What is Wrong with this picture? I called,… I wrote… I went to the unemployment office… I made FRIENDS with these people from calling and writing so often! All of this, while trying to obtain my DRIVERS LICENSE, from being out of state! I'm not going to repeat that story- just believe my frustration level has reached new PEAKS!
I went, week 13, on a Monday morning, beaten down with clerical crap, tired, no hope… and just FED UP. After waiting for my turn in the never-ending line, I reached the clerk, and after reviewing my status, social security number, and lack of funds, he said to me, "You need to speak with a supervisor." I totally AGREED with him! 13 weeks??? R U KIDDING ME. I said, "OK, …where is he/she?" The response was, (with a chuckle…) " It's Monday!" I said, "Yeah? I'M HERE on a MONDAY?? Why isn't the Supervisor??" He politely, and I'll give him that- said, "If you wouldn't mind taking a seat, I'll see what I can do."
So I did.
Eventually they called me back to the 'the supervisor's office.' Whoa….You might as well have handed me both Dorothy's Red Shoes, and the Wicked Witch's Broom. I just didn't know what to expect, and there she was, sitting behind her BIG DESK, leaning back in her swivel chair,… just lookin' at me… sizing me up.
I sat down, and explained my situation. Thirteen weeks is a long time, to not receive unemployment when you are deserving of it, … no? She asked, "Did you do something to your employer that might have caused him/her to deny the claim?" I pictured in my head, my former employer looking like a large computer screen with buttons just waiting and deservedly so, to be pushed! But no… that is no reason to deny an unemployment claim. Absolutely Not… although the image, DID make me smile…!
I said, "No, there should be No reason in the world why this has not gone through. Possibly a clerical error?" She dug through the paperwork, and found- lo and behold, they had never responded to the claim. Imagine that…but, me, not being one to hold grudges, (until I see him face to face 
), asked her, while she was trying to rectify the situation,…"What do YOU, Ms. Head of Unemployment Charlotte, really want to do with YOUR life?
She answered without skipping a beat: "I want to be a travel agent! I Love to Travel!" I found this to be very interesting, considering I wasn't in the position to travel from Charlotte to Boone, until I collected this nonsense of a weekly paycheck. but I delved in deeper. "How long have you wanted to Do this, and how many more years do you have till retirement?" She answered and was Very forthcoming. "A few years left, and then I'm off to the Islands!"
I then noticed a glass globe on her desk… like a snow globe, and I picked it up, where she then said, "go ahead and shake it!" I did. Gold flickered in and out of the scenery inside the globe, which really caught my attention, because I love things that glitter. She told me it was gold leaf. I said, "Someone very special must have bought this for you," where she answered, "Yes, this is true. I Bought that for myself!" At this point, we were both smiling, her content with her dreams, and me, still unsure if my employer would contest the claim, …but I LIKED her, so it was a worthwhile visit. See how i roll?
She told me she'd keep an eye on my claim, and follow through on it. I then asked her, "within the bureau, do you ever look for motivational speakers, for instance someone that might be able to teach unemployed people, the art of 'reinvention? That there even IS sucha a thing?" She got up from behind her desk, literally took me by the hand and introduced me to a woman in charge of such groups! Unreal! I said my goodbye's to her- and began talking to the new girl. Walked out with a list of potential clients and two new friends. Not bad for a days business!
I decided to send the original woman a 'thank you' card, even though I still had no idea if the money was coming- but she was good to me. I personalized it, (in case you want to know how effective these cards are check out www.Sendoutcards.com/RobinMarshall) best marketing tool I've ever used- I mean 80% return PLUS the real sentiment of a card! I just LOVE them!
A week later, she called me! She couldn't stop thanking me for the card, saying, In Her line of work, no one EVER says 'thank you,' so this meant a lot to her. She then asked me, how's the case going? I said, "I received a letter that stated, I'm not NOT eligible, but what in the world does THAT mean??" She answered, "Give me your social!" I did- she typed it in the system, and Lo and Behold, she says to me, "Girl? You've been sitting with multiple thousands of dollars in your account since last Friday! Whatever we did, It WORKED!"
I just feel, if you ask people about themselves, and you genuinely want to know the answers, it makes them feel good about themeselves, and if they feel good about themselves, they'll feel good about You. Always Ask- but Always Care, about what someone has to say. They Matter!
Now? I'm just a little bit richer in the bank on a weekly basis, while I continue looking, but I'm a LOT richer with my new friend! I love when things are just 'meant to be!'
xoxoxox
Recent Comments