?: I am having a life issue/work/insurance vs. my integrity/ Help?

[Niche]

Hi DU Friends,

I wondering if anyone knows where I'm coming from on this and if you can give me some suggestions, support, any advice is appreciated...

have taken a job with the most obnoxious hypocrat... took for insurance but Blue Cross is not a great plan and this "boss" is very weird about time off. I am working a 8-5 shift with no lunch break ('cause this guy gets all bent out of shape...) Have been there almost a year. Today, he freaked out when I asked if we had Martin Luther King Day off stating that it is a national holiday and that Universal Studios was taking the holiday off -- he got in my face and told me "come on, what?!... Never heard of that... What day? Call (another company) and ask them, they'll laugh at you." He violates my senses everyday. Not missed a day in a year, nor been late etc. I believe I will be fine but I hate this sense of "fear" brought on in our society (which I don't buy into but...) that we need insurance, full time work etc...

I have been offered a stint on a show that only works me 2-3 days a week , no insurance, not as much cash but it offers me so MUCH MORE...


Sorry for my rant, I'm just torn and this job has really done some damage to my esteem. Also, can I continue my insurance if I quit? Thanks guys. I really need another voice outside my "work till you get retirement (right?) circle...

Niche

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. Contact your state's labor department.

Most states have laws that require employers to give their employees certain benefits, days off, lunch breaks, etc.

[Erika]

2. Uh, huh?

Sure. OK.

[Droopy]

3. I think health insurance is very important

It can keep you from going bankrupt should you get a serious illness.

I think that if you are unhappy with your current job that you should try to find a better job with benefits. When you switch jobs, always move up.

[fleabert]

4. If you are in the entertainment field, isn't there a union involved?

that would be my first step about the lunch break issue. I didn't check to see what state you are in, but most state laws call for automatically deducting a lunch from your time. If there are time sheets proving that you haven't taken a break, your employer could be in very big trouble. Depends on your state laws, but I would look into it if it were me.

I am not sure if COBRA will cover if you quit rather than get fired, but it is unlikely.

Can you join a union and get insurance thru them? I have actor and stage hand friends that keep insurance between jobs that way.

good luck.

[Erika]

5. Who's responsible for your self-esteem?

You or the employer? You work for an insurance company but are asking us about continuing insurance? Alert sent.

[tjdee]

8. Where does it say he/she works for an insurance company?

?

[Erika]

9. You're right

that area is vague.

[bettyellen]

11. and like you are going to ask them what to do when you quit....

cause that always goes over so well.
duh!

[tjdee]

6. You need to quit. More to life than money and health insurance.

You don't even get a lunch break? I think you're supposed to by law.

Please, please leave. Your mental health is as important as dollars in your pocket. I'm not making as much as I could be, but this job allows me perks that don't show up in $$.

If you have an existing medical condition or children, I'd be a bit more hesitant to leave the health insurance, but you can work on getting a full time job on your days off.

[KTM]

7. Well

1st off, your boss is violating the law.. you cannot be made to work a 9-hour shift without both a 30 minute lunch break AND two 15 minute breaks during the day. I think that is federal, but maybe state... most places I've worked have a big workers' rights poster somewhere, (again, required by law to be posted.)

You COULD just announce, "I'm taking my lunch break at 12:00, unless you'd rather I take it another time." if he balks, take it anyway - whats he going to do, fire you because you wouldn't accept his violation of the law ?

On the other hand, it is VERY rare for employers to give MLK day off, in my experience. Most corporate employers give a set number of paid holidays per year, usually including Christmas and Thanksgiving, Memorial day, (or was it labor day ?) and others.. but because they are required to grant time off for religious observations, they tend to stick to Christian holidays (because a majority of people would excersie their right to take them off for religious reasons), those are the ones we get.

Its a judgement call, but I'd say better $$ and insurance, in this economy, are worth it...

as Red Foreman says, "Thats why they call it work, and not happy-happy fun time."

[KTM]

13. OK, NOT a federal law

State laws vary, some require breaks and some do not. What state are you working in ?

[bettyellen]

10. look into the cobra laws... i understand how your

current job has you by the short and curlies. that sucks. do some research into the cobra/ labor law, but yeah, not allowing a lunch break is pretty damned illegal. maybe when you are certain you want to go you can use it as a bargaining chip. the dept of labour would love to hear about it. good luck!

[Schema Thing]

12. Cobra would be mucho bling bling!

Quitting is an option of course, but you sound like you're kinda *dealing* with it? How about trying to effect change in your current situation? If you when, how empowering and cool would that be? And if you lose, you'll get unemployment.

Utilizing your union if you have one, sounds like a good place to start. Otherwise, document the no break/lunch abuse, and then make them change.


As a freelancer, I'm finally getting to the point where I have to stop gambling, and get some insurance. And, while it hurts to spend the money, if you get a policy that is just for big emergencies, it's not THAT horrible.

[Niche]

14. Thanks guys, guess the question was going back to

the world of freelance or staying at a 8-5 that is secure...

I have never worked for this kind of company (office/sales) because I have always worked in the film industry freelance. I have great faith that all things work out. Thanks again. A year of my life is enough.

Goodness Erika - Yes, my esteem is my own thus I'll get on without this ridiculous job.

Big emergency insurance? I will check into that. I am finding that the insurance that I have at this company no one takes. Thanks.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

15. Obviously you're in THAT industry

Not sure exactly what you do but even at the reduced cash, could you afford to continue your insurance? And yes, Cobra laws let you take your insurance but cost full premium...