Hit Me on the Back of the Head with a Baseball Bat
by Marcie ClausLink to article
It is highly disconcerting to find out after 20+ years as an attorney, 10+ of which were as a Juvenile Court Hearing Officer, that you are deemed “unnecessary.” That is a quote from the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Northwestern Clinic Bulletin, etc. from the Chief Judge of
So after the “layoff,” I began the search. I was naïve in thinking that my 20+ years experience as an attorney would net a job within six months. Am I different than any other well qualified 50+ year old individual who has lost his/her job? Apparently not. I did all the things one needs to do to get a job. I even read a book that confirmed the fact that I was doing the right thing except going to church meetings as a networking tool. At least I know I am not alone.
You start to ask questions: What is the purpose of going to college? Why get an advanced degree? You really don’t need to be an attorney to go to court, you can do it by yourself. Think of all the money that I and my family could have saved, if “we” only knew that an education meant nothing. Yes, it sounds like a disgruntled ex-employee and it should. How would you feel after all the work you put into your job only to be told that you are “unnecessary”?
Nevertheless, the Supervisor kept his job and so did the officer manager. You have to wonder: who is he supervising? Zero. What office is being managed? None. Both are getting paid for those positions. The supervisor is now classified as Policy Initiatives. No policies of any worth have been made for over one year and yet he still has his job. My ex-supervisor refused to do permanency hearings when my position existed and continues to do so. He stated that it was beneath him. Both jobs combined are paid well over $150,000 plus perks of health insurance, travel to talk about the attributes of Hearing Officers, which there are none, parking, and MCLE to name a few.
There are only “Chiefs” left, no “Indians” and you cannot outsource Hearing Officers to some foreign country. It is unfortunate that this country is oblivious to the fact that the “Indians” are the ones that keep this country going. What a depressing situation and no one really cares because it is somebody else going through it. It should be noted that everyone is a SOMEBODY so everyone should care or they may fall into the same canoe that I am in.
October 19th, 2007 at 11:39 pm
I happened to go to a nice dinner for homeless people, the place was packed and I ate off my lap, the tables were full. I am doing OK and gave them $10, maybe not enough. Many of the people looked, well homeless. But many others looked like maybe 6 months away from the good life. It is hard to say, but that is what I think.
November 3rd, 2007 at 8:10 am
Yes, the Indians do the work, yet the Chiefs get the credit. I, like you, did everything “right” and find myself unemployable as age and a stint of self-employment turned me into a non-entity as far as corporate America is concerned. Too qualified for part-time work, I find that even volunteer organizations look at me with suspicion.
The tide is turning though it may be too late for us. These days most folks are aware of the devasting effects of downsizing and the fruitless job search of well qualified folks over 40.
We, the people, have to mobilize for jobs, healthcare and a return to the “American way.” LIfe was never perfect, but there was a time when opportunity and hope co-existed.
Yes, we are SOMEBODY but as a society we are good at caring for strangers in far away places while ignoring neighbors in need.
Wake Up America. We’re in this together.