Back to Square One Again!
I lost my job last month after the manufacturing company I was working for decided to restructure their US plants and moved our assembly division back to Germany. Losing my job was a major blow for my wife and I. She’s been out of work for a few years for health reason but somehow we found a way to manage living on one income. The biggest loss for us is the health insurance coverage. The company agreed to extend our coverage for another 60 days, after that we’re on our own. I think we could stretch out the compensation money for a few months while I look for another job as long as I can find another affordable health insurance alternative. I started job hunting online this week but the employment prospects for assembly workers looks bleak in this area. All the openings are either in convenient stores or manufacturing jobs through temp agencies. I haven’t been able to find any manufacturing companies doing direct hiring since I started searching. My concern is not so much with the starting pay but the benefits. Should I risk getting my foot in the door through a temp agency or look for another career altogether? My goal is to find a full time job within 60 days before my insurance coverage runs out. Any suggestions.
I lost my job a year ago after a semi-conductor plant closure. I worked there for 21 years and after schooling, selling my house and moving back in with the "folks", I have found nothing even close to what I was making. I am on Medicaid right now. I haven't been to a doctor but it is free. (Sorry, folks....been working for 40 years and need some help now). Temp agencies are great but I would suggest a head hunter. You should be eligible for unemployment but I wouldn't throw in the towel until you try other possibilities. Update your resume on LinkedIn and other websites. Good Luck!
Don't give up, work is out there for you. I will pray that something comes thru.
I'm in the same boat, was the only fleet mechanic at a preform concrete company when on, of all dates Fri 13th, got called into the maintenance office. At that point I know after 20+ yrs experience isn't always a good thing, the GM, HR and service managers were there to inform me that affective immediately all fleet maintenance was going to be out sorced. Being 50+ and getting tossed back into the hunt is other than fun. One would think that with over 20 yrs experience it would be not very difficult to gain employment in the career field worked in but not so much. After a month I'm going stir crazy. Not being the primary supporter is very stressful and being a cancer survivor I still have doctor appointments. I need but insurance runs.out after June.
Join the army when all is lost they will help u...
Keith, if your only concern is insurance coverage until you land another full time job then Cobra might not be for you. Cobra coverage extends your benefits up to 36 months from termination however the premium you would be paying is far greater than your employer sponsored benefits. Your company might not be as generous as they are having you believe. You have 60 days from the date of the qualifying event to apply for Cobra. Some insurance contracts terminate midnight of the employee's final day, some terminate at the end of the month, some will terminate at the end of a quarter and some have specific termination dates (it depends on the employer's contract with the insurance company and if a collective bargaining agreement is in place). You would do better to go to the insurance market place and apply there. You will be directed to insurance companies who write business in your state and your income will determine if your state can partially or fully subsidize the premium. It's one less thing to worry about so you can concentrate on your job search. I wish you well.
Look inside your packet for information on Cobra coverage after your insurance expires. It's not the most affordable option but it might be an option if you can't find another job in that time. There's been tons of buzz in the media this election year about bringing back manufacturing jobs but unfortunately that's just politicians trying to keep the American workers hopes up until election day. I recommend building new skills in another industry.
Hi Keith, I would definitely try with the temp agencies! Some of the jobs they have may be temp to perm, or they may even have permanent full-time jobs they're trying to fill. You never know until you give them a shot!!! Good luck! I'm sorry you've been put in this position.
Would it make sense to take the #entrepreneur route as to ensure that your business never leaves?