Okay so I’ve tried really hard to be upbeat for the last couple days both for my own sanity and also to make sure Ed doesn’t freak out and worry that we’ll soon be homeless, but today I am just plumb out of cheer.
I’ve always felt I was being screwed over at the Space Station, but now that I’m facing unemployment it’s become startlingly clear just how large a pickle I am now in.
Things weighing heavily on my mind:
- I don’t get a Record of Employment, as I wasn’t technically employed
- I wasn’t taxed, so I didn’t pay into EI
- They just gave me a new contract stating I’m a consultant who works when work is available and that I wasn’t ever an employee
- I’ve been removed from the support email group so I can’t help our clients or do any work (ie claim any hours)
- I’m the only one of the three people who were NOT made “real” employees who is not getting any work
- I’ve been applying for jobs left and right, but as true to my nature since I don’t have a job after two days of looking I am in full panic mode that I’ll never get another job
- I’m more like my mother than I thought – replace “job” with “apartment”, and I’m exhibiting the exact behaviour she demonstrated in May that had me so incredulous and baffled
- I don’t know what I’m going to do
- So I’m sitting here sobbing pathetically
- I miss my dad
- I both love and hate the month of September
Oh, hell. What am I going to do?
delicious juice dot com 
Sounds might fishy to me.
Since you seem to have nothing to lose in this department (I think – you may want to check with an employment lawyer first), you might want to check with Service Canada about the legalities of you saying “you weren’t an employee.” The nice thing about the law in that regard is that while you can sign paperwork to your (and your underhanded employer’s) heart’s content, you can’t actually sign away your rights.
If you have paystubs, copies of correspondance or anything of that sort, you can probably present that to Service Canada (formerly HRDC) who will slap the hands of your employers and perhaps get you some EI or something like it…
Man, do these guys have a lawyer of their own? Because everything they’re doing is just making it worse for themselves – you can’t sign away your rights, and making you try is just an example of bad-faith dealings on their part.
Go to a lawyer who specializes in employment law. It might cost a bit up front, but seriously, do it. They’re very in the wrong here, and their attempt at constructive dismissal -making the work so shitty that you’ll quit – is another example of bad faith. Sue the bastards. (Also, you can still drop a dime to Revenue Canada, and you should do that, too).
Kimli,
I’ve pointed you here before: http://www.labour.gov.bc.ca/esb/facshts/employee.htm
Please go there again. Pick up the phone, call the Employment Standards Branch in Burnaby (number here: http://www.labour.gov.bc.ca/esb/contact/branch.htm), and make an appointment to see a representative.
They can not do this to you legally. So the only thing you have to overcome is your fear of rocking the boat. Don’t let them win. You have nothing to lose because you have nothing left. Please just call them…do it…now…well, tomorrow when they open. :-)
Disclaimer: I am an HR professional and I know that of which I speak. Email me if you want additional info or help. :-)
Ditto to dearheart!
First, rejoice because your Mom gave you that little slice of the house sale to pay off bills… the rest of us can only wish of such luck, or wait for that lottery ticket to fall into our hands.
Then, go back and re-read the blog when this all started. You were screwed over then, and the rest is just icing…err… deoderant. I’ve been forced into the “contract consultant” status once ever, never again. I quit, and despite being ancient, was working for better money the very next working day. With benefits! Yah for benefits!
I have another part-time gig as a consulant, for the last 4 years, and it was my choice, and it’s a great income supplement, and looks just great on a resume. You’ve already been filing out the forms.. the key one is your Federal Tax number, but provincial & regional district permits are useful.
After you get a real day job, with benefits, keep up your contract consultant work, as you can save money on taxes big time with legal deductions for your operating expenses. Get a regular gig, and down the road, if you tire of it, you can actually sell the consultancy to someone else and buy more toys… after taxes.
There’s better reasons for tears… don’t waste them on this crap.
Ken
Kimli, get a lawyer. Get a lawyer, get a lawyer, get a lawyer. Get Thee to a
NunneryLawyery! Let that person rock the boat. You are being mistreated, and you’ve been mistreated for so long that you no longer have any energy to fight this. Hire Ye a Gun. Seriously.I also ditto Dearheart… Sorry I haven’t been by here in a bit. If you are working full time hours in their office, you were in fact, an employee. But, I guess you know that now that you’ve been to that official place. I can’t believe they did this to you.
I have to be very careful how I hire consultants here at my office, for this very reason. If they are using our equipment, and in-house full time, they can’t be considered contractors by law.
Best of luck with your battle. I know you’ll prevail! If you need some off-blog support, or an ear, I’m always here my dear!
Hugs…