I have a caregiver that worked for us for a total of 2.5 weeks before quitting by pulling a no call/no show to a scheduled shift. This morning right as I'm in the middle of the most important work of the day. Lets just say in that particular office the only paperwork hangs in a roll on the wall. As I'm sitting there my cell phone starts to ring. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 calls in a row. These are coming in on my VOIP app on my phone so I know they are work related and her number was in as a contact.
As I'm washing my hands, call # 6 comes in. So I answer it this time. On the other end of the line is a hysterical girl crying and screaming at the same time. All I can make out is about every 5th word. Once she calmed down, she finally gave me enough to form a thought with. "I need a letter from you stating that I don't work there anymore. If I don't get that letter. My baby and I will be homeless."
At first thought I'm feeling truly sorry for her. Then my brain started working. In what capitalistic society does someone want proof they are unemployed in order to keep a roof over their heads? I for one drag my butt out of bed to go work 40+ hours a week just to give a good chunk of the money I make to the mortgage company. All to stay in the house I started paying on 11+ years ago. Then it dawns on me. Where she lives is government subsidized housing.
Just a week ago I handed her a letter stating her varied schedule and pay rate. This was to keep her daycare benefits. Today she was asking for a letter to keep her housing benefits. My head wants to explode right now. This appears to be a game that is played to work the system. I'm almost in the mood for a good old fashion curb stomping.
As I'm washing my hands, call # 6 comes in. So I answer it this time. On the other end of the line is a hysterical girl crying and screaming at the same time. All I can make out is about every 5th word. Once she calmed down, she finally gave me enough to form a thought with. "I need a letter from you stating that I don't work there anymore. If I don't get that letter. My baby and I will be homeless."
At first thought I'm feeling truly sorry for her. Then my brain started working. In what capitalistic society does someone want proof they are unemployed in order to keep a roof over their heads? I for one drag my butt out of bed to go work 40+ hours a week just to give a good chunk of the money I make to the mortgage company. All to stay in the house I started paying on 11+ years ago. Then it dawns on me. Where she lives is government subsidized housing.
Just a week ago I handed her a letter stating her varied schedule and pay rate. This was to keep her daycare benefits. Today she was asking for a letter to keep her housing benefits. My head wants to explode right now. This appears to be a game that is played to work the system. I'm almost in the mood for a good old fashion curb stomping.