But a few days after my last blog on Muck Rack, I was hit with a very sudden life change. Lots of people say you shouldn't be concerned with externals but focus on your reaction to the externals. Well, lot harder to do than to say. On about May 14, 2012, I was called into the DISB commissioner's office and told, at around 3:15 or so, that it would be my last day. I would be put on administrative leave for 14 days and then that's it.
Interestingly, May 14 was the day after Mother's Day, when my daughter made her first communion, and Antonio and I had spent the afternoon with friends--really enjoying what life offered. We were enjoying dinner in our new kitchen and just being.....
Because my position with the government was Management Supervisory Service or MSS, and you're not in the union, there aren't as many protections in place as for union staff. Mind you, we're the ones with the higher degrees in some instances. Many folks said MSS meant we had more perks etc. However, I'm here to say that for the last four years, our perks were being eroded. I hadn't gotten a raise since 2008 when I first got my salary; we lost the subsidized parking under the building; there wasn't as much time to take advantage of many educational opportunities; and for some of the time, you're ensuring you don't cross the unions. Maybe it has changed but quite a few MSS folks said to me that it's not worth it anymore. On top of that, your employees could easily make more than you--if they have time in service--or not much less than you make. Now, on top of that, you don't get the protections union staff receive. It can cause burnout and disillusion for MSS staff, especially those who go after education in the belief you'll be protected. However DC government doesn't seem to offer that. Fortunately, it had begun to work out those kinks.
Well, getting back to my original paragraph, I was actually called out from a staff meeting with my then-team to meet with the commish. I felt like dead man walking--and I said as much to the staffer who was taking me to the office where I was greeted with HR, an attorney and other witnesses. Needless to say, it was a scene that should only be in a nightmare. I don't think I remember a thing I said. All I know is that I was told the agency was going a "different direction." I'm still not sure what that meant. I suppose in other words, I don't like you much; I have to find someone else I prefer.
I think the saddest part of it is that after a person, any person, spends so many years with the government or any other organization--when your tenure comes to an end--you can have your entire life put in a box. I think in my case, I must have had at least six boxes. I have watched several persons from that agency marched out by HR or police and I have never liked the practice. I think it's insulting, hurtful and for the most part creates a chilling effect for the bystanders and others left behind. It also puts a damper on their subsequent reaching out to the staffer.
In a recent interview with Councilmember Michael Brown, I did bring it up, and he said it's for the protection of the employee and the employer. One never knows how people react in certain circumstances. (After my May situation, I believe in other parts of the country, a couple of people reacted poorly by going after bosses and shooting them. That's just giving them way too much power in my view. Don't have time to waste and I have too much to lose.)
So, here I am Nov. 2, 2012, on my husband's birthday. I mark his special day as a day I think I'm open enough to write about this. This road was not easy. Change is difficult, especially when you are older. I had a terrific job--a job I loved doing. I was well compensated and I believe I had earned the salary after working for as long as I did and for the skill sets I brought to the table. One person made a decision that altered my wealth building process and the legacy building I'm doing for my children. There could have been alternative moves. There were differences in opinions yes, maybe even philosophies. But I'm not sure it was worth eliminating someone who really liked the work and more important, providing valuable work. And could have provided valuable work in other areas too; but as MSS, bosses don't have to do that for you. You can just leave and that's that.
But it's out of my hands. My control comes from what I do next. My control comes from my attitude. My control comes from the smile on my face and the big old grin when I realize where I am and what I'm doing now. My control comes from the strength God has given to me.
I'm now a freelance reporter for the Washington Informer, www.washingtoninformer.com, the Washington Afro, www.Afro.com, Asian Fortune, www.asianfortune.com and I continue to freelance for Capital Community News, www.capitalcommunitynews.com. Also, I've revamped by company, Invisible Colours LLC, to take it onto a wealth building path. My mom said one of her brothers said this may be a God-given opportunity for me to take the company--an editorial staffing and public relations firm--to build it into something magnificent. This is my uncle who had built up a simple office furniture company into an empire in Trinidad and Tobago. His word, I will hang onto it.
I'll stop here for now. I must continue later. It's really late and I'm crashing. But I did find some valuable things to do that helped me through the immediate moments after my job loss to now--the next few months later. Beyond one job, I haven't tried to jump right back into government. I wanted to reevaluate and see where my heart was, and find something I really enjoyed but which will allow me to live a lifestyle that shows progress--and the American Dream for an immigrant. I was heavily disappointed by some people I thought were in my corner and pleasantly surprised by others. One of my girlfriends said, it's times like these you see who the true friends are; and you lose some along the way. True.
But briefly couple of good things I did
- Stayed For Seven Years at The Government Job --this helped somewhat with severance payments. However, recent legislation by the Council cut the severance payments from 26 weeks to 10 weeks, regardless of your length of tenure. I heard from one Council staffer that the law wasn't in effect until October. However, the last of my severance was late August. But it shows how the law affects you even when you're not paying attention. The law was created to prevent people in the Gray administration from taking advantage of the payments. I'm not sure the Councilmember who did the law thought about people working the government for years will be affected as well. So, whether you work 5 years or 20 years, if you're MSS, you balance off at 10 weeks of severance. This is a story worth doing.
- Took advantage of the government's deferred compensation, 529, and 401 (B) plans. These are my just-in-case I need to open up finances. So far, so good.
- Brought a Whole Life Insurance Policy when I was 25. Smartest thing I had ever done
- Got a Master's Degree. Lots of folks may say, it didn't help because you still lost your job. I'll say, yes, but it helped me with getting back on my feet. It offered options. It kept my dignity in tact. I buss my butt at Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. The writing was so different from anything I had learned. But that school was excellent.
- I had put some good work in at the agency from 2005 when I first started where we had built an infrastructure under Lily Qi, and I continued it and created other sustainable programming and communications tools such as the newsletter, the press machine and of course the Facebook and Twitter. Some people don't realize the agency started in 2004, and Lily had to really build it from the ground. I took it to the next level and whomever has the reins will carry it forth. But I think the foundation has been set.
- Not losing connections with old bosses and colleagues. Because of Lily, I am now writing for Asian Fortune. Because of my connection with Denise Rolark Barnes and Ron Burke, I'm a reporter at the Washington Informer. My former connections with Edgar Brookins with the Washington Afro got me in touch with the new editor there. I have other connections I haven't explored yet. But as I said, I want to take my time and get into something that I'm passionate about.
- Kept my faith in God intact. I never stopped believing He had my back. I still believe He does. Even though at times, I feel things aren't moving as quickly, and many times I get into the "why me" mode; but I know the commissioner did me a favor. I wish the Lord's blessings on him and the agency. Even now, God's still whispering in my ear, don't worry, I got you. You'll be fine. So, I stay in faith.
