Sjogrens World Forums

Well, I work in the school system FT, but my PT jobs are cleaning a Dr's office and WAS cleaning and opening my church. Yesterday, I went to church. Three or 4 women brushed past me, wouldn't look at me when I said Hello...well, they were on a committee that fires and hires. I didn't know that until after i was fired by one of them yesterday at 3PM. (When I was told to come to a "personnel meeting", and there was only me, the woman and the minsiter there!) SO, I feel like a BIG, EMBARRASSED CHUMP! Going to church, and all the time 12 members knowing I was about to lose HALF of my mortgage payment (and, they KNEW I needed the money)! I asked her if this was based on job performance. She hesitated then said yes. (I clean completely, someone comes in and makes a mess, I get blamed for NOT cleaning ALL THE TIME!) Twice, the older secretary tried to get me into trouble, and I caught her, explained my side...they didn't care. The woman who fired me said, "Well, this is a blessing for you, I'm sure..." WHAT??? I have to find another job now, lady! AND, another church! See...? THAT'S whatcha get for asking for prayer in church when you have an Autoimmnue disease!  You have to have money to go to church there anyway...and will someone PLEASE tell them that the sign out front accidently says Christian?

So upset....I'm sorry for yelling during this post...

It's never nice to lose a job, but that is down right horrible.  They never sat down and gave a performance evaluation and how to improve (I'm sure u were excellent) but just fire you.  Why do I get the feeling the secretary's cousin or BFF will be cleaning the church now???  So sorry, hope you find another cleaning opportunity soon!

CAT

What a bummer - and I agree, I bet there are some internal politics going on there. Did they give you written information as to what was wrong with your work? Did  they give you a formal warning? If you had a contract, did they follow it, or did they make it up as they went along?

I belong to a church, but don't get involved with very much, other than giving my donation and going to mass. I was told as a very young woman that I was a sinner because I was sterilised after my last baby - and that was not allowed! You should have seen the woman's face when I told her I considered it a bigger sin to bring babies into the world that you couldn't support . Sometimes these women give church a bad name, with their holier than though attitudes.

Hugs
Kathyx

CAT -

I'm sorry you lost your PT job and the financial monies that you need.

You are not the first one on this forum to lose your job working for a church.  I can think of two other members (not me) who also lost their jobs working at a church.

I've always said you have to be careful what you tell your employer (which in this case, was your church and congregation) about your health issues.  They probably thought they were doing you a favor by lessening your stress.  Or . . . they were looking for a way to get rid of you and this opened the door.  Either way, it's sad. 

Just remember . . . your faith is not the building where you worship. 

Bucky

Dearest Cat,

I"m sooo sorry!   Wouldn't it be nice if church members followed the teachings of the church?

I guess I would be totally dumbfounded.

People are people no matter where.   For better or worse.

I agree with Cry that someone is lined up for the job.

And all too often churches don't bother with systems to protect their employees because 'of course everyone will be fair."

Keep us posted on what you find next.

The human resources person in me wants to say that you will get something better, because that happens soooooo often.

That job was already making you crazy with unreasonable expectations and a secretary against you.

But you need to grieve and be angry now.   And it WASN'T FAIR!  

kisses

Elaine

I'm sorry to hear about the job at the church too.  That's awful...couldn't they at least give you some kind of warning? 

Good luck and I'll keep my fingers crossed that you find another job soon!

Take care of yourself and stay safe -

Patze

Hi Cat,

I can only imagine how awful you must feel right now.  It all sounds to be very underhanded.  You certainly don't deserve it.

I believe that things happen for a reason...and something BETTER is just around the corner!  ;D ;)  Take care of yourself. 

Please excuse my yelling. Cat, I have said it before and I will say it again. I AM STARTING TO THINK THE WHOLE FRICKING WORLD IS GOING OUT OF THEIR COLLECTIVE MINDS!!!!

What is wrong with people anyway. Here they are not looking you in the eye and acting holier than thou. Like other said. There was a lynch mob out to get rid of you and they did. There are many churches that should take the word Christian off of their sign.

I used to be quit involved in church activities and it can be all politics there too. Strange world we live in. Hope that you can find another job to help with your mortgage payment. Maybe you could send your mortgage bill to the church. Heck, they probably don't have a guilty bone in their body. Will pray for a quick fix to this problem. Irish

Cat,
I am so sorry to hear this, and like others, are shocked and I would like to give them a "piece of my mind".  What IS wrong with people?? ???  I'm sure it sounds like some internal politics. Just unbelievable...and when something happens like this with a church and people you THINK are Christians, I think it hurts all the more.

I had something similar happen to me about 5 years ago. I was a paid staff member with an 8-county local chapter of a large, international faith-based organization which builds homes along with the families who will live in them. (big hint) I loved it, and was told I was doing a great job. Suddenly, after over a year, I was brought to a meeting and terminated. No reason; just "not fulfilling my duties". Huh?? I was hurt and shocked. Worse yet, after a few weeks I found out the real reason from a friend still there. They thought I was stealing!! Now I was hurt and mad. And it turned out they had caught their thief; a volunteer whom I completely trusted. Did I receive a call or an apology or any contact? Of course not. I still think the organization is a great one, but couldn't believe how I was treated by just one person.

I pray for you, dear, that God paves a way for a new job for you, and soon! I like what Bucky said, "Your faith is not the building where you worship."  So very true!

take care,

Melinda

WTH!!!! >:(


I will not say anything about religion cuz it is always a touchy subject with most, but I will say that NO ONE HAS A RIGHT TO TREAT YOU THAT WAY!! Do not go back there as the obviously do not practice what they preach!! AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.....I screamed for ya...just incase you didn't get a chance to yet!!

Love ya, Dear!! :-*

PM me if ya need an ear!

Sha :-* :-* :-*

I am speechless...postless??  ;D...You all are so nice. Thank you so much for the replies here. I feel so much better!

I do think they hired within the church (even though the minister said that "doesn't usually work out.", because one of the requirements is staying for church! As a matter of fact, there has been a young guy that has started going to the church , and he hangs out with our young minister sometimes after church.

And, I DO believe that it is God, not the building that matters. Funny thing....5 yrs ago I was one of a very few that encouraged our other church to merge with this one. Most older members of my old church argued, and we told them it was a building, and WE are the family...so much for family..lol...a teacher I work with invited me to HER church and it has about 100 in their youth department!! THAT really has been a struggle for me the last few yrs because my kids make up HALF of the youth now! (And, I only have 3 going...oldest is 20 now..and left 3 yrs ago.) ...my kids have been leaving the church one by one as my 16 yr old likes a more progressive church.

Anyway, THANK YOU ALL! :) XOXOXO

OMGoodness Cat I am so sorry that you were treated that way!!!! No one deserves that, I am a true believer in what goes around comes around... pay backs a lousy thing..(don't wanna get the boards dander up)....Ya get what you give...

So their gonna get it all right!!! It will be ok hang in there Cat!!!!

Feel Well
Mary

Well, since it appears they fired you without rhyme or reason, or a written warning of bad work performance, I'd trot straight to the unemployment office and sign up for benefits.  It's not called the unemployment office anymore, but find the equivilant and go and sign up.  I hope you worked enough to draw benefits. 
This is a sh==y time as Irish said.  Everyone is having a rough time.  If they deny you benefits, I'd appeal this until I couldn't see any more. Lucy

OMGosh Lucy that's the best idea.. hit em where it hurt's in the pocket!!! Go girl!!!

I didn't know you could file on a PT job! Wow. I started the job August 2007.

Lucy, i can see your are not just a pretty face!! great idea.

I looked a bit...churches are not required to contribute to unemployment insurance, therefor no benefits would be given if that's the case. I am mad, but I don't want to cause  a big ruckus. I'll just leave being the bigger Christian...if there IS such a  thing.  ;D

Ah Cat, One less 'organization' to fool with is my opinion...