Author: Olivia

What do I do? HR is calling us for separation packages. We’re being let go this month. Do I accept what they offer or go for unemployment? Can you do both?

Little backstory: I got offered my current job last April (didn't start until May because of onboarding and getting COVID), and I genuinely like it. I have a good work life balance, good bosses, a good team, and what I'm doing is important (I do work supporting trials involving a well known vaccine). So I haven't applied to any new jobs in a year because I'm happy where I am and I'm not looking to make any changes right now. But just an example of how much of a nightmare applying for jobs is: I got an email today informing me that a role I applied for with another company has been placed on hold. Again, I had to have applied to this role AT LEAST 12 MONTHS AGO, and it easily could have been up to 18 months or even longer ago, I don't remember when I applied to…

Yes, y’all read that correctly. After a year of refusing to go on an ayahuasca retreat (which requires me sleeping in the same room as the owner), I was fired. The owner of the company is used to women fawning over him. I watched the last two managers AND other office staff throw themselves at him. I have 0 interest in him and absolutely no desire to do ayahuasca. He had a mushroom party with a group of women from an actual cult and they did them in his office while I worked one day at the front alone. The manager even confirmed with me that’s what they were doing! The owner said it made him a better therapist. I didn’t say much and just went on to discuss actual work related appointments that I needed to work schedule. Apparently, he wanted me to join. Almost every day he and…

“From the time you were born every system in this culture has been telling you that you are not worthy as a human being unless you labor and produce and do. You had no choice in this matter. This deserves your grief and your rest. You've been lied to.”

My company suddenly realized how behind we are on everything after months of doing nothing. Now it's mandatory overtime for the next two weeks, at least. So I'm spending the first two hours of my day in the bathroom, since they think they can take another two hours of my time at the end of the day. So, any ideas of what I should do or read that's actually enriching, unlike the mindless work I do here?