Salvation Army, that most Xtian of companies, just fired all their employees via conference call.

[TXPaganBanker]

Last edited Wed Apr 1, 2020, 05:20 PM - Edit history (1)

My fiancee got a notice of a mandatory conference call at 10:55, call scheduled for 11:00. No one could get on the call. 20 minutes later, she got an email with this:

NOTICE OF TERMINATION
March 31, 2020
Re: NOTICE TO EMPLOYEES REGARDING CLOSINGS
Since our discussion on Monday, March 24th, management has reevaluated our financial situation as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, we have been confronted with making some very difficult decisions. One of those decisions requires suspending business operations of all stores and most of the operations in the warehouse. During the reevaluation it has been determined to lay off most of our staff. A small group of individuals will remain employed to maintain operations of the rehabilitation program. This will be effective March 31, 2020.
All insurance will terminate on March 31, 2020; however you may have the option to retain your health insurance benefits for up to three (3) months. The prices listed below would be what you are required to pay to maintain health benefits. Payments will be due to the Finance Department on the first day of the month if you choose to continue coverage.
Health Benefit Plan Total Cost
Employee Only $1,052.00
...


Contact ______________________ for questions regarding Health Insurance and Life Insurance.
It is our intent to recall employees when we are financially able to do so.
For more information regarding this matter, please contact _______________ via telephone at ________________.
Please accept our appreciation for your contributions during your employment with The Salvation Army.
Sincerely,
Paul McFarland

They fired every store employee, except the store manager, in every single store. The thing we're most worried about is they terminated the health insurance effective tonight midnight. We're scrambling because if we want to continue her health insurance, in the middle of a pandemic, we need to come up with a grand TODAY. The payment is due tomorrow.

This is the most infuriating thing I could imagine. Another display of "Christian values".

Note: I did this as a typed document to remove the phone numbers and contact names, as well as I've never been able to get images to link properly on DU.

Update: They fired the store managers too.

Update 2: She filed for unemployment this morning, but we have to wait to see if she's eligible. We were able to find her insurance through the Marketplace, and she qualifies for a small subsidy. It's still $382 a month, but it's a heck of a lot better than $1052.

[dalton99a]

1. Kick

[FiveGoodMen]

2. Xtian is as Xtian does

[brush]

89. That's some cold-blooded shit. A one-day notice and cough up a grand or you lose insurance.

Damn!

[Mersky]

3. Whoa. Kick

[Sherman A1]

4. Charming

Simply Charming.......

[3Hotdogs]

5. Well, what did they expect?

Don't Jesus help those who help themselves?

[Brainfodder]

6. Side effects, cripes another one.

Gross indeed!

Good luck, no insurance is a gamble, but lots of us forced into it, unfortunately.

This spectacular shitshow WILL end, and when it does, we sure better be demanding universal basic care or we are truly fucking stooges, that and paying off the hospital debt of millions?

[Freethinker65]

7. No ELOW (Extended lack of work) program?

Shame on them.

I am a part time retail employee so have no benefits, but full timers under ELOW where I work are getting a continuing of their benefits. A majority of the company have filed for unemployment under ELOW.

FYI I have never liked the Salvation Army since they interviewed a family friend years ago and told her she would not be getting the job because she was Jewish.

[MissB]

8. Oh it's going to be a bloodbath.

I’m sorry your fiancée lost her job!

It’s no small comfort that she is in good company. She can apply for unemployment at least.

Hoping for better times ahead for you and yours.

(If you have health insurance and you’re planning on getting married.... maybe do that much sooner?)

[TXPaganBanker]

9. Unemployment isn't an option.

Because Salvation Army is a non-profit, workers are not eligible.

[Mosby]

11. That's not true.

[TXPaganBanker]

13. If it isn't it's news to us

It would be a great relief. But I tell you, her best friend (who was also an assistant manager) tried to file last year when she left the company, and they rejected it outright. The reason given was that SA was a non-profit and not eligible to participate in unemployment insurance.

Don't get me wrong, she's on the phone trying to get a hold of Texas Workforce Commission to make sure, but the phone lines are jammed.

[Kaleva]

19. According to this, your fiancee can get unemployment

"Many employers are required by law to offer unemployment benefits to former employees. This is true whether or not the organization is for-profit or non-profit.

Once you submit an application for benefits, the state unemployment agency will investigate to see if you earned enough wages during the year leading up to your unemployment. The agency will also determine who is responsible for you losing your job. If the organization is at fault, there is a great chance you will be approved for benefits. If you quit, you must prove that your quitting was justified. Otherwise, there is a great chance that benefits will be denied."

https://work.chron.com/collecting-unemployment-working-nonprofit-organization-16783.html

[Beaverhausen]

25. Are taxes withheld in her paycheck?

[MoonchildCA]

124. Only SSI and Medicare are paid partially by employees.

The employer is fully responsible for unemployment benefits.

[stopbush]

71. Not true. I've worked in non-profit since 2004 and have been on unemployment

any number of times due to work slow downs or business closings.

[TXPaganBanker]

75. Thank you

It's helpful to hear the successful stories. It's different than what she's hearing from her manager and former employees though. She still hasn't been able to get thru to the TWC on the phones.

[whopis01]

129. Unfortunately the info you were given likely does not apply to your situation.

The problem isn't just because the Salvation Army is a non-profit. It is because they fall into a category of non-profits that do not have to participate in the unemployment insurance system.

Religious organizations are exempt (at least in some states - not sure if it applies in all states). Where they can get away with it, the Salvation Army does not pay into that system, and as such their employees are not eligible for unemployment benefits.

I am sorry if others were getting your hopes up about that.

With that said - by all means try to get whatever you can. I could be wrong, or it might not apply in your state. I hope that is the case.

[whopis01]

101. It is true actually.

At least in the case of the Salvation Army.

They are a religious organization and as such don’t have to participate in unemployment insurance. This may vary from state to state - I am unsure about that. But I do know that in a lot of states they are exempt.

Here is an application form from Pennsylvania and Delaware that require employees to acknowledge this fact:

https://ladore.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Ladore-Application-Fill-in.pdf

[stopbush]

122. Yes, if an employer does not contribute to the UI fund, their employees aren't

eligible for benefits. But there are millions of non-profits in this country that do pay into the fund and whose employees are eligible for benefits.

My post was offered as a counter to the implication that no one working for a nonprofit is eligible for benefits.

[whopis01]

130. My comments were really referring to the Salvation Army specifically.

I realize that TXPaganBanker said they had heard it was because they were non-profit and not eligible. And that is technically incorrect. It is because they are a class of non-profit that is allowed to not participate.

I have in the past and currently do work for a non-profit. One that pays into the UI system. I was just trying to help make sure TXPaganBanker got information relevant to their specific situation.

[Caliman73]

91. Maybe the operative word is "left" for the best friend.

You don't get unemployment if you voluntarily leave employment. You get unemployment when you are terminated or furloughed.

[TXPaganBanker]

93. I was being polite

When the new store manager came in to that location, she fired all the existing assistant managers so she could hire new ones, no reason given. "Changing of the guard" and all that.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

127. Did that assistant manager leave voluntarily?

If so, she would not have been eligible for unemployment benefits. That's for when you've been laid off. Being fired for cause also usually is not eligible for unemployment.

[whopis01]

100. Actually it is true

Not because of the Salvation Army being a non-profit, but because of it being a religious organization specifically.

Have a look at this application form for the Salvation Army in Eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware. It clearly states that they do not participate in unemployment insurance and requires the applicant to acknowledge that they understand they won’t be eligible for benefits.

https://ladore.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Ladore-Application-Fill-in.pdf

[KatyaR]

107. One of the relief bills that has just past

makes exceptions for religious organizations for unemployment during this pandemic. I was on a call yesterday that verified that.

[TXPaganBanker]

10. BWAHAHAA, it gets even funnier.

Effective 5:00 p.m., Friday, March 27, 2020, our county is no longer issuing or allowing applications for marriage licenses.

[MissB]

15. Oh dear!!!!

Gah!!! That’s awful!

Check with the language of the relief bill that passed thru the senate and the house last week. There may be unemployment provisions for non profit employees too- they were extended to various categories and I didn’t pay attention to the details.

[Doremus]

42. It doesn't matter if they work for a non-profit. It matters if the employer pays payroll taxes

for them.

[whopis01]

102. And the Salvation Army doesn't pay those taxes

At least not in some states. I’m not sure if they get away with this everywhere, but in some states, at least, they are exempt because of being a religious organization.

[Trueblue Texan]

109. I know that was true in the past, but I don't think it's the case in the latest bill

[pnwmom]

50. Can you go to another county?

[BrightKnight]

144. In Dallas County it's illegal to travel to another County for a non-essential job

Also, nonessential jobs have been shut down in the entire State.

[superpatriotman]

12. Goods are free to them

2018 revenue $3.8 billion.
3.3 million people volunteer with the Salvation Army, working alongside the charity's 63,000 employees.

How do you not plan for disaster when that’s pretty much your business?

[Scarsdale]

45. Good luck finding bell ringers

when THIS is exposed. GoodWill and Easter Seals will get my donations from now on.

[snowybirdie]

60. Goodwill

Is even worse. Check on Charity rating sites. salvation army was one of the better ones.

[bedazzled]

85. Boy have u got that right

All the mgmt csres'about is their own paycheck. Very abusive organization

[delisen]

66. Easter Seals is no better. Nt

[superpatriotman]

70. St. Jude's and ASCPA get our tithing

And a few local charities

[BrightKnight]

94. I am sure some Methodist Churches give to the Salvation Army

A lot of Churches are hurting now because there members are also out of work. I know my Church gives to a list of charities.

Take the unemployment money. There is a good chance that they will hire some of the people they laid off when this is over.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

128. I have not given them money in decades.

A long time ago I learned they very openly discriminated against gay people. That did it for me.

[lunasun]

14. Might be better to wait for cobra info from the insurance co or call for rate

This may be an attempt to circumvent cobra
or may be less than COBRA will cost . Hard to say
There are different sets of criteria for different employees who may be eligible for COBRA coverage anyway

[Scarsdale]

46. Cobra premiums are not cheap.

Especially for a laid-off person who is single.

[stopbush]

73. COBRA plans mean the former employee now pays 100% of the monthly premium

that was previously shared by the employer/employee or was paid 100% by the employer.

It ain’t cheap. Basically double what you were paying while employed.

[SharonClark]

97. That depends on how much the employer

was paying into insurance. I would check on Cobra, too.

[JHB]

16. Management shows themselves to be the Damnation Army

[Totally Tunsie]

17. Yikes...Kick 'em while they're down.

[crickets]

18. Is this even legal?

How can you dump people (and their insurance) on the very last day of the month, with no severance, no warning, no lead time at all for employees to catch themselves? Non profit or not, this is so shady. Wow.

Gotta love those christian companies and their christian values...

[Pepsidog]

23. Totally legal.

[underpants]

61. National Headquarters are in Arlington VA - right to work state

[GeorgiaPeanut]

20. Don't they have savings in operating capital?

I'm sure they must have millions from fat years to help them tide over the lean times.

[mathematic]

21. ACA plans are way cheaper and she should qualify for the special signup period

If you live in a state with medicaid expansion (or if she has a dependent), she might also qualify for that.

[Pepsidog]

22. Outrageous!! Congress must prohibit termination of health benefits and open up Obamacare for all.

[mr_lebowski]

64. In what way(s) is/are 'Obamacare' not 'open to all'?

I don't think Congress has the authority to just up and ban 'termination of health benefits' outright.

They probably could, however, probably come up with a way to pay benefits for everyone.

By, like, say, supplementing 100% of the cost of plans purchased on the ACA exchanges for everyone laid off.

BUT ... could the insurance companies involved even handle the influx of millions of applicants that would occur? I sorta doubt many of them could.

[forkol]

83. If you have more than to get any subsidy

The ACA monthly may not be cheap by any means. They are actually still quite expensive for even barely decent options. And in the states that are adverse to ACA, you don't have many providers to make a choice from.

[Fritz Walter]

24. Whom would Jesus lay off?

I had a friend who was terminated when he came out. He was one of their best fund-raisers.
To this day, I won’t throw a single, bent, dirty penny into one of their holiday kettles! I don’t care who’s ringing the bell!!

Hang in there!

[calimary]

28. O.M.G.

Whew! "Whom would Jesus lay off?" WWJLO.

[KY_EnviroGuy]

26. What happened to their tRump bailout money?

A rational person would assume Rethugs put support for Christian charity orgs in one of the bills, considering some other stuff they rescued. This is one of the most brutally fast shutdowns I've heard of in a while.

Not a big fan of SA, but good grief - they provide meals and shelters for millions around the country. I hope that part stays open! Perhaps that's what they're calling "the rehabilitation program."

Whether we like them or not, this is no time to shut any organization down that helps the less fortunate.....

TX, we hope your fiancee quickly finds something to fill this void in her security.......

[Ilsa]

27. Isn't COBRA coverage available retroactively?

In other words, the payment doesn't have to be made on the first day of unemployment.

[bobbieinok]

33. Some yrs ago Cobra was quite expensive (89)

Really shocked me

[burrowowl]

38. Cobra is exorbitantly expensive

[Ilsa]

86. I know. We bought and cancelled ours

Within 10 days, years ago. $1200 was refunded, a single month's coverage.

[GopherGal]

82. Sort of.

You have up to 60 days after losing employment to sign up for COBRA, and the coverage would be retroactive, but so would the premiums.



https://www.insure.com/health-insurance/cobra-tips.html

[csziggy]

29. One thing this may show is how BAD employer supplied insurance is

Not just that the policies are lacking - unless they are required by regulations such as the ACA to be good - but that as soon as a health crisis hits, the employers will dump the employees and their employer supplied insurance is gone.

Even when companies start hiring people back, many employer supplied insurance policies do not activate immediately - it can be months before they take full effect.

If the ACA is overturned - which could happen if the Supreme Court rules on it in the middle of this pandemic - then pre-existing conditions could be excluded. How many people who survive this virus will now have permanent lung damage and be uninsurable?

This could be the tipping point to a national health system, between the people who have never been able to rely on coverage - until the ACA or even after it - and the people who find out that their coverage is not reliable.

[MoonlitKnight]

36. This is the big point of failure in our system

Employer or job goes down, so does your insurance.

We need to add enrollment in Medicare as an option along with COBRA and ACA during this crisis. No, not the everything is free plan, just Medicare as it exists just for younger unemployed. If you choose it you keep it until you get another job and insurance. At that time you choose to take the employer plan or permanently stay with Medicare.

It will help out and have the dual purpose as a pilot for feasibility of opening Medicare to more and possibly all. If you want to be more timid about it, you could limit to over 40 or 50...certainly anyone over 60 would be silly to argue against as it is the highest risk group and not far from eligibility anyway.

[customerserviceguy]

30. Often

employed people have absolutely no idea what health insurance costs. They see the quoted rate for COBRA coverage when they lose a job, and are shocked.

Enough people being shocked is what we need to get to single payer in this country, if you're looking for a silver lining in the dark cloud of C-19.

[stopdiggin]

39. Yep. Many employers are kicking in big time

and the employees are barely aware ..
One of the reason for sticker shock when people start discussing ACA (or M4A) ...
Because you don't have a clue what you (and your employer) are already paying ...
And that's before you factor in huge (and growing) deductibles and co-pays ...

[LudwigPastorius]

68. Yep, if you're self employed you know just how insane premiums are.

The only reasons I have health insurance right now is because of President Obama and the Democratic majorities in the House and Senate in 2010.

[Bradshaw3]

31. It's god's will

Or so I've been told by my drumpf-loving xtian neighbor about this catastrophe. Nothing we can do, apparently.

[ouija]

34. I guess

That government run healthcare looks pretty good right about now.

[Bradshaw3]

37. I dunno considering how deluded some of these people are n/t

Cuomo today was talking about how much of a jigsaw the NY healthcare provider system is (applies nationally of course) as is our system of delivering healthcare. You would think people would get it, but the commitment to profiting off healthcare is strong, stronger than getting it to all for many people.

[SheltieLover]

32. K&R

[in2herbs]

35. And how many benefits and how much salary is McFarland going to keep. Is his job gone? nt

[Brother Buzz]

43. I suspect he'll get promoted....

from Major to Lieutenant-colonel.

[safeinOhio]

40. Found a link for SE Michigan...

is it country wide.


https://www.wxyz.com/news/all-35-salvation-army-thrift-stores-temporarily-closing

[TXPaganBanker]

52. We're in Texas

They held the Texas stores open longer than most, because it's where they send the people in rehab during the day. They finally closed down on the 24th, but it was later than most of the country. All the donation centers, warehouses and stores are closed.

[BrightKnight]

95. It looks like the 24 hour facilities are open in Dallas.

It would be illegal for them to run the stores in Dallas County.

[Ad Infinitum]

41. COBRA

Cobra is the stop gap insurance for employees who lose coverage due to lay offs or unlawful termination.
The Health Insurance for Cobra is 2% above the previous coverage. She will also need a copy of the termination and will NOT be eligible if she cannot show loss of previous coverage.

[beastie boy]

44. Apparently, like Ron Reagan Jr., they are not afraid to burn in hell...

[FailureToCommunicate]

47. Sorry to hear of this nasty turn of events (including your impending nuptials) Fired...

is what it feels like, but when your fiancé applies for unemployment, she should use the term in their email: "layed off"

"Fired" is harder for them to justify compensation.

[pnwmom]

48. Do you have insurance? I know an engaged couple who moved their wedding date up 6 months

so that the one who was losing insurance could get it.

This IS infuriating and it's even worse because Texas doesn't have expanded Medicaid.

[iluvtennis]

49. Shameful. I could understand a temporary layoff/furlough. But to do a permanent layoff is

disgusting. And to cut off medical benefits on 24 hours is just plain nasty.

[wnylib]

51. Immoral and inexcusable. They operate

a store, food bank, domestic violence shelter, and domestic violence counseling for women and men in my community. Their domestic violence program is state certified here. So I have always donated to them. I don't regret that because of the many people they helped.

But what a horrible thing to do to employees. In NY, it is illegal to close down a business without 3 months notice to employees. If a company does that, they have to pay the employees their full wages for 3 months. But it looks like the Salvation Army might be safe from that law since the store managers have not been fired. Don't know.

But can they even keep stores open during the coronavirus shutdown?

It looks like they decided they could no longer keep people on the payroll without money from the stores and. donations since people have little to give these days?

But the basic decent thing to do is to give some notice and maintain health coverage at least a few months.

There is a safety net in NY. But what about other states?

[DarthDem]

53. Absolutely Unfricking Believable

The answer to the question of whether this is legal is yes. (BTW there's a COBRA election period during which coverage may continue - the OP may want to look into it.) But whether this is moral - coming from an organization that is supposed to be dedicated to helping people - is another matter and the seemingly apparent answer is just mindboggling.

I just can't even believe this. Beyond shocking.

[raising2moredems]

54. We quit supporting SA a long time ago

After they preyed upon an elderly relative of friends of ours. Left all the care taking to the family, ensured a couple of relatives got a fistful of dollars then got the lion's share of the relatives money. Suffice it to say the next couple of times we got the begging for money letter in the mail, we asked what they did with the relatives millions?

[bubbazero]

55. That most Christian of organizations?

To steal a line or two---"and the three men I admire most..........the Father , Son, and the Holy Ghost............they took the last train for the coast...........the day the MUSIC died"..............I'll never ring their bell again--hadn't since I found out their stance on homosexuality yrs ago.

[MineralMan]

56. "Do unto others before they know you're going to do unto them."

"Then, lock your doors and hide from them."

Retribution 3:17

[johnthewoodworker]

57. Onward Christian soldiers, to the unemployment line.

[LaMouffette]

58. Many people who get health insurance benefits through their employer . . .

hate the ACA (Obamacare). They feel resentful that they have to subsidize the health insurance of people who don't get health insurance through their work. What they don't realize is that their health insurance is subsidized, too, due to the fact that it is a tax-free benefit that they are receiving. Here's an excerpt from the article that opened my eyes up to this fact:

But here’s what most people don’t know: As taxpayers, we’ve been subsidizing health insurance benefits for high-net-worth Americans for decades. In fact, since 1954, employer-sponsored health insurance – which is how the majority of Americans get their coverage – has been a tax-free benefit, making it the single largest annual federal tax expenditure (i.e., a loss of revenue for the federal government).

It cost taxpayers $250 billion in 2015 and is expected to cost $3.2 trillion between 2016 and 2025, dwarfing what we spend on tax credits to lower the cost of coverage for people buying plans through ACA marketplaces.

Employees tend to rank health benefits high on their list of priorities when job searching. Very few, however, understand how heavily their coverage is subsidized (or that it’s subsidized at all!) by taxpayers. What’s more, this tax exclusion grows as incomes rise, meaning the highest earners are the most heavily subsidized.

In short, we’ve been providing financial help to those in our society that least need it while millions of low- and middle-income people without work-based health insurance buckle under the weight of rising costs.

Source: https://www.healthinsurance.org/blog/2016/06/23/about-that-health-insurance-youve-been-subsidizing/

I'm self-employed and my husband does not get health insurance where he works. We're both on Obamacare—thank God! If we were not on Obamacare, to get our current "Bronze" level (the cheapest one available) coverage we would have to pay $1,800 a month for me and $1,900 a month for my husband. There is no way we could afford to pay $3,700 a month for health insurance.

I think we need to allow people to buy into Medicare, in other words, Medicare for those who want it. I think that was Mayor Pete's plan.

[LudwigPastorius]

59. Man, I hate that passive language, "...it has been determined to lay off most our staff."

That makes is sound like something that just happened to management, "We didn't have a say in it. It was just 'determined".

What a punk move.

Anyway, I feel for her. I'm out of work and have been for the past 2 & 1/2 weeks, with no end in sight.

I tried to begin the process to apply for unemployment today, but the state's web site is so choked with people trying to get in, I couldn't even register a user name and password.

[bucolic_frolic]

62. Everyone? Nationwide? Or just in Texas /nt

[MineralMan]

69. I don't know. So far, there are no news stories about this.

Not that I can find, anyhow. So, the extent of it isn't known yet.

[TXPaganBanker]

72. Most of the stores shut down 2 weeks ago...

Texas held out for an extra week and closed the stores March 24th (the employees were at work Monday the 23rd, but the doors were closed). Because she wasn't able to get on the call, all she knows is what the letter says and what the store manager told her afterwards. But it's all stores in Texas at least. It sounds national though.

[MineralMan]

76. I see lots of stories about stores being shut down from previous days

in other places. There's no single story, however, talking about the national organization that I can find.

That may be coming shortly, though.

So, it looks like what happened in Texas is occurring elsewhere as well. There will probably be more news on this in the next day or two.

Sounds like they're going to hunker down and keep whatever money is left for their management. Typical.

[enid602]

63. tax law

Remember, Trump's tax law eliminates the need to itemize for most people. I remember reading at the time that most charitable donations from middle lass people will end as they would no longer be deductible. I wonder if this is what's going on with SA.

[tulipsandroses]

65. Sorry to hear about your fiancee's job loss.Doesn't this qualify her for special enrollment?

For coverage through the ACA? I also read somewhere that some states were making coverage thru the ACA available to those who have lost their jobs due to Coronavirus. But if I am not mistaken, ACA already allows you to sign up outside of the enrollment period if you recently lost health coverage.

[TXPaganBanker]

77. It should.

At least we're hoping so.

[forkol]

84. It does.

But your monthly costs may surprise you, especially if you don't qualify for any subsidies.

[OMGWTF]

67. Tough Times Show the Truth about People/Organizations

These days if someone feels compelled to tell me they're a Christian, I say "thanks for the warning" and leave.

[Blue_true]

81. I needed lemons yesterday and went to a discount grocer near me because it was closer than Publix.

While I was there, a guy had a massive dolley loaded up with several full boxes of things like tuna, noodles, beans, peas. As I stood an watched holding my four lemons, I was sort of pissed because he looked a little dishelved. I was surprised that the cashier was being so accommodating given that he seemed to be hoarding, but as he handed her items to scan at the register (one unit was scanned, then she tabulated the amount for all the boxes of that item), she checked off something on a sheet of paper that had lots of lines on it. This went on and on. Finally it was done and the guy paid with a credit or debit card, an outrageous number of hundreds of dollars, at the discount shop. The woman said that she was glad to see him getting back in business. After he pushed the massive dolley away, I asked the woman what he was doing buying so much. It turns out that the guy was from a coalition of local churches, he was restocking an interfaith food bank, critical for some during these times. My guess is that he was likely a minister who has been running his ass off for the last few weeks, so things like shaving and cutting his hair fell by the wayside. I am not a Christian, but there are a lot of Christians out there that genuinely care about the less fortunate and are working to soften the brutal impacts a lot of people are taking right now, not all of them are money grubbing grifters.

[Ilsa]

87. My church's food pantry is still working,

as are several other church pantries in town. Some people try to live their faith, even during tough times.

[Blue_true]

90. I must say, I was upset when what I thought would be a really fast trip turned into

a big wait. But given what I witnessed, I am glad that I went there instead of to Publix, what I saw uplifts my faith in humanity some.

[Joinfortmill]

74. Employees should be covered under COBRA for 18 months

Here's a link: https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/health-plans/cobra
On a personal note. That was a horrible way to make the announcement. Salvation Army is one of the charities I give to. I'll be rethinking that going forward.

[ck4829]

78. Contrast: My non-profit's vice president delivered the news to every store herself in person

[catbyte]

79. Well,

If your fiancee had payroll taxes taken out, she'll be eligible for unemployment.

[BrightKnight]

80. They can't spend money that they don't have.

Their stores are all closed. I doubt they are getting any cash donations. The situation is not going to improve soon. A lot of the people that would help can’t do much now. IDK, perhaps perhaps media companies like Facebook would donate some ad space.

[Progressive Law]

92. It's also difficult to spend money that has already been spent on the CEO's salary.

[BrightKnight]

96. Well, I think you need professional leadership for an organization that size.

You are not going to find acceptable volunteer leadership. I’m sure the large donors prefer professional management. Non profit managers would generally make more money in the private sector. Most of them do it in part because they believe in what they are doing.

[Progressive Law]

98. Failing to maintain reserve funds doesn't seem like professional leadership to me.

Nor is firing nearly the entire workforce with less than 24 hours notice.

[BrightKnight]

99. Paying unemployment in TX requires reserve funds.

A lot of employers do unethical things to get out of it.

[drmeow]

88. I stopped putting money

In their Xmas buckets a number of years ago because of their bigotry. I'm so sorry about your situation. And not being able get a marriage license is also effed up.

[bluecollar2]

103. WARN Act violation?

Mass layoffs require a 60 day notice I believe...

[Metatron]

113. I was also wondering about that.

The only problem is there isn't really any penalty to the Salvation Army as long as they pay the wages owed.

[MineralMan]

112. Try a different word, please.

[magicarpet]

118. Oh,.. I'm sorry I'm bi--, so no big deal to me.

When it comes to the hyper-religious Salvation Army and the ghastly things they say about the gay community.... well every chance I get I spit their vulgar terminologies right back in their faces. That was my only intent.

In matter of fact,.... around Xmas time I throw clumps of my poodles dog shit in the bell ringers bucket.

But maybe I shouldn't tell you all that.

I have the tendency to fight hate - with a titanium pair of brass knuckles. Show me a Nazi Fascist ... I'll show you someone who has been knocked on their ass and spit on.

*********

If the word offended I sincerely apologize.

[Kaleva]

105. I don't see this in the news anywhere

Some outlets and services are being shut down or acaled back because of the lack of donations and fear of the virus but i see nothing of mass layoffs.

[Tanuki]

106. Affordable Care Act Qualifying Life Event

Even though the open enrollment period is over, she should still be able to get ACA coverage now since she lost her health insurance.

https://www.healthcare.gov/glossary/qualifying-life-event/

Qualifying Life Event (QLE)

A change in your situation — like getting married, having a baby, or losing health coverage — that can make you eligible for a Special Enrollment Period, allowing you to enroll in health insurance outside the yearly Open Enrollment Period.

See if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period

GET STARTED

There are 4 basic types of qualifying life events. (The following are examples, not a full list.)

Loss of health coverage

Losing existing health coverage, including job-based, individual, and student plans
Losing eligibility for Medicare, Medicaid, or CHIP
Turning 26 and losing coverage through a parent’s plan

Changes in household

Getting married or divorcedHaving a baby or adopting a childDeath in the family

Changes in residence

Moving to a different ZIP code or countyA student moving to or from the place they attend schoolA seasonal worker moving to or from the place they both live and workMoving to or from a shelter or other transitional housing

Other qualifying events

Changes in your income that affect the coverage you qualify for
Gaining membership in a federally recognized tribe or status as an Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) Corporation shareholder
Becoming a U.S. citizen
Leaving incarceration (jail or prison)
AmeriCorps members starting or ending their serviceRelated content
See all qualifying life events

[MarianJack]

108. Good Christian family values...NOT.

Jesus would be pissed.

RESIST

[Piratedog]

110. I'm not seeing any news on this. I would think this would be on the wire

[Kaleva]

111. One would think this would be on the news but I can't find it.

[left-of-center2012]

117. Yep, I found nothing anywhere n/t

[left-of-center2012]

115. Yep, I found nothing anywhere n/t

[left-of-center2012]

114. Nothing on the internet about this

I googled it and found not one mention.

[turbinetree]

116. So to come up with the COBRA pay they have to pay over $1052.00 to have health coverage.............

just gotta love the health care coverage in this country.........................for greed to an insurance company and the pandemic just exposes more ............amazing.......................

[kskiska]

119. Doesn't the Salvation Army run AA?

[Permanut]

126. AA is independent..

Although some SA facilities have been used for meetings, same with churches and community centers.

One of their traditions states:

7. Every A.A. group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.

Just some info from a grateful 25 year member.

[calimary]

120. Cold.

[bluescribbler]

121. Joe Hill called them "The Starvation Army".

Now we see why.

[Orrex]

123. When I was let go from a job in 2008, the offered me the "continuing insurance" option

It would have cost about 4X more than what I was paying while in their employment. I could barely make ends meet with the shit salary they were paying me, and somehow I was supposed to cough up a much larger sum for insurance with my income reduced by half? I literally laughed in the face of the HR drone tasked with explaining it to me.

What kind of sick asshole came up with that program? What kind of independently wealthy dilettante worker could afford such an outlay?


Not at all surprised that the Salvation Army, with so many policies based in bigotry and exclusion, would screw its employees at the first opportunity.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

125. Jeeeeezzzus!!!!!!!!! 🤬

Lord how I hate christofascists.


God, those poor people!! 😰

[Sunlei]

131. what a shock that must have been. Your Fiancee must apply now for Unemployment, heres

Your Fiancee must apply now for Unemployment, here's the link for Texas unemployment-

https://www.twc.texas.gov/jobseekers/unemployment-benefits-services#applyBenefits

make an account, logon and fill out the application now & submit it because the claim starts the week you complete the application. That means she will get a check to cover this first week.

Probably best to use the online chat portal with any questions late night or early am, they're open 24/7

Most importantly is to get the application filled out & submitted now.

The recent bills passed have added unemployment benefits for a much wider range of 'businesses' that laid off employees because of the pandemic.

Very important at these times to keep insurance, can you check with your employer to see if fiancée can be added to your plan? If you're not employed/insured I suggest to pay at least a months premium and negotiate with her employer for some type of paid insurance/severance money for at least a couple of months.

Please do fill out that application, my heart goes out to you both. Stay healthy and make the most of this time together! I'm in Fortbend county Texas, near Houston

[TXPaganBanker]

132. She started it this morning.

Thank you for posting the link however. We're both just tired and frustrated at the whole process. (I'm retired, disabled, and living off my retirement funds).

[Kaleva]

133. Can you provide a link to a news story covering SA firing everyone?

[left-of-center2012]

134. There is nothing on the internet about this

I googled it several times over today and there is not one news story.

Something this BIG,
if real,
would be a BIG story.

[TXPaganBanker]

135. Seeing how I don't own a media company, I can't tell you why it's not a story.

We're going by the email that every store employee received, and what her manager and district manager said.
I've got the email they sent her.
I've got pictures of the store closed, I've got pictures of the signs on the doors, if you want.
I've got pictures of her not at work, and can even have her put on her red vest if you want.
If you Google Salvation Army, all store locations in Dallas are listed as "Permanently Closed".
If you drive by a store, I'd bet dollars to donuts it's closed, because they all are.

Someone post an email on where to send pictures, and I'll send you whatever the nay-sayers think you need to believe this.

Until then, we're both going to be here, at home, where neither of us has a job currently, thanks.

[left-of-center2012]

140. So, it's just part of the nationwide shut down ...

So, it's part of the nationwide shut down of non-essential businesses due to the virus.

The OP sounds like it's some horrible act perpetrated by only the Salvation Army.
Most stores, restaurants, barber shops, book stores, pet shops, etc had to shut down.
Most places of worship can not hold public religious services.
All thrift stores had to shut down, not just the SA.

The OP was followed by many damning the Salvation Army
for doing what the government ordered;
all nonessential businesses had to shut down.

So now that I know 'the real story', I'm done with it.

[TXPaganBanker]

141. I don't know how that was unclear in my original post.

It specifically says they fired everyone because of the shut down due to the virus.

Get on with your 'real story' b.s.

[left-of-center2012]

142. Get on with your 'real story' b.s.

Thanks

[TXPaganBanker]

136. This is from the Dallas Salvation Army FB page

It doesn't say anything about the firings, but it's their public announcement about the stores closing. This page is ONLY for the Dallas stores, so no, it doesn't say anything about the rest of the state, or nation.

https://www.facebook.com/SADallasARC/posts/3115239285163921

Posted March 24, 2020

All Family Stores around the Dallas area are Closed due to COVID-19. Please keep us in your prayers as we continue to help those in our Rehabilitation Center.

Store locations closed:
Downtown Dallas- 5554 Harry Hines Blvd.
Dallas Oak Cliff- 4810 Village Fair Dr.
Plano- 5900 K Ave.
Farmers Branch- 12895 Josey Ln.
Lewisville- 602 E. Round Grove Rd.
Garland- 1418 W. Buckingham Rd.

[Kaleva]

137. maybe you could edit your OP to make clear this is just for Dallas stores

Your OP leads one to believe this is nationwide.

[TXPaganBanker]

138. Because everything we have been told is that it was nationwide

n/t

[Kaleva]

139. I did just find this about SA thrift stores in Michigan

"Salvation Army Southeast Michigan closes stores, due to coronavirus concerns Mar 17, 2020

The Salvation Army Southeast Michigan Adult Rehabilitation Center announced it has temporarily closed all 35 Family Thrift Store locations and donation centers, to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus, according to a press release. In addition, all Salvation Army stores and donation centers in Michigan are closed until further notice."

https://www.theoaklandpress.com/business/salvation-army-southeast-michigan-closes-stores-due-to-coronavirus-concerns/article_a268583a-6859-11ea-ad9f-93f7170a4164.html

The above is in line with the below:

"STORES THAT ARE CLOSED

PLATO's Closet Mishawaka is temporarily closed until further notice.
GAP stores are closed for two weeks starting March 19.
Old Navy is closing all stores in the U.S. temporarily starting March 19. More info
All IKEA stores in the U.S. are temporarily closed. More info
All TJX Company retail locations and website will close for two weeks starting March 19, including T.J. Maxx, HomeGoods, and Marshalls stores. More info
All Kohl's stores will temporarily close nationwide starting March 19 at 7 p.m. More info
Orchards Mall in Benton Harbor will temporarily close from March 20 until at least March 30.
Simon, who owns University Park Mall in Mishawaka and Lighthouse Premium Outlets in Michigan City, has temporarily closed all retail properties in the United States.
All Disney stores in North America are temporarily closed.
All U.S. Sephora locations will be closed through April 3.
All LOFT stores will close from March 18 to March 28.
In Orchards Mall, Slackers Family Fun Center, Bath and Body Works, TTT Little Kitchen, and more have temporarily closed. All events at the mall have been suspended until further notice.
Dry Goods will be closed from March 18 at 7 p.m. CST through March 27
All Macy's, Inc. stores will be closed by end of business on March 17 through March 31. The closure includes all Macy's, Bloomingdale's, Bluemercury, Macy's Backstage, Bloomingdale's the Outlet, and Market by Macy's stores
The Imagination Spot in Goshen is closed until further notice. Their online store is still open
Bath and Body Works will close all stores in the U.S. until further notice
All AMC Theatres in the U.S. will close for at least six to 12 weeks, according to the company
Strikes & Spares will be closed until end of March
Abercrombie & Fitch will close all stores in North America starting March 15. They will reopen in March 28
All Apple stores outside of the greater China region will close as of March 14. The closure will last through March 27
Nike is closing all U.S. stores from March 16 through March 27
LUSH Cosmetics will close all retail stores in the U.S. from March 16 through March 29
Victoria’s Secret Pink has closed all of its stores in the U.S. through March 29"

https://www.abc57.com/news/stores-that-are-open-and-closed-amid-covid-19-concerns

Many of the above stores remain closed.

[BrightKnight]

143. It is illegal for the stores be open in Dallas County.

We are on mandatory lock down. The judge mandated the closing and they were not consulted.

[TXPaganBanker]

146. That's the fear that the employees have

They always seem amazed that a non-Christian can be a good person, at least at this store. I'm Pagan, and I've been asked several times where I go to services. For her benefit, I dither rather than answer (I use the line "I'm a recovering Catholic" which is true.). I'm glad you had a better experience.

Since they fired everyone, no one is guaranteed a position when the store opens again. Management has said everyone will need to re-apply for their positions. Granted, several of the employees needed to go, they just didn't have a reason to let them go. We're nervous.