Well, I'm Gone

Joined: 04 Jul 2003 Posts: 2078

Just the latest...I am no longer employed by SHLD. At least they won't contest my unemployment compensation. I'll still lurk around to see what's going on. I don't think SHLD will be around much longer anyway.

Joined: 23 May 2008 Posts: 322

Do you mind sharing how long you worked for Sears?

What department?

Reason for leaving? Did you quit or did they fire you?

I am sure your life will be more stress free without this company.

Will you ever shop with this company again?

Joined: 28 Apr 2005 Posts: 2073

Did they get you on some trivial violation, or just wear you down with the constant BS? Keep looking forward. It may be a challenge right now, but you'll be better off in the long run. And it's far better to watch the decline of Sears from a distance.

Joined: 06 Jul 2003 Posts: 8212 Location: Central CA

I would love to know more details USA, if you care to share them with us. They aren't contesting your unemployment so it really doesn't look like there's any "for cause" thing going on... I believe you had 17-18 years in? At your age that's pretty much most of your whole adult life.

No matter what excuse they give, I have a feeling you're just another "enhancement to shareholder value" and I for one am getting damned sick and tired of the damned institutional shareholders being the foundation of this country instead of the workers. How the hell did this particular tail get control of the dog anyway???

I wish you nothing but the best and I do expect to see you here. Let us know how you're doing... and you have my email. Any time.

Joined: 04 Jul 2003 Posts: 2078

I will say this...I did get fired but for something that was petty and trivial, to me anyway. I am, er, was a long term employee who gave 100% into my job and was there everyday. There are some people that I will miss and hope to keep in contact with some of them. I can file for unemployment, so that will help. As for the stress? The last few months, for me, have been very stressful and it does not help with the holidays around the corner, but who knows. I just might be better off in the long run.

Oh, and if anybody has any tips on finding a job, please feel free to say so.

Joined: 03 Mar 2005 Posts: 1569 Location: Michigan

Sorry to hear that, USA. Know all TOO MANY folks from the Kmart side who were canned for downright stupid and petty reasons, all the while the "pets" get passes for just about anything. Suck some management ass or pal-around with 'em, and you're good as golden. And don't worry about actually doing work or being reliable -- those important traits aren't possible, since they're too busy constantly cleaning their nose to look like another face in the crowd. Reverse-discrimination can factor in as well, I've seen it happen.

Don't constantly beat yourself up over this, because you will be tempted to. For once, you will be able to truly take time and smell the roses. You'll enjoy even the smallest things like coffee and the morning paper without the rush or thinking about what lurks for you in the workplace.

Sure, unemployment is not the best situation to be in, and even more so currently. You'll actually learn to make it, just by making new decisions with a different vision. Little adjustments can mean living close to the way you were while you were employed. It's not the end of the world.

But now you can look towards the future with different eyes. Enjoy the time off, because it's been my experience, personally, from others' statements, and from our forum family here, that being away from Sears/SHC can be a very beneficial thing.

Joined: 04 Jul 2003 Posts: 2078

Thanks, jb. Kind words. Its just that I've had other issues as well and I am trying to take care of them. Smile

Joined: 15 Jan 2006 Posts: 112

Joined: 04 Jul 2003 Posts: 2078

Yes it does SearLongAgo. I put in almost 18 years and its basically the only job I've had since getting out of school. I did hold a few temp. jobs before landing at Sears. Honestly, I don't know what to say to the hiring companies when asked about being fired. Confused

Joined: 23 May 2008 Posts: 322

Now might be the perfect time to think about pursuing an education in something more lucrative than retail - there is always healthcare fields hiring - when your income is really low (though at Sears it always was) - you might qualify for all kinds of grants and student loans.

Good luck!

Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 12:38 am Post subject:

sigh, you get fired over something trivial (and probably something stupid) and the clowns that load the trucks in a way that will end up killing someone one of these days get to keep theirs Doh!

ah well try to enjoy the lack of stress for a while and then good luck on finding a new job

Joined: 22 Jan 2009 Posts: 4

Been here over 30 years and stuck like everyone else but sorry to hear bout your dismissal.You have my respect as everyone else who works or have worked for this place.Best of luck.

Joined: 04 Jul 2003 Posts: 2078

Joined: 18 Aug 2006 Posts: 56

Hey USA#1 - best of luck. Almost anywhere you end up will be better. In reading your posts in the past, it's obvious you worked in a SEARS RRC; I'm guessing 447 Garland. We may have actually met or known each other years ago. Please be aware, that what so many have said here is true - there is a better life without SHLD.

Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 2:30 am Post subject:

any truth to the rumor that once a month there's drunk and blindfolded day?
seems to happen just after we send pics of a semi unsafe load to the DC

Joined: 04 Jul 2003 Posts: 2078

Stosh, I will not say which RRC I worked at on this forum but if you check your pm's, I'll tell you there. I just do hope there are better options out there and already checking into those options.

Joined: 08 Jul 2003 Posts: 6045

Sorry to hear they iced ya but the fact that they won't fight unemployment is good.

Some of the things you can do to find a job includes working on your resume and be prepared to write different cover letters for different jobs. Work on your wording of your job description/responsibilities so applications will go faster and you have the wording and grammar smoothed out. Contact all your references and make sure they know you're looking. There might even be a Sears supervisor let alone a fellow employee that might vouch for you-check descretely.

And like Luis said consider MORE education even if it's adult continuing education courses in a different field. Don't be afraid to apply part-time just to get in somewhere. But you are not even in the game or under consideration if you are not applying somewhere. Depending on the job your resume might not even have to be ready. In otherwords start applying as soon as possible.

Also if nothing else you can try job fairs to sharpen your interviewing skill or even your resume and/or job application wording. You'll can also learn EXACTLY what employers are looking for.

If you need the cash it might pay to cash in part of your lump sum ( will you still get one if terminated for unused vac time,401k and pension benefits ?). But start a 401K or IRA up again as soon as you have the money.

GOOD LUCK! HANG IN THERE!

Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 4:38 am Post subject:

So this is the way the "Holdings Corp" respects it's long time vets. Disgusting.

USA is no fool. Smart kid. When the dust settles I'm sure she will be alright.

When you think about it we should be saying congratulations! All the best USA. ~GoodFella

Joined: 04 Jul 2003 Posts: 2078

Thanks everyone. Some good advise posted here. DR, I do have some money coming and it will help some. Its just a matter of getting it, and you know how they are with that mess. GF, I'll be fine. Getting a hold of a couple of people who will vouch for my character. Thumbs Up

Joined: 05 Jul 2008 Posts: 151

USA #1, I have watched many of my long-term friends and co-workers get terminated. One of my friends was fired for asking the store manager to go over their evaluation. The store manager actually wrote that on the termination. The softlines manager wanted to give the review of a hardlines overnight lead. They were awarded unemployment and this person did move on an secure employment with a stronger company.

I left on my own but even so, I would not trust one member of current management, if someone would call them for a reference. ( I know they are suppose to say little and are suppose to say yes, we would rehire or no we would not, but I have seen the opposite occur) I still had contact with some of my older managers, who I had worked under for years, and I asked them if I could use them as a reference and all said yes. They are no longer with the company and some even have offered employment through their new companies. So let people know who are in positions to hire you know, you are looking for work. Call old contacts.

As far as being fired, the company has a poisoned reputation and many employers are well aware what has been going on with many of the employees. They have been dismissing people left and right and have lost credibility as a strong employer. I would not lie on an application but I would not offer up too much information. Once you are in an interview you feel is going well, and if asked, that is the time to speak about your separation. No matter how tempted, do not speak negatively about Sears (and I know that is hard).

I wish you the best of luck and know from experience that you will feel better as you get on with your life. One lesson learned from the whole experience is how not to treat people.

Joined: 28 Apr 2005 Posts: 2073

Joined: 04 Jul 2003 Posts: 2078

bubbdog and allhands, great advice. Thanks. It just troubles me that all this is going on. The stress out there in the field is incredible for everyone. I do need to try to get ahold of someone that I know would give me a good reference but this person lives in another part of the country and I doubt that potential employers would want to make those long distance calls.

Thanks again everyone for the advice. Smile

Joined: 08 Mar 2005 Posts: 115

Joined: 08 Jul 2003 Posts: 6045

Being fired with uncontested unemployment might be a good thing.

Curious USA when they fired or terminated you did they say we'll have to let you go OR because you did this we are firing you ?

Reason I ask I noticed you had 18 years ? -danger zone , you're are approaching the 20 year mark with your grandfathered pension. That would be a possible lawsuit.

They might not have contested the unemployment as an olive branch or bribe not to sue for any type of discrimination. They might have verbally told you one thing and might have written something else down for the record. There's a reason they're not contesting unemployment and it ain't compassion.

A potential employer would see your 18 years with Sears which is good but they will want to know why you left. You could word it as ' let go '. Verbally I think you could admit it because you can explain but on paper you have to be honest but vague. In a better economy with your 18 years that wouldn't be a problem. I know people fired at Sears who literally walked across the street to the local Home Depot and were hired( this person has been known to push the boundries of honesty at times).

If you violated procedure and there wasn't theft or stealing involved that's a plus too not that any of that is good. You could say 'procedure violation' and could verbally elaborate why you think you were fired-downsizing in reality.

Be very carefull what you put down because alot of employers use background checking companies/services and your application information goes into a data base which someone else might use so get your story straight/be honest.

I would just go ahead with blunt honesty. Don't lie but give as little information as possible about the termination unless asked. We had CAC lead fired for theft. She went out the next day and got hired by Lowes I think it was. A month or two later they found out she was fired: apparently she thought getting a job right away would keep her ahead of the Sears paperwork. She was fired again. Ironically she is working in a job today that requires money handling.

One last thing, many employers ask "Are you currently on unemployment?" Answer yes(once you have collected-you want it documented that you actually collected unemployment), that is good because many employers get tax breaks for taking people off the welfare and unemployment rolls. They'd rather have the tax break than the "ideal" candidate-not saying you're not a good applicant.

Whew,you are in a pickle but hang in there and Good Luck again.

Joined: 28 Jan 2009 Posts: 7

I know how you feel. I got let go after 22 years! 1 year before I could retire. I now work for a retail company that actually respects their employees and gives benefits and dare I say, respect? I am so much happier than the stress and depressed world of Sears. When a company is going down it is a horrible place to work and Sears IS going down. Take care and Know that there are better places to work.

	Forum Index -> Sears Holding Corporation / Sears Canada	All times are GMT Goto page 1, 2 Next
Page 1 of 2