What Happens Next?

As you know if you read my previous blog entry, I was recently fired from my job. I’ve had several people (friends, family, co-workers & even total strangers) contact me through various channels to show their support. There are some people that may not realize the importance of what’s happening here but the vast majority of people that I’ve been in contact with are all but demanding that I take this as far as I can. I intend to because I’m a man of principle. I’m going to continue on in the same spirit that I exhibited in the workplace. If I see something that’s wrong, I’m going to do something about it & if you get in my way, you’re likely going to look like an idiot before it’s through. I think that many of you realize that if this can happen to me, it can happen to you. No one is safe. It doesn’t matter how hard you work, who you’re friends with or how much ass you kiss. If they want to get rid of you, it’s only a matter of time. Some people would just brush it off & move on. I intend to, but not before I make my best attempt to right a wrong. Many of you have asked me what I intend to do next. I previously stated that I’m “exploring my options” & that’s true.

I called the corporate office today to request a “Peer Review”. If you’re not familiar with this process, it’s simply a panel of your “peers” that meet with you to discuss whether or not you should’ve been fired. I’m currently waiting to see if my request will be approved. My manager has already stated that he’ll likely be on the panel & will be against me. He & his friends better do their research because I’m coming prepared. I’m not going to get on my knees & beg for my job back. I’m a bit overqualified for the position in the first place. Instead, I’m going to teach them a thing or 2 about ethics, integrity & logic. May the best man (me) win. If they’re smart enough to offer me my job back, I’ll consider it, but in the end I have to decide whether or not I want to work for a company that treats their employees in this manner.

I also applied for “unemployment insurance” today. I hope that I don’t need to use this system but with the unemployment rate as high as it is I’m not going to take any chances. I obviously won’t make as much as I did when I was working, but between that & my wife’s paycheck, we should be able to get by just fine. Hopefully my former employer won’t fight me on this like they have with so many people before me, because they’ll lose. I guarantee it.

I’ve been planning to go back to school for quite some time. I was intending to utilize my former employer’s tuition reimbursement plan but it’s looking like that may not happen now. However, I’ve been reading all of the tuition assistance documentation on the FAFSA website & if all goes well, I’ll be a full-time student again next August. I’m looking at both the University of Louisville & Sullivan University. I have an Associates Degree in Applied Science (Computer Programming) but hope to get my Bachelor's Degree in the same field.

My wife & I are also toying around with the idea of starting our own business. She’s wanted to open her own restaurant for quite some time (she’s become quite the cook) & I’ve had various other ideas of my own (computers, photography, programming or web-design). This may end up being the perfect opportunity for us to do something like this.