I Got A JOB Today....Thank You President Obama(This was the original story...now below, here is the end result...should not have been so-excited, I guess)
Fri Mar 26, 2010 at 12:37:07 AM PDT
It is temporary but it is a GREAT HELP as my unemployment checks are ending next week....a 99 weeker. I have been trying to find employment and have found temporary employment here and there. This is temporary too but I am SO EXCITED about this one...working for the U.S. 2010 Census............
Excited about working for the upcoming U.S. Census as a Temporary Enumerator, I reported to work on Monday, April 5, 2010 as scheduled. Over the weekend, I had the unfortunate luck of catching a virus bug, that have been affecting many in the Washtenaw County (MI) area within the last three weeks.
The job with the U.S. Census was welcomed news. As an Unemployed "99-Week-er", my State of Michigan Unemployment Benefits expired the week of April 2, 2010. I looked forward to this job as a bridge, to have an opportunity for possible permanent Federal Employment or, as a stop-loss gap until I could obtain other permanent employment with another employer.
When the virus bug hit me last Friday, I took major measures over the weekend in a effort to ensure that it did not get any worse. Tylenol, Theraflu, Green Tea with Lemon and plenty of rest over the weekend, I believed would do the trick to have me back to reasonable health on Monday. Little did I know, my troubles were just beginning.
I reported to work on Monday, April 5, 2010, full of congestion, but reasonably stable to work. It did turned out the continuing cough I had, contained droplets of the virus that were still contagious to others as well as myself.
The next day, Tuesday April 6, 2010, I started having problems with my left eye that caused me to leave work, 6 hours into a 7.45 hour day of work. I was told by the crew leader, Alexander Mane, that I would probably not have an continuing opportunity to work for the U.S. Census as a temporary Enumerator, because I would miss the last 1 hour and 45 minutes of training. This was confusing to me as I was willing to catch up on training time missed, unpaid if necessary. He informed me that he was not sure if this would be an option. He did tell me that I would get a return call on my status with the U.S. Census from him, which never came.
Upset and disappointed, upon arriving home, I did place a call to the Field Operators Supervisor for the Livonia, MI Local Census Operations Office-Kim Ryan, who informed me that she did not have the time to deal with my issue. I explained to her my situation anyway, and she stated in just, I needed to return to work, tomorrow April 7, 2010.
I made a same day appointment at my local doctors' office, who informed me that I had Bacterial Conjunctivitis-"Pink-Eye" in my left eye. He also, informed me that it was highly possible that the virus over the weekend with the coughing associated with it, caused the infection to happen in my left eye.
Bacterial Conjunctivitis is very contagious within the first 24 hours after diagnosis. The doctor informed me that with this situation, I would have to let the medication settle within my eye for a entire day, then return to work on Thursday.
I took the Work Excuse Documentation into Mr. Mane on Thursday, April 7, 2010, at 8:30 AM. At this point, he informed me that I would probably not be working for the U.S. Census Temporary Enumerator Operations at this time but, he would call me after a talk with his supervisor. I never received a call from Mr. Mane again, and since I did not have any other contact numbers but Ms. Ryan's (who clearly stated on Tuesday April 6, 2010, that she did not want to deal with "this") I reported to work, as scheduled on Thursday, April 8, 2010.
On Thursday, April 8, 2010, I was told by Mr. Mane that there was no more work for me, since I had missed training. I called his supervisor (after obtaining his number from Mr. Mane) Matt Krasis -Assistant Manager for Field Operations at the Livonia, Michigan Local Census Office, and was told a similar statement.
This situation and how it has been "handled" by the Livonia, Michigan Local Census Office Officials, has been extremely unprofessional, rude and frankly insulting. As a person with a clear medical issue, with documentation, there is no good reason why I should not be allowed to catch-up with one day and 1 hour & 45 minutes worth of missed training.
As I informed Mr. Mane, Mr Krasis and Ms. Ryan, I would be willing to take any missed classes over the weekend on my on time unpaid, if necessary. After losing my Unemployment Benefits, with no extension in sight, I clearly needed this temporary employment to provide necessary income for both myself and my family. Unfortunately, for me, I had turned down another temporary opportunity last week to have the opportunity to earn the $16.00 per hour that I would have received, working for the U.S. Census.
I believe that this story needs to be told as this could truly affect others that take Temporary U.S. Census Employment opportunities that have the unfortunate luck of becoming sick. I would suggest after this experience, that they seek other employment opportunities.
In closing, I am still looking for work (hopefully soon), back unemployed and with no income. If you know of ANY reasonable employment opportunities in the Southeastern Michigan area, feel free to contact me. Thanks, so much!