a veteran? If so, you could always fall back on the VA health system. Here in California we have MediCal for people who can't provide for their own care. It must work because it draws millions of illegals to free load.

YaHa · January 18, 2009 2:59PM

<< Sounds like he may be uninsurable through private insurance.... >>

True, but some insurance companies due the new Federal Hippa law they are not suppose two. Remember most private insurers have a 1/2 limit on pre existing problems. So saving your job might be a good idea until you find something else. Call your local Congressmans office and ask them to help you with your search you would not believe want they might find ya. Be ready to pay high $$$ but it will be worth it. Again GOOD LUK.

oreville · January 18, 2009 3:10PM

It seems that we may just need to go through a horrible but short depression to get all of this slow and festering pain and suffering over with.

Once we hit bottom and the doctors and health care industry is also out of work, then the rebirth can begin with much more reasonable health care costs.

Maybe we will see the return of the $10 doctor visit to OUR homes?

direwolf1972 · January 18, 2009 3:17PM

While I agree that in some circumstances quitting a job over loss of insurance would be a bad idea... I am a waiter. If I had a corporate job of some sort I'd try any way I could to hang on.

I know of a couple other restaurant chains that still offer insurance.

I know I can find a job.

The biggest bummer is that most of the people I work with have became like family over the years.

It feels sort of like when I moved out of my parents house and 700 miles away when I was 18.

Anxious and depressed yet hopeful that something good will come of it.

YaHa · January 18, 2009 3:19PM

<< It seems that we may just need to go through a horrible but short depression to get all of this slow and festering pain and suffering over with.

Once we hit bottom and the doctors and health care industry is also out of work, then the rebirth can begin with much more reasonable health care costs.

Maybe we will see the return of the $10 doctor visit to OUR homes? >>

Orvelle, I think many doctors deserve their pay. The systems broke. I'm proof, I am 84% disabled by AMA guidelines. I was one of the few that didn't benefit from a freefall of money because of someone that thought he had the power to right the ship and make me a example at age 34 being hurt horribly at work. It is the systems fault because of being scare of trash and humans that sue for the color of their skin and no one wants their town or homes burnt to the ground.

I think the insurance and Pharm co's are to blame with no regs. And anyone that think the new man in the oval office can make a difference you better think again.

As I am not a Dr. because I'm stupid and less of a human, I don't think I would want a cut in my salary if I was working any job.

But I do like your thinking.

illini420 · January 18, 2009 3:27PM

wow, last day of work and it's on a Federal Holiday???? ouch...

if you need decent insurance but are "uninsurable" do what my parents do... just register for a couple of online local junior college classes (they have to take you), pay the tuition and get student rate health insurance (cheap and they have to take you). I think my mom has failed some marine biology course a dozen times by now..

anyways, best of luck to you

JTMac · January 18, 2009 3:43PM

I would guess you have another job lined up. Your statement leads me to believe the emotional roller coaster is over leaving a job you have come to appreciate. The people and the work.

I left my job 1 year ago. Grew tired of being on the road. Took a paycut to accomplish this.
I now look back at a very scary time as being the greatest opportunity in my career.

Sure being in your 40's and making a decision like this is overwhelming, it should be or you are not thinking straight.
What it does though is provide you the OPPORTUNITY to make additional friends, use your skills under a new light and show your value to an employer who may be better equipped to weather the current economic issues.

From past experiences, the first things to go in a large company are;

1) controlled travel - this hits sales and is a key indicator of a company that may become smaller in the next year.
2) free coffee - this is the true signal of the balance sheet, if you can't afford the caffeine to get more productivity then something is wrong
3) forced vacation time
4) insurance pullback or large increases demanded on employees
5) layoffs

It sounds to me like you might be making the right decision to move on.

Good Luck!

DBSTrader2 · January 18, 2009 4:05PM

direwolf1972:

If the company just cut benefits & you have to leave, does COBRA apply? It might be at a higher rate, but at least you have coverage for a while. Does COBRA apply if a company drops insurance but you stay on? I'd look into it just in case.......... Good luck - - to you and ALL of us!

- - Dave

direwolf1972 · January 18, 2009 4:13PM

<< I would guess you have another job lined up. Your statement leads me to believe the emotional roller coaster is over leaving a job you have come to appreciate. The people and the work.
>>

exactly

I dont want to mislead anyone that I'm loosing a huge paying job.

To some of us on the lower pay scale just enjoying your job and liking the people you work with means a lot.

To me it was actually a tough choice.

Going to look for a new job that offers insurance won due to logic.

pennyannie · January 18, 2009 4:18PM

My wife provides our insurance needs, last year she had to change jobs, due to the new one we had to carry Cobra insurance for a while due to pre existing conditions with my son and i cost me 1150 a month last year for that. Her new company insurance cost us 700 a month with 5k deducts for each of us. Her company is now in the yearly open period and insurance is going to be even worse, 800 a month 5k each plus plus plus. I just found a policy for the 3 of us that covers our needs for 420 a month with only a 100 dollar deduct each, plus i get to write it off my taxes.

employer insurance used to be the way to go, now i wonder.

I would not quit a decent job becasue of the insurance at this time.

No coin to post but insurance gets my blood pressure up. sorry

Unknown · January 18, 2009 4:19PM

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direwolf1972 · January 18, 2009 4:35PM

<< 

<< 

<< I would guess you have another job lined up. Your statement leads me to believe the emotional roller coaster is over leaving a job you have come to appreciate. The people and the work.
>>

exactly

I dont want to mislead anyone that I'm loosing a huge paying job.

To some of us on the lower pay scale just enjoying your job and liking the people you work with means a lot.

To me it was actually a tough choice.

Going to look for a new job that offers insurance won due to logic. >>

What ever happened to not leaving until you found a new one.
By your last statement, "going to look" means you haven't yet but are financially prepared to do so, correct? >>

I'm as financially prepared as I can be. Jan / Feb / most of March are very lean months in the waiting tables business to begin with. Having done it for all these years I've learned to put as much of a nest egg as I can away for the winter months after Christmas.

It is typical this time of year to leave after a full shift and have $15 worth of tips in your pocket, compared to $150 in tips on a full shift in early December.

Jumping ship now is the best option so that I can be trained and ready somewhere new by Easter time when the money starts to pick back up.

I did give two weeks notice which will come due tomorrow. If in a few years they started to offer insurance again I will be able to go back to work at my original job.

I apologize everyone I didnt mean for this to get into a debate.

I just know tomorrow is going to be stressful for me when I leave my job and was looking for a few coins to brighten my day while enjoying an "In-Bev or two" as Alan would say.

Unknown · January 18, 2009 4:39PM

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rgCoinGuy · January 18, 2009 9:51PM

Good Luck!

lkenefic · January 18, 2009 9:58PM

I feel for you.... I didn't loose my job so I'm in a different situation. I just started a new job last week and I can definitely attest to how hard a market this is to crack. As others have suggested: "a bird in the hand" approach might be more beneficial at this point while trying to work out something with insurance with your HR depoartment. In the meantime... get your resume together and start making phone calls.

Good Luck!

Leo

PerryHall · January 18, 2009 11:09PM

I think you're crazy to quit your job without a new job lined up, especially in the current economic climate. I'm wishing you the best of luck. Let us know how you make out. When you get a better paying job with medical insurance, we expect you to celebrate by having a giveaway.

Longacre · January 18, 2009 11:15PM

The Man does not care about the employees. It is all about costs and making the numbers. The critical thing is to keep yourself marketable and have skills that are in demand across all industries.

CertifiedGoldCoins · January 18, 2009 11:21PM

Best of luck with your new job. Here's your bright coin:

linerguy · January 19, 2009 12:00AM

Good luck. I know insurance is so very important, I live on Long Island and have Blue Cross. Problem here is that we have had to change Doctors 4 times due to them stopping all insurance. It is really unsetteling. I will pray for your succes in your job search.

garsmith · January 19, 2009 12:04AM

<< While I agree that in some circumstances quitting a job over loss of insurance would be a bad idea... I am a waiter. If I had a corporate job of some sort I'd try any way I could to hang on.

I know of a couple other restaurant chains that still offer insurance.

I know I can find a job.

The biggest bummer is that most of the people I work with have became like family over the years.

It feels sort of like when I moved out of my parents house and 700 miles away when I was 18.

Anxious and depressed yet hopeful that something good will come of it. >>

Don't quit a guaranteed income for a possible income; line up another job first than quit.

shorecoll · January 19, 2009 1:18AM

A lot of firms are contemplating dropping insurance because they think they heard Obama promise to cover anyone and everyone. I think they need to read the fine print. I've owned businesses for almost 30 years and I think socialized medicine is the only thing we can afford and I hate the implications of that as much as anyone. Good luck with your search and your new job.

crito · January 19, 2009 1:52AM

You're a bad wage slave. You should be thankful just to be allowed to live in America. I got a new deal for ya though:

The future is clean coal... and the past too. LOL

So get to diggin'!

adamlaneus · January 19, 2009 2:04AM

"Dam"

crito · January 19, 2009 2:05AM

And don't forget that success comes from hard work in America. Politics and money has absolutely nothing to do with it. Therefore, sharecroppers and coal miners must be very lazy people. And Paris Hilton must be doing a lot of heavy lifting.

I heard it on CNN so it must be true.

Billet7 · January 19, 2009 2:09AM

I'm sorry.

Check out the 1807, it is a nice looking coin.

LALASD4 · January 19, 2009 2:11AM

I would think twice about leaving, most restaurant work is part times, and as the new person, you will mostly likely get less shifts.

lathmach · January 19, 2009 2:16AM

Keep your insurance up through Cobra, direwolf1972. You have to pay premiums yourself, but if you have health problems you must have insurance.
My insurance costs me $804 a month, but I have prescription coverage. My medicine cost is over $900 a month so I get the insurance for free really.

Ray

57loaded · January 19, 2009 2:35AM

is any of your health issues work related? being a waiter opens the door for so many joint and back injuries, that are truly legit.

if so, you may have some recourse via a w/c claim.

BlindedByEgo · January 19, 2009 2:41AM

Best of luck to you, Paul. With all of the restaurant chains closing nationwide, cancelling insurance may be the difference between survival and bankruptcy. Sad times, indeed.

OregonCityGold · January 19, 2009 3:04AM

This thread gives me pause. Here this kid is talking about taking in $15 of tips per night, and I'm thinking of dropping major scratch on old coins. I don't know. Seems crazy to spend money on coins during times like these.

Tomorrow is my last day at work after 15 years...

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