End of an Era

An era is defined as:

1. A long and distinct period of history with a particular feature or characteristic.
2. A system of chronology dating from a particular noteworthy event.

I finished work today for the last time and to me this is the end of an era. Over the past 37 months I have gotten to know some wonderful people; I have also gotten to know some people who I would rather not have met. To me leaving work today for the last and final time is the end of an era.

I, along with a few others are moving on to other things, hopefully bigger and better but who knows. The many people I have worked with over the years I have to say I will miss greatly. They are like family. We spend more time together than we do with out families and have over time all taken roles to fit a family life; even if these roles are not the same with every person.

I have been the youngest in the company since I started and to a few people have taken on a daughter type role, in other words even though I don't act like a daughter they are as protective over me as parents, which I have to say has been annoying sometimes.

I've had arguments with almost everyone there, and with 2 people in particular, but as I see it all families have arguments, we can't all get along all of the time.

Even though we have had our disagreements I have the utmost respect for these people and I always will. They have been brilliant colleagues and fantastic friends. These people are irreplaceable.

This afternoon was great, we all went to the pub and have spent the afternoon drinking and having a laugh with each other. All differences have been put aside and we have just gone and enjoyed ourselves. I was the first to leave the pub as I needed to be home and finish packing for my move tomorrow but I really didn't want to leave the pub. I wanted to spend as much time with my colleagues as possible; maybe thinking that if the day didn't end then the fact I may never see them again wasn't real. Unfortunately I think it has really only just hit me that it is real, and I won't see most of these people again. Some of them I have as friends on Facebook, others I don't but I will be trying to stay in touch with everyone.

I know I'm not the most popular person, and I have a strange personality but I do hope that these people stay in touch and we do stay friends. I am like marmite, people either love me or hate me, unfortunately most people seem to hate me, but I'm not changing my personality for others.

Anyway, back to the point. I will miss everyone dearly and I do hope they all find something they enjoy soon. 

Thank you Liz, John, Mike, Sally, Jane, Shauna, Kim, Lee, Robin, Vicky, Steve B, Steve K, Roy, Dannii, Martin and everyone else for putting up with me all of this time.

This really is the end of an era for me.

Unemployment and free labour

In my previous rant/blog I posted about the job centre wanting people to work full time jobs for free - if you haven't read this article you can read it here.
I sat on the train on Friday evening heading up North like I do most weekends and I sat and read the Metro. I came across a great article which proved my point exactly.

My previous blog about unemployment and working for free was really just showing an argument between myself and some moron who didn't have a clue what he was talking about. I can understand different views but this I really feel strongly about.

The story I read as about Tesco, a big corporate store that is known nationwide. This food store (which now sells everything from clothes to computers) was advertising for full time workers to work the night shift for no more money than benefits. The advert stated the employee would only get travel and child care expenses paid.

In case you cannot see the picture clear enough here is a written version of the brief article.

'Tesco has been attackedo on Twitter after advertising for a permanent night worker to be paid expenses on top of their Jobseeker's Allowance.

The supermarket giant was criticised on the day it was revealed British unemployment rose to 2.67 million in the three months to December.
One tweet read: 'I will not buy another item from you until you abandon workfare slavery'.

Tesco's Facebook page was flooded with comments, such as 'Don't expect free labour from the taxpayer, you leeches'.

Tesco claimed the Jobcentre Plus post was 'a mistake caused by an IT error'.

David Nieberg, a spokesman for the supermarket, said the advert was for an intern and part of the government's 'work-for-your benefits' programme that sees Jobcentre Plus match 18 to 24 year olds to companies to help them find jobs.

Joanna Long, Boycott Workfare spokeswoman, said: 'What the DWP calls work experience is forced unpaid labour.'

In August, Tesco admitted to hiring 3,000 jobseekers. 'So far, 300 young people have gone on to get permanent employment,' added Mr Nieberg.

So if Tesco are doing this, advertising positions like the night worker one then how many other companies are doing the same, taking advantage of the unemployed and of the government? Tesco was caught out this time but how many of the 3000 that they have hired have been employed this way through the 'work-for-your benefits' programme?

We should not allow this to go on, and we should not stand for the abuse of the unemployed. I myself am not unemployed but I could be. I was made redundant but found a job straight away so I'm lucky, but these people who have lost jobs etc. should not be made to work for nothing!

Unemployment and free labour

In my previous rant/blog I posted about the job centre wanting people to work full time jobs for free - if you haven't read this article you can read it here.
I sat on the train on Friday evening heading up North like I do most weekends and I sat and read the Metro. I came across a great article which proved my point exactly.

My previous blog about unemployment and working for free was really just showing an argument between myself and some moron who didn't have a clue what he was talking about. I can understand different views but this I really feel strongly about.

The story I read as about Tesco, a big corporate store that is known nationwide. This food store (which now sells everything from clothes to computers) was advertising for full time workers to work the night shift for no more money than benefits. The advert stated the employee would only get travel and child care expenses paid.
In case you cannot see the picture clear enough here is a written version of the brief article.

'Tesco has been attackedo n Twitter after advertising for a permanent night worker to be paid expenses on top of their Jobseeker's Allowance.
The supermarket giant was criticised on the day it was revealed British unemployment rose to 2.67 million in the three months to December.
One tweet read: 'I will not buy another item from you until you abandon workfare slavery'.
Tesco's Facebook page was flooded with comments, such as 'Don't expect free labour from the taxpayer, you leeches'.
Tesco claimed the Jobcentre Plus post was 'a mistake caused by an IT error'.
David Nieberg, a spokesman for the supermarket, said the advert was for an intern and part of the government's 'work-for-your benefits' programme that sees Jobcentre Plus match 18 to 24 year olds to companies to help them find jobs.
Joanna Long, Boycott Workfare spokeswoman, said: 'What the DWP calls work experience is forced unpaid labour.'
In August, Tesco admitted to hiring 3,000 jobseekers. 'So far, 300 young people have gone on to get permanent employment,' added Mr Nieberg.

So if Tesco are doing this, advertising positions like the night worker one then how many other companies are doing the same, taking advantage of the unemployed and of the government? Tesco was caught out this time but how many of the 3000 that they have hired have been employed this way through the 'work-for-your benefits' programme?

We should not allow this to go on, and we should not stand for the abuse of the unemployed. I myself am not unemployed but I could be. I was made redundant but found a job straight away so I'm lucky, but these people who have lost jobs etc. should not be made to work for nothing!

I actually hate the human race

I have had a bad enough year as it is without people screwing me around.

With the lack of job and needing to move I'm having to sell a lot of stuff, like my sofa, bed, tv etc. I've had everything up on gumtree, stuff4sale and even ebay but nothing.

I've had someone today call me and wanting my sofa, I even put the price down for a quick sale. They said it was a definite and to take it off the websites. I did as they asked seeing as I was selling it. Getting home I tidied a bit and sorted it out so that I could move the sofa out. Turning to 7pm they text, no longer interested in the sofa.

Now I've had to put it back up online for sale.

This was just the cherry on top of the horrible day I've had. At work we got an email message from the company who took over. The message lied, and yet again they have pushed the date further back. We all know we are losing our jobs as they are closing the office yet they won't get on with things and actually give us our redundancy dates. The tenancy on the building runs out in less than a month, some peoples notice periods are 12 weeks, of course they won't be able to work them but they will have to be paid for them.

I need to give notice of my flat in by the 31st January so I do hope they give us notice before then so I can hand the notice in.

I've got so much to do in preparation for moving. I haven't even got any boxes for packing yet. One of  the girls at work said she will give me some but I need them yesterday, I want to get everything I'm keeping packed so then I know what I'm getting rid of.

Looks like a lot of things will be going to charity shop very soon.... I will miss all of my teddies, some I've had since I was a kid and now they've having to go.

Oh well enough ranting and raving, I had better get on with the job hunt, as well as getting showered and finding something to eat.

Things possibly on the up

Well I've had no luck on the job front, we still don't know the exact date we get made redundant as they keep pushing it back further and further but there is a plus side. I got home from work today, put the shopping away that I got on the way home, put the boxes to the side ready for packing tomorrow and I've sat on the sofa feeling very chilled and relaxed.

We left work early today as they said it had been a very tough week for all of us, with the new company being in the office and us being interviewed by them. That was the most nerve racking thing ever, but they are back next Thursday. I don't expect to be told then either but it is buying us more time, therefore more money; on the downside we're nervous all the time and the waiting is killing me.

I got home to a letter from the landlord, which I find is never good but it was just to advise that the lock had been changed on the back door.
I also received my water bill. It's not the lowest it's ever been but it is a lot lower than I was expecting, so it gives me an extra few pennies to spend this month.... or should I say save.

I have paid that and decided that I deserve a treat. Rather than alcohol as usual I've gone for a tub of ice cream. A girl cannot go wrong with ice cream.

I hope things are on the up from now on. I hope that I get one of the many many jobs I have applied for and I hope I get one soon.

Fingers crossed I win the euro-millions tonight, or at least enough to get me by for a while. Hopefully my good luck teddy the my OH got me will bring me some luck.