How can we help jobless folks during holidays?

December 16, 2006 By

Maryam and I know several people who have been laid off in the past few weeks. Or otherwise find themselves without jobs. That really sucks, we’ve been there — Maryam posts about her experience four years ago of being laid off which threw us into debt and made life pretty tough for a while. We hid a lot of those troubles from you, back when I was starting at Microsoft.

Being laid off going into Christmas is pretty cruel cause it’s a season where things are supposed to be fun, getting or giving gifts, hanging out with families and friends, and instead you’re worrying about how to pay the rent or mortgage or how to explain to your children why they can’t have that Zune or Playstation that they want while their friends show up with lots of goodies.

One thing I do is whenever I meet Craig Newmark is to thank him. His Craig’s List site was where I found my job at NEC after I was laid off. I’ll always be loyal to Craig’s List because of that, even if a better service comes along.

But, if there’s something we can do to make your holidays a little brighter, let us know. Even if it’s to offer our home to you and give you a glass of wine so you can get away from the stress for just an hour or two.

Filed Under: 1
  • http://rickreed.blogs.com/ Rick

    Yes it does suck being out of work around the holidays. Seems like employers do not do much hiring around this time of year.

    Networking seems to be the key and you certainly have a lot of contacts. I’m looking for work as well and wouldn’t mind networking with some other people.

  • http://rickreed.blogs.com Rick

    Yes it does suck being out of work around the holidays. Seems like employers do not do much hiring around this time of year.

    Networking seems to be the key and you certainly have a lot of contacts. I’m looking for work as well and wouldn’t mind networking with some other people.

  • Pingback: The spirit of Christmas at Roam4free

  • http://blog.bigboxofnothing.com/ Justin

    Yes, getting canned just before Christmas really is tough, I know from experience but thankfully I was pretty secure at the time but it was still a very disappointing experience.

    They’d torn up my employee contract in October forcing me into a self employed contract, I was then dumped the week before Christmas because I hadn’t attended the company Christmas social although did go to the official thing. Not bad for a company that had “Ethical” in it’s name and made a big deal about it’s christian values!

  • http://blog.bigboxofnothing.com Justin

    Yes, getting canned just before Christmas really is tough, I know from experience but thankfully I was pretty secure at the time but it was still a very disappointing experience.

    They’d torn up my employee contract in October forcing me into a self employed contract, I was then dumped the week before Christmas because I hadn’t attended the company Christmas social although did go to the official thing. Not bad for a company that had “Ethical” in it’s name and made a big deal about it’s christian values!

  • paul

    Any employer who willingly and knowingly does layoffs just prior to Christmas should be flogged. Firing is on thing if it’s deserved, but ruining a family Christmas is criminal. It’s bad enough if you’re single, but if you’ve got kids that need to have that Christmas experience, it can be devastating.

  • paul

    Any employer who willingly and knowingly does layoffs just prior to Christmas should be flogged. Firing is on thing if it’s deserved, but ruining a family Christmas is criminal. It’s bad enough if you’re single, but if you’ve got kids that need to have that Christmas experience, it can be devastating.

  • paul

    Commenter #3. You were fired for not attending a company social? I would not work for a company that mandates socials’ attendance. I work 5 8′s (40 hours). That’s it.

    CAVEAT: If the social is during working hours, that’s one thing, but if it’s at 8 p.m., that’s another.

  • paul

    Commenter #3. You were fired for not attending a company social? I would not work for a company that mandates socials’ attendance. I work 5 8′s (40 hours). That’s it.

    CAVEAT: If the social is during working hours, that’s one thing, but if it’s at 8 p.m., that’s another.

  • http://corvida.ilumine.net/ Lakisha

    I’m a 19 year old Computer Science major attending Hampton University. Every semester I have the same problem with trying to find a loan for school. My school’s tuition is currently around $25,000 and I’m worrying about how I’m going to pay for it to come back this spring semester in January. So, to brighten my holiday’s this year, if you could post or email any information at all on loans for students who really have no one to co-sign for them (parents have bad credit) and have not established their credit for more than a year (yet more than 6 months), it would be greatly appreciated.

    I really appreciate this post. Because even if you can’t help me out personally, it’s nice to know that if you could, just maybe, you would. Makes my holiday’s a little brighter already. Thank you! Not just for this post, but for previous ones and those to come!

  • http://corvida.ilumine.net Lakisha

    I’m a 19 year old Computer Science major attending Hampton University. Every semester I have the same problem with trying to find a loan for school. My school’s tuition is currently around $25,000 and I’m worrying about how I’m going to pay for it to come back this spring semester in January. So, to brighten my holiday’s this year, if you could post or email any information at all on loans for students who really have no one to co-sign for them (parents have bad credit) and have not established their credit for more than a year (yet more than 6 months), it would be greatly appreciated.

    I really appreciate this post. Because even if you can’t help me out personally, it’s nice to know that if you could, just maybe, you would. Makes my holiday’s a little brighter already. Thank you! Not just for this post, but for previous ones and those to come!

  • http://rexdixon.wordpress.com/ rexdixon

    Yes, 4 years ago I too was let go from my last IT contract at AT&T. It was a rough time then, and I can totally relate.

    Rex

  • http://rexdixon.wordpress.com/ rexdixon

    Yes, 4 years ago I too was let go from my last IT contract at AT&T. It was a rough time then, and I can totally relate.

    Rex

  • Leo

    I’ve been laid off from my tech support job for a few years now. Despite a short-term support contract, tech support in the Bay Area is hard to get. And now that I’m close to completing it, I’ve found that my IT related Master’s degree is pretty useless. Despite that, I remain hopeful because that’s all we can really do.

  • Leo

    I’ve been laid off from my tech support job for a few years now. Despite a short-term support contract, tech support in the Bay Area is hard to get. And now that I’m close to completing it, I’ve found that my IT related Master’s degree is pretty useless. Despite that, I remain hopeful because that’s all we can really do.

  • Bess

    This is why Tech folks should update their knowledge even they have a job at the time. Get involved with a local tech groups and network with professionals. It is important to learn the new skills demanded by the market. Learn how to build website, sell stuff online.

    There are many ways to make money online. Start before you are starving and in debt.

    The job market is weird. Many companies can’t fill many positions for months while some are being laid off.

  • Bess

    This is why Tech folks should update their knowledge even they have a job at the time. Get involved with a local tech groups and network with professionals. It is important to learn the new skills demanded by the market. Learn how to build website, sell stuff online.

    There are many ways to make money online. Start before you are starving and in debt.

    The job market is weird. Many companies can’t fill many positions for months while some are being laid off.

  • http://akselsoft.blogspot.com/ Andrew

    How can you help?

    Actually, Robert, you did just now. Your and (likely more revelant(ly)) Maryam’s post about jobless at Christmas was a nice reminder that there are other things more important than ensuring all the gifts are there, or that extended family is around.

    What matters more is being around those you love and to share that love, in whatever way, with as many others as you can.

    I’m not jobless, thankfully, but as a contractor, you’re almost always on the brink. Bess’ comment is a great one.

    Thanks.

  • http://akselsoft.blogspot.com Andrew

    How can you help?

    Actually, Robert, you did just now. Your and (likely more revelant(ly)) Maryam’s post about jobless at Christmas was a nice reminder that there are other things more important than ensuring all the gifts are there, or that extended family is around.

    What matters more is being around those you love and to share that love, in whatever way, with as many others as you can.

    I’m not jobless, thankfully, but as a contractor, you’re almost always on the brink. Bess’ comment is a great one.

    Thanks.

  • http://PuraniJeansAurGuitar.blogspot.com/ Balaji M

    Wonderful Gesture Rob. It is an honest post and truely brave of you to explain your difficulties to a wider audience. Kudos for that.

  • http://PuraniJeansAurGuitar.blogspot.com Balaji M

    Wonderful Gesture Rob. It is an honest post and truely brave of you to explain your difficulties to a wider audience. Kudos for that.

  • http://umageller.wordpress.com/ Uma

    do kids ask for Zunes ?
    come on…

  • http://umageller.wordpress.com/ Uma

    do kids ask for Zunes ?
    come on…