It's a toxic world-let's educate each other

Carrol2

dunesleeper I worked for the same company for 13 years, I mean I gave sweat, blood and tears. So when I decided to move out of state I told no one. About a month before I was going to give notice I was laid off, with a nice severence check, and collected unemployment for two years. But no one knew I was planning to quit, it was a mass lay off, me and 7 others were all let go in one meeting in the same room, then escorted to our desks to pack up and go. I was ready to go anyway pretty much.  I often think that the stress from that job gave me cancer, but it all worked out well for me in the end. My boss claimed he felt really bad an that it was out of his control. I know he felt bad because I was making him  look good, Three years later and he lost his whole department and he will probably retire soon.

Sherri well i bet it feels good to get away from that place. I know you were unhappy with how they treated you through all this. I bet your new boss will be way more understanding. I am way happier with my little sales job than the big executive job I had. Sometimes I miss the big paycheck but I know money is not everything, a hard lesson to learn.

dunesleeper

WTG Sherri! It is a huge relief knowing I am leaving that place. I hope I can put together a nice notice of retirement that gives just a vague hint of an FU. LOL

SheriBell

Last day is June 11th - I am counting the days!!!!  Dunesleeper - when are you resigning?  Thanks Carrol - I appreciate all the support!

Sherryc

Sherri you won't regret it.  12 years ago I walked away from a big corp executive job that I hated and was very stressful.  Have not missed it at all.  Three years ago went to work as a secretary with no stress and this is the best job I have ever had.  Pay sucks but has good benefits which is why I took it.

SheriBell

Thanks Sherry - I am headed to a super small office - only one dentist, one hygenist, one dental assistant and now....me!   I am hoping that with my marketing background I can help him get more patients.  He was part of a bigger practice but has struck out on his own a few years ago.

He is a really good dentist but really modest and does not boast about all the work he does to help the military (free dental work) and then he is part of the program whereby they give free dental care to impoverished people.    I think it is the SMILE program or something but it is a couple times a year where all these dentists get together in a big gymnasium and give people who can't afford it, free dental care.

My goal is to get him to loosen up a little and let me put some of these good deeds on his website.  I hope I can be a benefit to him - I would rather help someone like him earn money than a big company - at least now I can feel good about the work I do!

Also, as many of you know, I have my own side business helping people get involved with a store that specializes in toxic and chemical free products - which also is a passion of mine.

I wonder what it is going to be like working for things I really love and believe in???!!!!!   First time in my life!   I bet it is going to be sooo great.  I am sick of working for big companies that could give a crap about their employees! 

dunesleeper

Congratulations to those who have gotten out of toxic environments. I am back to being a nervous wreck about it, but it will be whatever it will be. I was doing pretty well and sometimes very well, but then I just talked to my mom to tell her when I would be coming home and I totally was NOT feeling the love. I thought her nastiness was due to my getting so upset and her not knowing what to do about it. Now I think she just doesn't approve of me retiring. She has been my only support system for so long. I guess it's time to cut the apron strings. Man! But what do you do when the bank takes your house? I guess you live in your car or on the street. I hope I can find someone to take my birds.

I hope I can soon report that I, too, have left a toxic environment and am doing well.

MariannaLaFrance

I got laid off from my company last year as well. The sad part is that I really, really liked my job. The really sad part? That my boss knew about my condition, knew that I only took 2 days off for surgery, and didn't really take any time off for rads, but still didn't try to fight for my position. (our group was laid off, but certain members were given "preferential treatment" and were given a notice with internal job interview leads while --- ahem--- certain others were not given the same.

Fast foward to a year later. I get a jobi offer from a small tech firm, accept the job, and 12 days later are acquired by the very same company that laid me off the first time!!!  Imagine that. The good part? I got all my seniority for my 401K and vacation time reinstated. The uncomfortable part? Reintegrating to a group that makes you feel a little uneasy, because they didn't necessarily treat me ethically.... I honestly think my cancer made me a bit of a target.

Anyway, that's my sob story. I'm figuring it out, grateful to be employed and grateful that I am here on this earth. 

dunesleeper

Oh wow Marianna. That is super freaky! What are the chances! I hope you will be alright. I really feel like it was my anger at how they treated me at work that made me "lose it" to the point that I started the retirement process. I have no idea what life will be like for me, as I have no idea whether or not I will be getting enough money to live on, but I won't be kicked around by them anymore. I will focus on getting myself well. Just one month from today they will have to find someone else to pick on. It's getting to be time for a happy dance!

Sherryc

Marianna that is so weird but I always so don't burn any bridges you just never know who will be your boss someday,

Dunesleeper hope your money issues will be OK.  I know mentally you will be great.

nibbana

Ok, Just went through the cabinets and threw out some older Rubbermaid products. Not sure exactly when BPA became a word synonymous with evil but all Rubbermaid is out. I replaced them with some Pyrex bowls for heating in the microwave.

The nibbana household will get healthier!  

dunesleeper

I wrote my resignation letter today. I'll give it to the boss Monday or Tuesday, depending on whether I go in there at all Monday. I am taking sick days every day I have a doctor's appt. I have PT Monday. The following Monday I have an appt with a shrink. That Thursday I have my 3 month follow up with the breast center. And frankly, I may take off all of the following 2 weeks. That takes me to my official retirement. No more Ms. Nice Girl! 

Carrol2

mariana that is just insane that things worked out that way. Hopefully those people that treated you unfairly will rethink that behavior now that they have to deal with you there again. Good thing you handled things gracefully the first time.

dunesleeper good for you girl! Take waht's yours and don't let anyone stand in your way.

dunesleeper

Thanks Carrol. I can use all the encouragement I can get!

SheriBell

I agree about not burning bridges - you just never know right?   There have been several of my sales assoicates joking with me about "why should I care" now that I am leaving and saying I should just blow off and not do anything now that I am leaving.  But that would only serve to make me feel bad because that is not how I am built.  I am still making suggestions, thanking customers, acting exactly the same as I always have and will be until that last whistle.  Hey, I may need a new computer or something in the future and want a good deal! he he   

On another note, any ideas on how dental practices get new patients???  lol 

purple32

Book suggestion:

Anti-Cancer , A new way of life.

By David Servan-Schreiber, MD, PhD

Couldnt devour this hardcover fast enough!  its great, and the author has brain cancer so there is a *real* vested interest there which is impressive.

dancetrancer

purple32, what a timely post.  I just watched his video from the library, and am about to get the book to devour as well!  He has an online website and a video where he presented his approach at MD Anderson.  He believes in integrative oncology (my personal belief as well) - do your conventional treatments - surgery, chemo, rads, etc. - but supplement your treatment by making the terrain (aka your body) as inhabitable to cancer growth as possible through diet, exercise, stress management, and a strong support system.  His lecture is absolutely fantastic, well supported by multiple research studies.

He was diagnosed around 30 years old with brain cancer.  He had surgery.  Another recurrence a year later, another surgery, chemo, and rads.  Was given a poor prognosis - likely only a few years.  Being a doctor (neuropyschiatrist, I believe), he applied himself to studying the literature about complimentary treatments - applied them - and lived another 20 years - beating the odds for his particular cancer for sure.  Sadly, he passed away last summer.  I just read his last book where he talks about preparing to die - a tough read, but so moving.  He was an amazing man (can you tell I'm inspired by his life's work?).  RIP Dr. Schreiber.  

http://www.anticancerbook.com/ 

video lecture:  Anti-cancer:  Explore A New Way of Life

Sherryc

dancetracer thanks for posting the video.  I read the book about 6 months ago and could not put it down.

SheriBell

Ok a new book for me to read too!  Thanks for the suggestion ladies!

littlejukie

Hello, I would like to know where you buy your products?  I have been concerned about parabens as well.

Thanks,

Julie