Is always shocked by complete bastardry (Is that a word?)

Just heard back from the union about conversations with the ex-boss.  Apparently he owes me a week and a half of pay, but because I walked out, I owe him two weeks pay.

I would LOVE for him to pursue this, but he wont. I'd wrap him around the legislation any number of times.  But it isn't worth my while, or my energy to pursue any of this.

I'm just really glad that I'm not in that revolting environment anymore.

I'm having much more fun being a curator and looking for other proper arty work.

Getting on with it

Here's a nice little sight from my back door the other night:

It's lovely to be drawn back into nature and see beauty.

Life is progressing.  I have a new contract as the curator of a statewide exhibition of women's artwork and have been working on this for the last few days.  There isn't much in the way of pay, but it provides great experience and loads of new contacts.  Hopefully it will lead to more work in the industry.

I've also just gotten off the phone with Centrelink.  Because of the ex-boss' behaviour, they have decided to qualify me for payments immediately.  Normally there would be an eight week wait because I walked out of the job.  I think it's pretty funny that the ex-boss is the reason that I'm on benefits immediately.  He'd hate that.

In the past, I've had horrendous high blood pressure and have been on drugs for this for about the last six months without much improvement.  Yesterday, after two weeks away from the sweatshop, it was tested and found to be completely normal.  This was a pleasant surprise.  In fact, I'm feeling a little giddy today so might not even need the drugs.  What a relief.  It's amazing how circumstances can effect your health.

And I also want to say a big THANK YOU to all the marvellous friends who have helped me through the last couple of weeks.  You know who you are...

Snicker

Just got a call from the union and they've been onto the ex-boss asking for my employment records.  Apparently the response from the factory was that they believe I owe them money and they are going to take me to court.  So the union said 'OK, fine. We'll see you in court.'

So, long story short, the ex-boss is going to send my records to the union.  I'll also provide copies of all my pay slips and they'll do a cross check and we'll see where we go from there.

I think it's extremely unlikely that I'll end up in court.  The ex-boss is basically full of it.

Here's a little Billy Bragg as a fun ending:

Yeah, whatever.

Got another suicide threat from the ex-boss today.

Yesterday I sent him a message querying the fact that I wasn't paid for the time I put in last week.  His response was another whimper for sympathy.

Given that I've spent 15 months working there and never had a word of praise, only of criticism, I don't care.

I hope I have met the worst people I will ever meet.

Moving On

Well, I've forwarded the ex-boss' e-mail to the police, the union and to the local member who supported a grant application from the company.

He had no way of knowing that I'd found a friend hanging.  To be honest, I don't think he'd give a rats. The man is incapable of empathy.

I'm not sending anything back to him.

On my part, I'm trying to get on with it.  I'm no longer having flashbacks to finding my friend dead and have finally found the energy to clean up a bit.

It's always surprising to discover how toxic a place has been only after you've left it.

Don't know quite what to say

Yesterday I sent an e-mail to my ex-boss telling him I would not be back in his sweatshop and that he should forward any documents relating to my cessation of employment to my postal address.  I also said that I would refer the matter to the union if I wasn't satisfied with my final pay, etc.

Here is his reply:

Jo

That is fine by me

Just tell anyone from the TCFUA that they can come look for my body in the bush between Railton and Merseylea where I already have a piece of vacuum  cleaner pipe planted.

I have done my best to keep people employed

The only thing I will be sad for is the 15 other people who will lose their jobs

Graeme

 I'm a bit shocked.  Apparently this is not a new threat.  But, having been the one to find a suicide, I'm not exactly amused by this type of threat.

Hmmmm

Today I quit my job.

I've never left a place of employment under those circumstances.

Usually I give heaps of notice and train my replacement, but today, I'd had enough.

Yesterday the owner's daughter was incredibly rude to me.  She's always sure to call me 'Darlin'' when she does so.  I find this really offensive.  I've asked her not to call me that, but she persists.  Patronising sod. 

Today I was called into the office and confronted with printing that was allegedly under par.  The boss started on his usual rant, so I just butted in and said -'Consider this my notice'.

I gave him a letter saying that I would be finishing next Monday, but after an hour or so of nothing to do, I decided to leave.

I am sooooo relieved to not be there.  My whole body has relaxed.

However, now I have a mortgage to deal with no job, and not able to get on to the dole for quite some time.

Crumbs.