Flare Sci-Fi Forums: A Monkeywrench in the Machine of Life

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Posted by Tahna Los (Member # 33) on :

This morning, I was called into my Boss's office and was handed my termination papers. Officially, I am being laid off.

This does not come as a surprise to me. I handle correspondence between my employer and a client in the States. A few months ago, that client was bought up by a much bigger company. Since then work from that client has dwindled to almost nothing. Disputes over payment for work completed are almost on a daily basis.

Our contract with that company was terminated over the weekend. I have been given two weeks notice, so all is not lost, yet.

Off I go, watch my smoke......

Posted by Jay the Obscure (Member # 19) on :

Sorry to hear that. That sucks big time.

Posted by Tahna Los (Member # 33) on :

Well, I've spent some time assessing my situation.

I have about $1000 in a fund that should help pay for some of the expenses.

Because I have been working for the same company for the last 1.5 years, I am eligible for Employment insurance. It appears that for the next few months, I am eligible to receive what amounts to be 55% of my weekly salary. That's about $190 a week, making it about $760 a month. I do not know if taxes are further deducted from this amount, I sure hope not. Rent and other associated expenses are set to swallow more than $500 a month. Thus, I have got to tread carefully.

After some poking around, I have found several possible options if looking for a job fails to yield any tangible results:

The College I graduated from offers a Co-Op program that will place me with a company providing a related discipline in order for me to get some real life experience. Unfortunately, I do not get paid for my time there. There are questions as to whether or not associated expenses such as lunch and transportation are covered. I need to speak with the Placement coordinator about this.
I found out about a company seeking volunteers to test out a game. A possibility right there. And they would be willing to write me a letter of reference provided everything goes well.
I could do some freelance work fixing some computer problems, but I really do not know if it is feasible. After all, I was unable to fix my roommate's DSL connection.
Someone told me about a pharmaceutical company seeking volunteers to test out some medications. No details are available yet, but I have been told that these are very mild medications for more common ailments and nutritional supplements. I've also been told that compensation is very generous, about $4200. Worth checking out for the money, but I'm a little squeamish about being a Human Guinea Pig.

I'll have to see what goes on. Living alone and not working does not simple a life make.

Posted by Malnurtured Snay (Member # 411) on :

Sure don't. Best o' luck, Tahna.

Posted by Kosh (Member # 167) on :

quote:

Someone told me about a pharmaceutical company seeking volunteers to test out some medications. No details are available yet, but I have been told that these are very mild medications for more common ailments and nutritional supplements. I've also been told that compensation is very generous, about $4200. Worth checking out for the money, but I'm a little squeamish about being a Human Guinea Pig.

Skip that one. How would you like to have been one of the test subjects for the two Phen Phen drugs. Lawyers are having a field day now.

If I recall corectly, you live in Canada.
They don't with hold taxes on unemployment insurence here in the USA, but I don't know about Canada.

[Cool]

Posted by The_Tom (Member # 38) on :

I'm pretty sure you'd fall below the minimum line, Tahna, and pay no income tax.

Posted by Tahna Los (Member # 33) on :

Kosh: I don't know much about it. My friend says it is almost harmless. We're talking about simple drugs, not antibiotics and the Anthrax vaccine. They ask volunteers to undergo a medical regimen in order to know the effects of the drug and blah blah. Don't get me wrong, I don't like the idea, but I'm strapped for cash.

Tom: No I don't. Because I was in full time evening school last year, the tax credit basically gives me all my taxes back. As a result, I had the option of paying no tax deduction, which I did. That's all I'll be able to get.

Posted by David Templar (Member # 580) on :

Hey, if you're lucky, you end up in the control group. Placebos-R-Us.