Emotion: fear
Problem: job crisis
Situation: I have been out of work for five weeks in quarantine due to testing positive for COVID-19.  I fear that my employer will not take me back to work even once I test negative.

assistant: Hi there, how are you feeling today?

user: Hello

assistant: Hi :) Is there anything you'd like to talk about? Something on your mind?

user: I'm concerned about my job. I have been out of work for the past 5 weeks because I tested positive for COVID-19.

assistant: Oh I am so sorry to hear that! Are you at least getting sick pay? If not, are you getting advice about help you might be able to access? Oh I am so sorry to hear that! Are you at least getting sick pay? If not, are you getting advice about help you might be able to access? (sorry for duplication, not sure what happened there!)

user: It just keeps getting better... I applied for the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance and was approved. The next day, I got an email asking me to verify my identity (I am fine with that. It actually makes good sense.)...

assistant: So you have been getting some assistance?

user: So I did as instructed and got the message on the website thanking me for verification. The following week I got a physical letter saying I was approved and the award amount per week. I have gone online once a week and qualified, as one is supposed to do, and still I have not received a cent.

assistant: I see, so you are really financially struggling at the moment? Is there anywhere else you could apply for assistance? What about a foodbank?

user: Calling the customer service line is futile. The computer just plays a recording that the agents are on other calls and then it disconnects the call.

assistant: I hear you there - I spent a long time on hold for an official matter the other day. I guess that everyone is really desperate for help and advice right now.

user: I have been very fortunate. People in my church have been bringing me food. I plan on trying to go to the food bank Monday, if they are open.

assistant: I hope that they can help you. My partner and I have used one before and they were very helpful. I felt a bit ashamed but there was no judgement at all.

user: I actually got so tired of redialing the Department of Labor and Training that I sent an email to the Lieutenant Governor of the state asking for his assistance in getting the matter resolved.

assistant: That sounds like a very positive thing to have done. I really hope that they pay some attention to you. This situation is not your fault!

user: I have been to this food bank once before, and they actually made me feel very comfortable and welcomed and gave me an information package on other ways the parent organization may be able to assist me.

assistant: Yes they are run by lovely people. Ours gave us a pamphlet for cheap and easy to make recipes too.

user: I am very lucky in that the organization is only 3 miles from me. I will be looking into their rent assistance and employment assistance programs as well.

assistant: So, at least it sounds like you have a good handle on this and are doing everything you can to help yourself, am I right?

user: I have an advantage because I have a professional background in cooking, so I can take random ingredients and turn them into wonderful and nutritious meals. I just need to have the ingredients.

assistant: That sounds very encouraging! It's amazing what you can make even with cheap food. Noodles , for instance, are very versatile :)

user: You are right. I am definitely not going to sit and pout. I am just a bit frustrated with the system.

assistant: It's a very strange situation and I suspect that some of the authorities just feel overwhelmed and have no idea how to cope.

user: I am concerned that my boss may try to not take me back at my job. Because this is an "at will" state, he can terminate me without cause. Although he can not legally fire me for being ill with COVID, he can take me back and simply release me the same day saying that I have become redundant.

assistant: That would be incredibly immoral of him. Do you feel that he is likely to do such a thing?

user: I would not put it past him. Sadly. But I have taken the attitude that if it does occur, there is nothing I can do to change the situation. I would simply pursue a charge against him for wrongful termination, and seek a new job.

assistant: That is a very rational way to look at things. I really hope that it does not come to thank though! Thank you for talking and I wish you all the best for the coming months.

user: I may not win the suit, but I would definitely file one. In 2000, I had an employer fire me without cause. I sued and won that time. Not only did they have to pay me back wages for the 90 days that the investigation took place, which was no minor sum,

assistant: I am glad that you'd not roll over and accept ill treatment! Well done :)

user: they were found to be guilty, so the judge granted me my wages based on the average of 80 hour weeks I had been working, all my vacation time, plus the overtime I would have received, holiday pay, and then to put a nice bow on that gift, he awarded me 5000 dollars in damages because the old company lied and said I had broken the law.

assistant: I am afraid I need to leave now but thank you for talking :) (can you press the quit button and take the survey?) Best wishes!

user: My current employer actually knows this happened, because years ago we discussed it, and I showed him the award letter from the Department of Labor and Training, itemizing the judge's findings and the awards. Thank you for your time. Have a great holiday.