Q. I hope you can help me. I was born in Puerto Rico but came to this country when I was young. I got into trouble about five years ago and spent four years in prison. I was determined to turn my life around when I got out of prison. An organization that helps ex-offenders, EPOCA (Ex-Prisoners and Prisoners Organizing for Community Advance) helped me get a resume together and I applied to work at a manufacturing company in the western part of the state. I put everything I had into my work and was even selected "Employee of the Month" for my efforts. Shortly after I got my award, I was called into human resources. We got a new human resources manager and she went through all the employee records and saw that I had a CORI. I was fired on the spot and escorted off the premises. I have a wife and two kids and I am without work. I wonder if I will ever be able to work again. How can I start over and be a good contributing citizen if the state won't let me go to work?
A. I am so sorry to hear about your situation. You are one of thousands of ex-offenders who get out of prison determined to start over, be a good citizen, and be a good provider to your family only to learn that you will be paying for your mistake for the rest of your life. Having a CORI (Criminal Offenders Record Information), particularly in Massachusetts, prevents so many ex-offenders from finding work, getting housing, and even getting retrained since many training vendors are afraid to train someone who will be unable to find work at the end of the training.
CORIs started in 1972, and were originally meant to streamline information between law enforcement agencies and to protect the privacy of those who have a CORI. But with modern technology, CORIs are available to almost everyone and there is great misuse and overuse of CORIs. Many employers run a CORI before hiring anyone to protect themselves from any liability should an ex-offender get hired and commit a crime at the company. Until companies are taken off the hook, in terms of liability, in the event that an ex-offender employee commits a crime, it will be very difficult to change the CORI system. Draft legislation to reform the CORI system is on Governor Patrick's desk. I urge him and our state legislators to change this antiquated law so that ex-offenders who have paid for their mistakes and want a fresh beginning, can actually do so.
In the meantime, I would reconnect with the organization that helped you when you first got out of prison, EPOCA, at 4 King St., in Worcester (508-410-7676 or 774-437-2386). EPOCA can provide resume assistance, sponsors The New Leaf Program and helps participants create a Changed Person Profile. Another excellent group is SPAN Inc., located at 105 Chauncy St. in downtown Boston (617-423-0750) which is also dedicated to assisting ex-offenders. They can provide you with many strategies and support services to get you through this tough period.
A third excellent resource is the Neighbor to Neighbor Program that has chapters all over the state. Though not exclusively for ex-offenders, it serves many ex-offenders. The contact in Boston is Wilmelia Rivera at 617-877-9392; in Fitchburg, the contact is Maritza or Oswaldo Chapa at 978-413-3836.
If you're laid off, some tips to help you cope
Q. Any advice for us employees out there who are dodging the bullet in terms of the pink slip? Every week, I hear and read about another company that is cutting 10 percent or more of their workforce. It is getting really scary out there.
A. I think you are referring to talk of an impending recession and employers tightening their belts and making strategic decisions about where to or not to deploy their employees.
I think it is really important not to panic. Continue to do the best job you can everyday. Meet your deadlines. Do the basics right: Get to work on time, don't cut corners, don't misuse the phones and/or technology, don't conduct job searches on company time, call in when sick, etc. In other words, do the right thing. Conduct yourself as any professional worker would.
We all know that sometimes, no matter how good of a worker you are, you are in the wrong department at the wrong time. The company has decided to eliminate your division or product line. Here are some things you can do now to help you get through a tough period if you are laid off:
Start an emergency fund if you haven't already and pay yourself first every pay period. Ideally, if you could put away three to six months of salary (mature workers should try and put a minimum of 6 months of salary away because it will take you longer to find work), to tide you over in case you did lose your job, you will feel much better. I know that is easier said than done. It requires real discipline on your part but it is so important.
Update your resume if you haven't looked at it in a while. Make sure it reflects all your current skills and accomplishments.
Do some research about what types of industries and companies are hiring. If you are not in one of those industries or jobs, could you transition into one of them with your current skill sets. If not, figure out what courses you would have to take to be more attractive to one of those companies.
Ask yourself if your computer skills are up to date. If not, see if you can take a software application course at your company. Many companies allow employees to take courses at their companies free of charge and during company time. If your company is not one of these, investigate where you could refresh your computer skills. One-Stop Career Centers, nonprofit organizations, libraries, high schools, and community colleges are a few of the places where you should be able to pick up a computer course.
Tighten your belt wherever you can. Have one mocha latte tall a week instead of every day as David Bach refers to as "the latte factor" in his book "Start Late, Finish Rich."
Network, network, network. It is so easy when you work for a large company to only network internally, and neglect networking outside of the company. Try to set up at least one lunch date/coffee date/after work drink with colleagues and friends from other companies per week to keep up those all important relationships. Also try to attend a few professional meetings per month to meet others in your profession.
Remember the motto of the Boy Scouts: Be prepared. It will serve you well in life.
Leaving marketing job may be the best option
Q. I am a marketing executive and report to the president of the company. I have had a wonderful career at the company and enjoyed a close relationship with the previous president for many years. Unfortunately, when he retired, a new president took over who has made it clear that he does not want me around. He has threatened me several times that if I don't do this or that, I will lose my job. I wish I could retire, but I can't. I have many more years of work before that will happen. I don't think I can fix this and frankly, I'm not sure I want to. My job requires that we interact a lot and I find my stomach is in knots every time I am near him. We just don't see eye to eye on so many issues. Any advice besides run for the hills?
A. I don't know if this will make you feel any better, but this situation happens all the time. An employee gets along beautifully with one manager, but is like oil and water with another. Different personalities react differently with individuals. This is part of life. However, I am sorry you are
going though this. These situations are never pleasant and often very stressful.
As in so many situations in life, your finances will dictate how you handle this situation. If you are a saver and have enough funds to live on for a minimum of six months, I would encourage you to leave. The stress that you are experiencing under these circumstances can do a number on your body. If you can avoid anymore of this stress, I say leave.
You might also want to see if you can craft a severance package of some kind. It sounds like you have spent many years with the company and have many accomplishments under your belt. You may want to consult a lawyer and see if the company will come up with a package for you when you leave the company. In addition, consider any bonuses or commissions that might be coming to you. Make sure you time your departure so that you receive any monies coming to you.
If you have the stomach for it, you can try to conduct a discreet job search while you are still at the company. Many of my colleagues will argue that people are "hotter" candidates when they are employed. I'm not sure how true this is but many folks do believe this theory.
Get your resume in shape and begin to shop it around. Contact several headhunters, particularly those who work with marketing people, and let them know you are looking for your next opportunity. Start calling colleagues and make dates with them to let them know you are in the market. Attend as many professional meetings as you can where you can network with peers.
Joan Cirillo is the executive director of Operation A.B.L.E. of Greater Boston, a nonprofit that provides employment and training opportunities to mature workers 45 and older.
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