When does it stop and the tide change.

[Sinking_in_the_Ocean]

Sarted with being exposed to asbestos some 10+ years ago. Company covered it up but was obvious couldn't deal with it myself.

After that I was working over the next 10 years in various places in the state that always ended up having links back to the same company. Resulted in fellow workers swapping work orders , breaking into my lockers, video taping my work then next shift i would find this maliciously broken where ever i worked the night before. I would move on and next place would have a friend that got his apprenticeship through one of the guys at the last place. Rinse and repeat they even tried following me home once (was 1.5 hour drive). Changed careers and moved interstate which lasted for about 5 years now the company I just worked for dropped me as my depression spiked after coming back from FIFO work for them. Tried SSRIs each had side affects such as memory loss, sexual dysfunction and MASSIVE aggression spikes. Tried seeing a psychologist but couldnt get past the money and work being a major blocking issue. Have stalled for a year now making 2 years without work and have had NOT A SINGLE bit of help from centrelink.

Now I'm trying hard to get back into work, but faced with the issues of last job has only one employer in my city and I dont think i can do the stress now.

My references are aligned to that job and one has said his goodbye so I don't have the required references of 2. If I go back to my original career path skills over 7 years old no references, lost knowledge and employers look at resume see vastly opposite skill sets and run scared (no discussion or explanation).

Home life has failed the house has holes in the roof that you could walk through, things like air conditioners , dishwashers, computers etc have blown, car leaks 5 ltrs oil over 2 weeks and bald tyres. No savings and no help as partner works 4 days a week. Finally strong arm centrelink into putting me on the job active list and find the recruitment agencies do nothing for 3 months. At the stage of leaving the missus so she can go onto someone who can support her and the kids. Been 2 years with no help no friends no chances just losing ground with no options to reduce the damage or change direction.

[BballJ]

Hi Sinking in the Ocean,

Firstly, welcome to the forums.

Sorry to read what you are going through, very very tough stuff and work place bullying is just not on.

Have you tried other recruitment agencies at all? also have you looked at a complete different career path, even something such as labouring for a tradesperson or getting a job in a factory just to help pay the bills until you manage to find a job in your desired field?

I know it's tough and everything seems to be hitting at once, but please try your best to remain as positive as you can and keep your head up, I also know it sounds cliché but remaining positive in this situations can sometimes help you get out from under them as hard as it may seem,

My best for you,

Jay

[Sinking_in_the_Ocean]

OP Sorry I don't know what to expect from this forum.

I'm very much a find the problem, find a solution, put it in place, move on. When I was desperate for help to get some centrelink (why i dont know) support I ended up writing to the MP for human services in Canberra (Alan Trudge I believe). The reply was literally "Pat on the back you'll be right you'll find a job", that was over a year ago. I don't respond well to just a comment or a feel good suggestion rather than action. Thats why I'm losing when the only option is the not popular one and I never get real help just pats on the back and advertising for help people with depression and ruok not heres some actual help, heres a job some security some future even its just one year.

[Sinking_in_the_Ocean]

Thankyou Jay you slipped in before my followup so dont think the above was about your post.

Trying to keep up. The labouring well they see IT and Degree and I literally have had one potential employer refuse to talk to me about a job flat out nope didnt believe i wanted to be there. And yes I have halved my resume removing things and simplifying. The work place bullying yeah was very targetted only grace i had was the HR manager I believe new me for 10 years through my apprenticeship at another company, never did chat to her on it.

[BballJ]

Hi Sinking in the Ocean,

I understand where you are coming from, it is hard as I personally cannot offer you a job which I know ultimately seems to be what would help the most. Possibly thought of doing courier work even? I always see trucks with advertising on them talking about needed drivers etc maybe that's an avenue you can look at?

My best,

Jay

[Sinking_in_the_Ocean]

I actually have considered this mainly getting a MR license for flatbed truck runs rather than van or B doubles .

Also considered earthworks such as grader operator or skid steers. Cost isnt to bad < $1500 with short time from train to job. Though I have just recently tried to learn some programming sadly the skill wasnt taught well at all and so was a nightmare (> 75% dropout rate in students).

The option was heading down hands on tool route which has its own job satisfaction from horticulture to plumbing or carpentry.

[BballJ]

Hi Sinking in the Ocean,

I think you are on the right track and looking at all avenues which is very good. Hard to learn when the skills are being taught correctly, is there another course for it, or is that the only one.

I think the idea of getting a MR license may also be a good idea to look into as well as you are doing the right things.

My best,

Jay