About 3 weeks ago, I was “let go”, “laid off”, or “fired” from my job. I was a nanny for a 1 year old in Chicago, IL. This family had told me from the start of Covid that I was “essential” and that they would both lose their jobs without me.
How did I go from “essential” to “clearly not essential” you ask? Apparently, “our lifestyles did not match up”. lol.
The day before I was “let go”, I attended my cousins wedding on July 4, 2020 (he had been planning this for 3 years and unless it was postponed I was not going to miss it-ALSO, it was outside and not a huge event). Prior to attending the wedding, my boss confronted me telling me they’d like me to wear a mask for 2 weeks after the wedding. I volunteered to go get a test for Covid, so that I would NOT have to wear a mask for 2 weeks. My boss then tells me I’ll have to go get a Covid test every 2 days or so over the 2 weeks following the wedding AND wear a mask, because it can “show up anytime”. That didn’t resonate well with me.
After giving all of this some thought, I realized that I had plans to be with my Fiancés family (at least 25 of us) the weekend after my cousins wedding AND the last weekend of July. Although this was all “law abiding”, this meant I’d have to wear a mask AND get tested every couple of days for the next month in a half. I reminded my boss all of this (she already knew because the days were requested off) and let her know I didn’t think I’d be able to wear a mask 10 hours a day for over a month AND get tested for Covid every couple of days.
On Thursday, July 2 (I was off the next day), she told me it was fine and we’d figure something out. She also mentioned during this same conversation, that her husbands company was getting bought out, which could potentially result in him being laid off. Of course, that made me think and ask, “So what does that mean for me?” She again assured me they’d still need me if he got laid off and everything would be fine.
The next evening, I received a text from my employers telling me they need to express how concerned they are with me attending the wedding and Covid. They said they ordered comfortable masks and needed me to wear one while with their child. I didn’t reply to their last text (on Friday) because my Fiancé told me to relax and respond Sunday- (and not let the situation bring me down). So, I didn’t respond.
Come Sunday, I received a call from my employers around 3:00 p.m. telling me verbatim that they were letting me go because “our lifestyles didn’t match up”. They also said they figured I wasn’t on board with wearing a mask, since I didn’t respond to their last text. I explained I was planing on responding come Sunday, after my weekend was enjoyed. I then asked if getting tested and wearing a mask would make a difference but nope.
They thought that I’d be sitting in my condo, every second I’m not at work, until a vaccine comes out. They were sad and said they had cried about having to let me go. I’m still not sure if I actually got laid off because the dad got laid off or because I wasn’t acting like a hermit crab. I’ll probably never know and that’s FINE BY ME.
I did cry when I got off the phone because I never got to say goodbye to their child. Even though he was only a year old, I loved that cute, chunky, baby!
Luckily for me, I had an opportunity to travel to Hawaii and help out with my Cali fam I had worked for previously (I texted my Cali fam when the Chicago mom mentioned the dad may be getting laid off and then again a few days later when I actually did-she immediately offered to have me come out).
I’m here now, on day 4 of quarantine, and I’m taking the getting laid off as a blessing in disguise. Someone pointed out to me that getting laid off can be a downer on your ego, having my Cali fam want me to come work in Hawaii definitely counteracted any downer the Chicago fam gave me. Now, I’m feeling #BLESSED.
While in this 2 week quarantine, I get to work on this blog, read, work on my photoshop skills, workout, and do whatever I please. I’ve never actually been alone in my life for more than a few hours. It’s honestly kind of relaxing and nice being in quarantine on the beach. I miss my love, Rob, but time goes by quick, and we’ll be back together before we know it.
I also love and adore my Cali fam. I’m so excited to spend 3 weeks with them after I quarantine. The kids are hilarious, sweet little angels. The parents are both #couplegoals & #bossgoals.
P.S. I got tested for Covid before coming to Hawaii and am NEGATIVE. Take that, Chicago fam.