Support for a New Beginning After Job Loss

Hello everyone. I prayed long and hard about doing this and I finally felt like God was saying to humble myself and ask for help. Some of you know my story and some don't. So here goes from my own mouth and not rumors:

On 12/2/24 I posted a meme on FB that stated if you get spit on at work, you should go to HR and report it. I titled the post with my own joke saying that HR would stand for "Hands Right now" b/c I would fight if anyone would do that to me especially since that's considered assault. Most people that commented on the post agreed with me and said they would do the same. However, an ex employee decided to come onto my page and start trouble. She was extremely combative, insulting, used profanity and called me out my name. She proceeded to be disrespectful, accused me of several work place lies and accused me and a coworker of doing illegal activities. As anyone that has known me for even a short amount of time, you know that I was raised to not tolerate disrespect of any kind. I always stand up for myself and others and I will not allow someone to stain my work reputation. I responded back to this disgruntled employee on my page and made my thoughts very clear. Not ONCE in my response did I ever mention the company's name, nor did I use the type of verbiage and profanity to her as she did to me. On 12/20 during my holiday PTO, I received a call from the HR manager who had my manager on the line with him. He stated that someone had brought my post and thread to his attention and that somehow it had gone up to the Directors of the company. I informed him of the situation and that I was planning to show him the post upon my return to work on 12/23. I was instructed to email what I could to him and to wait to come back to work until I hear back from him on that Monday. The next week being Christmas week, delayed management from making any decisions, so I was told by him on 12/23 that no decision would be made till after the holiday and that for now I was suspended the entire week pending more investigation. Finally on 12/30, I received a call from the HR manager and my manager stating that it was decided to not bring me back to work and that I was being termed for Unprofessionalism/Misconduct.

Now fast forward to now. I worked for Convergys/CNX for 12 years. Not ONCE in those 12 years had I ever had any type of disciplinary action or document on my record. I was a 2-time award winner for my performance, I along with my team, were able to hit metrics and numbers on a program that was not seen for years. I worked my way up to leading the department and had established connections and networking deals with several management peers. However, none of that mattered. After 12 years of blood, sweat and tears, I was thrown away like I was nothing. Conveniently I was termed 2 days before the end of the month, which meant my insurance would cease in 48 hrs (had I been termed just 2 days later into January, I could have had the insurance the rest of the month for any appointments I had). I asked what exact policy I had broken and was told it was the company's Code of Ethical Business Conduct. I was told "Your interaction with a former employee were visible to many employees working here now including your direct reports. Regardless of the leading up to circumstances, your response was not professional, an you could have handled this in a different way." I was shocked that I was seen as the bad guy in the situation when the ex employee even stated that she was doing this as a way for me to get what I deserved and used the word "screenshot" to reference it was being watched for "later." Bottom line it was a setup and the company who I thought had my back all these years, allowed it to happen. In my opinion, neither the HR manager, or my manager fought for my employment to continue or suggested I be put on a written documentation instead of termination. It felt like peers that I had known for over 10 years up and disappeared and still haven't reached out to check on me, as I would have for them. But you see people's true self in times of hardship and I'm learning that now.

The good news is I have found another job that allows me to spend more time with my family at home. It comes with benefits and I get to be my own boss and recognized immediately for my accomplishments. The bad news is it'll be about 3-4 weeks before I see my first revenue. So I need help for now for my bills this month, just to buy more time until then. I have already had to cancel 2 doctor's appointments so far this month b/c they are self pay. Not ideal for my health, but is what it is for now. The main thing is that I maintain a roof over our heads with heat and water and food. I NEVER in a million years would have thought I would need to do something like this, but again, God humbles you in ways you don't realize in order to make you stronger for the fight. I do not regret ONE word I responded in that post, because I was raised to be strong and not let a bully win. I was raised to stand up for myself and be around people that have my back, not put a knife in it. So friends, I ask for any assistance you can give. And if you cant, then kindly put me on your Prayer lists. I know I will get back on my feet and that bigger, better things are waiting for me in the future. Change is scary but necessary. God will take you out of a situation that he feels is against his plan for you. Clearly this is my time to learn that. I love you all and again, thank you to those that have reached out to me these last 3 weeks. Your support means everything to me. More than you know. <3