I recently started a new job in the UK and was really enjoying it, but I’m facing a tough situation. I’m 20 years old and currently in a 3-month probationary period. Unfortunately, during my third week, I had a severe seizure that resulted in a concussion, and I had to be taken to the hospital by ambulance. This led to me missing a shift, and when I returned to work, I was still feeling unwell and ended up vomiting in the bathroom, which caused me to miss another shift. I tried to communicate with my employer about my situation, but I received no response, which made me anxious. Today, I had a back-to-work meeting where I learned that I’ve been written up for missing three shifts. The manager mentioned that there’s a possibility I may not be fit for the role due to my seizure. I’ve never experienced anything like this before, and I’m terrified that I might get laid off. To make matters worse, I found out that we’re only allowed three sick days a year before they trigger an investigation, which adds to my anxiety. I’m really scared about what’s going to happen next and if I’ll be able to keep my job.

I recently went through a frustrating experience with my unemployment benefits after being let go from my job in Texas. My former employer falsely claimed to the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) that I had quit, and later said I was fired for misconduct, which was completely untrue. I was terminated without any reason given. During my initial hearing, the officer assigned to my case barely documented anything, and the information he did include was confusing. As a result, TWC denied my benefits. I decided to appeal the decision and had my hearing with my former employer this week. Unfortunately, the ruling was once again in favor of the employer, despite the fact that he lied during the hearing and presented fabricated evidence without any credible details. I remained focused on the facts, believing that the burden of proof was on him, but it seems like the system is not working in my favor. I filed another appeal, but I’m feeling overwhelmed and frustrated with the whole process. It’s like I’m in Crazytown, and I’m not sure what more I can do if the system isn’t listening or doing its job.

I recently came across a discussion about recruiters who ghost applicants after interviews, and it really struck a chord with me. I've experienced this firsthand and it can be incredibly frustrating. There's apparently a list circulating that identifies these recruiters, but I'm not sure if it's legitimate or just a rumor. Either way, I find it interesting and it could potentially help others avoid wasting their time with companies that don't follow up. It’s disheartening to put in the effort for an interview and then hear nothing back. I hope this list, if real, can help us navigate the job search more effectively.

I quit my job on June 28, 2026, primarily due to mental health issues exacerbated by a toxic work environment and bigoted coworkers. I had been facing harassment for using a different name than what was on the schedule, as I am a trans woman. The constant use of slurs and derogatory comments made my mental health deteriorate further. On the same day I quit, I submitted my application for unemployment benefits, believing that my qualifying mental health problems would not disqualify me from receiving support. I also provided my healthcare provider's capability form to support my claim. However, it's been a while, and I'm still in the 'waiting on response' stage without any updates. I'm feeling overwhelmed and unsure of what steps to take next as I struggle to manage my finances during this time.

I recently faced a frustrating situation after being laid off from my job in Maryland. My employer claimed that I voluntarily quit, which is completely false. I was terminated without any misconduct on my part, yet they provided misleading information to the Department of Labor. I reached out to HR for a corrected termination letter, but they suggested I escalate it to management instead. I'm still waiting for a response. I spoke with an Ombudsman who explained that during the initial adjudication process, neither party is under oath, which means my employer can provide any reason for my termination without facing penalties. This feels incredibly unfair, especially since I did not quit and have no proof of their claims. I'm feeling really overwhelmed and frustrated by the whole situation, as I just want to clarify the truth and move forward.

I recently realized that I forgot to include a 1099 gig in my unemployment claim. I did a contracted social media job from March 10 to June 2, and I was paid for it on July 13. Unfortunately, I was let go from my W2 job on June 4, which is the job I filed my claim for. So far, I've only received one payment from EDD on July 23. I'm feeling stressed about this oversight and I'm unsure how to amend my claim to include the 1099 work. I can't call them today since they're closed, so I'm hoping to get some advice on what to expect moving forward.

I've been feeling really discouraged lately in my job search. After working in retail since 2019, I was recently let go from my overnight position at Walmart due to a hospitalization that kept me away for a few weeks. Unfortunately, I couldn't inform my store in time, and I lost my job as a result. Now, I'm in a new job, but the hours are incredibly sparse—I'm only getting scheduled for 1 or 2 days a month, which is hardly enough to make ends meet. I've been applying everywhere I can think of: Dollar Tree, Target, Sam's Club, Walmart, Petsmart, Petco, Walgreens, Home Depot, CVS, Family Dollar, gas stations, and fast food places like McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's, and Taco Bell. Despite having 6-7 years of retail experience, I'm either getting ghosted or receiving rejection emails. It feels so frustrating because back before COVID, I could apply with little experience and often land an interview within a week. Now, it seems like with my experience, I'm lucky to even get a response. I called one store to check on my application, and the manager told me he was sorting through 60 applications for the position I applied for. It’s hard to believe that many people are vying for a job that pays only $12-15 an hour. It really makes me question my chances of getting hired anywhere.

I recently experienced a situation where I was informed by my scheduling manager that the program I was working on was closing down. This has happened to me twice now with different companies, and it has left me questioning the honesty of my managers. Are they genuinely telling me that there are no clients available in my area, or are they just trying to phase me out? It's a frustrating position to be in, and I’m trying to figure out if this is a common tactic in the industry.

I'm currently working in junk removal and trying to find a new job, but I'm feeling overwhelmed with the process. My work schedule is pretty demanding; I work Monday through Thursday and Saturday, starting at 7 AM, and I never know when I'll finish. This makes it challenging to dedicate time to job searching. Getting my current job took about 2 or 3 months of full-time effort. I'm looking for advice on how to quickly increase my hireability and manage the application and interview process alongside my current job. I'm not entirely sure what skills I should focus on or what specific job I'm aiming for. Before this, I was an air traffic controller, and I have applied for a few ATC-related positions, but those opportunities seem to be several months away from materializing.

I recently received an offer from Vonage for a Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET) position. To be honest, I had never heard of Vonage before this opportunity came up, but the role itself seems interesting to me. However, I'm feeling a bit uncertain about making the switch since the pay raise isn't significant compared to my current job. Additionally, I've been reading about the recent trends in layoffs across the market, and I've come across mixed reviews regarding work culture and growth opportunities at Vonage. I'm contemplating whether it would be wise to accept the offer or hold out for something better.

I'm currently working in Brazil for a global business unit, where my direct managers are based in the US. I'm expected to go into the office once a week, but I've only been managing to go about once a month. Recently, I found out that the only other person in my Marketing department in Brazil left the company, which means I'm now solely responsible for all Marketing operations here, including managing a significant media budget. I'm moving to a different state soon, and I really want to stay with the company, so I've been considering asking my manager if I can work fully remote. I have a performance review coming up on Monday, and I think this could be a good opportunity to discuss my situation. The company recently did a risk assessment and concluded that losing me would severely impact the Marketing operations in Brazil, which gives me some leverage. However, I'm unsure how to approach this conversation. I've typically been passive in negotiations, focusing more on my work than on advocating for myself. With the bureaucracy in Brazil, I know I need to present my case clearly so my manager can negotiate with HR effectively. I’m aware that other teams have flexible arrangements, so I believe it's possible. I have several reasons for wanting to work remotely, including the fact that I'm the only one handling Marketing here, the office environment isn't conducive to my needs, and my current salary is below market rate for my new city. I want to make a compelling business case without overwhelming my manager with personal details. I feel like I need to strike a balance between my personal circumstances and the business needs of the company. I hope to gather some advice on how to best frame this conversation on Monday.

I worked as a contractor for a company from December 2024 to March 2025, but they didn’t have the budget to keep me on after that. They brought me back from June 2025 until April 2026, during which my manager tried to get me a full-time position. He assured me that if they ever had the budget, I would be the first person they would approach before posting the job publicly. Fast forward to almost August, and I noticed a job posting for my position on Indeed, but no one reached out to me about it. I had received a letter of recommendation, personal references from directors, and promises from my team that they wanted to hire me full-time and stop dragging me around on contracts. Colleagues even expressed that they missed me after my contract ended. I'm trying to understand why this happened and would appreciate insights from recruiters or others in similar situations.

I'm currently working in the renewable energy sector through an outsourcing arrangement and I've noticed some concerning changes at my company. Over the past few months, there have been reports of an external investment fund coming in, several senior managers including the CFO have left, and some suppliers are experiencing payment delays. Additionally, there are plans to move to new offices around the same time the investor is expected to arrive. I'm unsure if this is a typical restructuring before growth or if it indicates potential financial difficulties or major organizational changes. As an outsourced employee, I feel like I could be more easily replaced than permanent staff, which adds to my anxiety about job security. On a positive note, I'm in the final stages of recruitment for another position that promises better pay and career progression. Given the situation, I'm contemplating whether I should start actively looking for a new job now. I would love to hear from anyone who has experienced similar situations involving acquisitions, private equity investments, or corporate restructuring. Would you consider these signs red flags? How do outsourced employees typically fare in these scenarios?

I recently completed week 4 of my outplacement experience after being laid off from my role at a tech company. The program has been quite insightful, providing resources and support as I navigate my job search. I've been focusing on refining my resume and LinkedIn profile, and I've also had the opportunity to participate in several networking events. The guidance from career coaches has been invaluable, helping me to develop my interview skills and approach potential employers with confidence. With just 8 weeks left in the program, I’m feeling hopeful and motivated to secure a new position soon.

I worked as a contractor for a company from December 2024 to March 2025, but they didn't have the budget to keep me on. They brought me back from June 2025 to April 2026, and my manager even fought to get me a full-time position. Unfortunately, they couldn't secure the budget for it. My manager assured me that if they ever had the budget, I would be the first person they would approach for the role. Now, as August approaches, I've noticed a job posting for my exact position at the same company, and no one has reached out to me about it. I have a letter of recommendation and personal references from directors, including my boss, who is now the VP of operations. They all expressed that they wish they could hire me full-time and that they didn't want to keep dragging me around on contracts. I've even had colleagues reach out to me saying they miss me since my contract ended. I'm trying to understand the situation better and would appreciate any insights from recruiters or others in similar positions.

I recently completed my third interview for a position and have been anxiously waiting for a response. As a foreigner, I'm not fully aware of the typical vacation periods in the U.S., but I've read that late July to early August is a time when many people take time off. I want to send a follow-up email to check in on my application status, but I'm unsure when would be the best time to do so to ensure it gets noticed. I’m considering sending it soon, especially since I feel like I might have been ghosted regarding the results.

I recently experienced a layoff from my IT position where I was earning $150,000. After months of searching for a new role that matched my skills and salary, I had to accept a full-time job at Target making just $17/hour. While I am technically employed now, the reality is that my financial situation has drastically changed. I see many others in similar situations—highly qualified professionals who have lost their jobs and are now working in retail, warehouses, or gig jobs just to make ends meet. It's frustrating because the labor statistics don't reflect the true impact of these layoffs. They only measure whether someone is employed, not whether that job can sustain a decent standard of living. I’ve exhausted my savings, drained my retirement accounts, and have had to rely on credit cards to cover basic necessities. It feels like I’m one missed paycheck or unexpected medical bill away from financial disaster. The narrative around unemployment doesn’t capture the downward mobility many of us are experiencing. We may still be classified as employed, but the middle class is quietly collapsing, and I fear this will be remembered as a crisis of economic security rather than just unemployment.

I've recently graduated and have been struggling to find a job. To help with my job search, I've narrowed down my options for reverse recruiting services to three. I'm reaching out to see if anyone has experience with these services and can share their thoughts. I've been getting some LinkedIn reachouts, but it's still been tough to land a position. I'm hoping to make a decision soon on which service to use.

I recently had a phone screen for a remote position at Cardinal Health and I'm feeling a bit anxious about what comes next. I'm really curious about the typical hiring process after the initial phone interview. For those who have gone through it, did the recruiter inform you right away during the call if you were moving on to the next step, like a 1:1 interview? Or did you have to wait for a follow-up email or phone call? I've read various experiences about the interview process, but I haven't found much information on the timing of feedback after the phone screen. I would appreciate hearing about your experiences and how long it took before you received any updates. Thanks!

I recently found out that my previous employer is appealing my unemployment determination here in Pennsylvania. This is my first time going through this process, and I want to make sure I’m fully prepared. I can't imagine losing this appeal, especially since I have evidence that counters their claims. They submitted four cropped screenshots of our text exchanges, which conveniently leave out important context. Luckily, I have the full conversation uploaded, which clearly shows that there was no willful misconduct on my part. In addition, a former coworker is writing a letter to support my case. I’m unsure about how much documentation I should include; I have a lot of potential evidence, but I don't want to overwhelm them with too much information. My former employer has requested a phone hearing, which I find a bit cowardly. I understand that the hearing will be conducted by a referee from the Unemployment Compensation office rather than a judge. I’m curious about the format of the hearing—should I prepare a statement? Would it be wise to upload a rebuttal to the statement my employer provided? I really want to get this right, so any advice on how to navigate this situation would be greatly appreciated!