I teach in a pretty large system in Alabama. At the start of September I was “Required” to go to a training seminar. I was told I had to pay for it myself, but would be reimbursed for expenses when I got back. It cost approximately 700$ for the two day trip. I filled the paperwork on the 7th when I returned and I am currently still waiting on reimbursement, and they are annoyed that a month down the road I am still asking when I will get it. I was told all the paperwork is filed, signed off on, and ready for payroll to finish. However, since it happened at the end of the fiscal year, they are not sure how long it will take.
On top of that I’ve been negotiating a payment plan for back taxes that resulted from something after my father passed away. My taxes were filled and paid every year, somehow as a teacher I still owe the state more every year, and being single I’m at the highest tax pull from my check every month. Well they decided they were tired of negotiating and had a judge sign off on garnishment. 25% of my gross pay this month. Which equates to 33% of my take home. I received no notification of the impending garnishment from the state or my school system. From what I can find, the government in Alabama is not required to inform you in advance that you have an impending garnishment, and work just said “we thought you knew, we don’t contact employees for this”. While I know they are not required to, one would think that human decency would take over and say “lets them a heads up just in case so they can plan ahead” but no.
Shop in a month where I need the 700$ to get through, I have now lost 1300$ more. The system has an employee help group, turns out all they will do is dot down and help you make a budget. A budget this month is simple, I owe, but have zero, so I can pay zero. I managed rent and car payment, and all my various insurances. Now, I’m trying to get cleared for Uber so I can hopefully stay afloat this month, but by the time I get completely cleared to drive, I may not have the money for gas.
And the only thing I can do is complain on the internet.