One upon a time just before Christmas 2020, Ms. A was packing with his son as they were heading to visit Ms. A's mother the following morning. She had just enjoyed her delish dinner when an email arrived. An email that made all the lush feelings disappear, in a flash.
Feelings of shock, disappointment, disbelief, anxiety, anger, sweaty armpits, heart pumping like crazy.
She sat down and read the message again, then second, then a third time just that she truly understood it. Maybe my eyes were just playing up, after all, it is late evening and my eyes tend to get tired towards the evening', she thought.
(Sorry, let me, the Author, jump in here. She means presbyopia. Wink. Ok, back to the story.)
But no, her eyes weren't playing up at all. 'No right to claim earnings-related daily allowance', it pretty much said in the letter. Whaaat????!?!
Ms. A's work contract had finished at the end of November 2020 and despite actively looking for 'exciting new opportunities and a fulfilling position', for the past 12 months, she faced full unemployment first time in her life, at 44 years of age.
Anyway, she felt relieved as she could trust the fact that the support for December and onwards will come from her workers' union where she had put money aside monthly for the last 13 odd years.
(It is kinda like one pays for insurance and when something happens, you're covered, right?)
But that was not the case. 'Access denied, Ms. A'.
The decision was granted based on the fact that Ms. A had been doing voluntary work for few hours a week in December. Case closed. Also, at the end of the decision letter stood 'You cannot complain of the decision until......' (such and such time).
The Whaatttt!?!"????!! Bloody h***! She shouted out loud. The sheer disbelief she felt was indescribable. If she was a smoker, she probably would have had a fag or two. Or, if she was a drinker, she probably would have had a glass of wine or two...
But no. Thanks to her recently kicked off NLP-studies, she decided not to panic and put few tricks into use.'Well, this is a true real-life shit-just-happened-scenario and now it's a perfect opportunity to put some skills into use that I've learned so far'. So, she finished packing and after that sat down to ponder how to proceed.
Ms. A started typing. Typing an appeal for correction of the decision. And at the same time going through all the emotions under the moon. It was particularly tough for her to come to the terms with the fact that working voluntary hours is not allowed and that she was unaware of it.
'I should have known, how could I possibly have missed this regulation??'. In her case, it was only a few hours a week anyway. Nada, zero, pretty much nothing at all.
But, it's cold rules and regulations. Even if you don't get paid and there's no contract, it was looked at as a case of Ms. A being an employee or self-employed.
'Bloody unbelievable and not fair, this is! This should not happen to anyone!' she thought. And what was especially mindboggling to her was that an honest, active human being gets, literally, punished for doing good deeds. Therefore, it was just plain unacceptable in Ms. A's world.
Over Christmas time, Ms. A. used her time typing the appeal, applying for jobs, she kept doing meditations and other techniques that would keep her in good spirits not forgetting the help of her soul tribe's support.
As someone who has a tendency for anxiety and stress over nothing, she did manage to enjoy Christmas with her mother and son. Despite the fact her being in a complete Blank Canvas-state, with no idea when and where the next paycheck comes from. Therefore, the so-called 'mind-hack' tricks and rewiring one's brain seems to be working.
Few weeks go by and Ms. A. is waiting for the new decision for her appeal. Waiting, after sending several messages to the authorities that someone would answer her messages. Waiting, just waiting. Everyone knows the Christmas period, silence right? Tik Tok, Tik Tok.
Still waiting, but at the same time also keeping herself active with life: studies, jobhunting, snow clearing, looking after herself, cooking, baking, spending time & chatting with her son, friends, and close ones.
'I'm fine, things will get sorted out. This too shall pass.
This is a learning curve and something good will come out of this, sooner or later.
I'm ok at this very moment.
I'm releasing old fears, thought patterns and family history.
I have plenty of goodness in my life: a roof over my head, food, health, wonderful people and their love & support.' Ms. A. kept telling herself.
Fast forward to the end of January 2021: Ms. A. got the new decision regarding her appeal.
She did not get the support for December, apart from few days. Strict authority rules and regulations. Fortunately, she got granted support from January onwards. The emergency support that she had been contributing towards for the last 13 years, monthly.
Ms. A. feels blessed and grateful, but she does want to address the following as she is now learning from her experiences:
It is the system that NEEDS SHIFTING. The clerks that make the decisions are just following orders. That is understandable. Yet, there are too many blisters and sore spots that are making people suffer and struggle from unfair decisions and long waiting periods.
Why not hire more employees that cases get solved quicker?
Why not hire more employees that the clerks would have more time actually contacting clients and advising them before making decisions?
Why not actually TRULY HEAR the client? Because written communication is often misleading.
The one single decision that a particular clerk does can have a huge, negative impact on someone's income, daily life, and emotional wellbeing.
So, does Ms. A. live 'happily ever after', and what's coming up next for her?
Well, as much she loves fairytales (don't we all, right?), the answer is YES, but it's a YES in a toned-down way. She certainly feels very grateful and happy at this very moment.
She knows that year 2021 will treat many of us more kindly.
She knows that new paths are opening up, for many of us. It's just a matter of divine timing.
Ms. A. is available, so if you'd like to work with her, grab her while you can!
She has a colorful work experience behind her; a former beauty therapist; a Stylist; has worked as an Assistant (PA)/ Secretary/ Research Assistant for ten years and has also a background in retail & sales (cosmetics and fashion), as well as in childcare field.
More details from the Author. Wink wink.
Whatever that it is that you're going through, NEVER EVER GIVE UP and just know that you have superpowers within you.
What comes to LABELS such as unemployed, overweight/unhealthy, on-low-income, depressed, unhappy, single, no kids, introvert, etc.
It's OK. It's just for now. STOP labeling yourself and START from somewhere, take little steps each day to change your situation as we have another new start EVERY DAY. A new life every morning, you get me? Also, change the words to something else, e.g. unemployed to Available, unhealthy to Soon-Better-and-Fit.
Shifts the tone and the energy of it already, right?
Happy new week all, Big Luuuurve and until next time!
Pia