Since I lost my job, I have been trying to make positive changes in my life. I have continued writing for American Fitness Magazine. I have written two children's books and am looking for a publisher or literary agent for both. Readers, let me know if you can suggest a publisher or agent for me.
I tried to find a lawyer. I contacted my state Bar Association and several lawyers. None was willing to take my case or give me legal advice. Most lawyers in my state do not handle employment law.
I was employed at will at the job I lost. Employment at will is an inherently flawed concept. Under this doctrine, an employer can terminate an employee for any or no reason, and there is nothing the employee can do about it. However, under the concept of dismissal for just cause, an employer can terminate an employee only for just cause, meaning a good reason. The employee has the option of securing legal representation and locating witnesses. There must be a hearing, and both sides must have opportunities to speak. Had I been employed under the doctrine of just cause, I would have been able to keep my job because there were no grounds to dismiss me. In addition, because many of my co-workers did not want to see me leave, I could have had many witnesses to defend me.
After spending 20 months being unemployed and making more than 150 contacts, I found a job as an adjunct professor of nutrition at a local college. Because I love teaching at the college level and want to keep my current job, I am pursuing further education. I enrolled in an online university and am currently pursuing a Doctor of Education degree. I am also a blogger on Tumblr; visit my blog here: http://wvhootowl2014.tumblr.com/
In addition, I am an Amazon associate. I have posted the links to several products on my blog, where I receive 6% commission on each purchase. I have several products for sale and hope to add more products.
I have been trying very hard to rebuild my life. I am not asking taxpayers to take care of me. I would like to see some changes in employment laws. I think that policies of noncompetition should be limited in duration and scope, if not abolished. I think if an employer lays off an employee, the employee should receive pay for unused vacation days (I lost 10 vacation days). The employer should pay severance pay to the employee. When I asked for severance pay, my employer told me that she did not pay severance pay. I think employers should pay at least part of a prospective employee's moving expenses. I also think employers should be encouraged to hire local, qualified people.
Please do not say I am not willing to work. Nothing could be further from the truth.