Aunty Acid by Ged Backland for April 02, 2020

That’s because you live in the U.K. Across the pond if you don’t work you can’t pay her’s or his biil.

I was having chest pains in my 30s, took a stress test, dr. said to quit my job so I did. He was right!

I haven’t worked since NY started shutting down businesses at the start of the pandemic and I’m more stressed out than ever.

He’s concerned more about Walt, Aunty!

I took early retirement, I was planning to retire in 8 months away, after falling asleep while driving my car and driving into a tree. I was okay but car was totaled. Note, when calling work to inform my boss of my accident he asked if I still would be showing up at work.

I was forced into early retirement because my boss wouldn’t let me off for an out of state funeral for my mother was bad enough, then a roommate from hell, shattered wrist, stage 3 cancer, this pandemic, then was rear ended on the interstate and my car totaled, all within 5 years. Me stressed? Quitting my job and moving to the country helps! (Smart doctor)

Aunty, perhaps you’re a hypertension carrier?

I learned something in my early 20’s and it stuck with me.

I take my job seriously;I do not take it personally.

There were only three jobs I’ve ever let define me: military officer (it’s a vocation, not a job), husband and father (I’ve been promoted: grandfather now).

I think my wife could say something similar except her vocation is nurse; she’s been doing that for close to 50 years.

I’ve been laid off numerous times in my career (and fired once – and proud of it). The most recent time was about 9 months ago.

One of the things I recommend to people is to find reasons to get out of the house and meet with people. However, that’s not going to work now. So this is a good time to meet with old friends and former coworkers on Skype or Zoom.

Job hunting is a stressful situation, but you have to do more than just respond to internet ads. Linked-in is a great asset for building your network – I’ve also had recruiters call me based on my Linked-in profile.

Also check with church groups – many provide networking meetings where you can exchange job leads and/or learn things like how to write a resume or practice your interviewing skills (I thought I was good, but they kicked me up a notch). Also look for these groups on line. The are worth going to when it is “safe to go back in the water.”

Aunty, give your boss that look—problem solved!

That might involve not paying his/her bill, and you’d be able to point out to them it was his/her idea.

Can you get a written letter from him?

Right now, with this virus, you could be working from home. Wouldn’t even have to get out of your pj’s.

Aunty, I learned to do my job in spite of an ornery boss. I remember my dad telling me to ‘shake my fist in my pocket, but do my work’.