So... I quit my job today.

Two ideas: (1) seek out a job training people in areas similar to or identical to where you used to work; the only formal qualification you MIGHT need to do that is a diploma in adult education, which you can probably get from your local community college, but I would think that most potential employers would look at your track record of results more than at your academic record.

(2) If everybody needs help doing billing in health care and you know how to run a really great operation, why not start one and handle billings on a contract basis for companies that need what you can do or train people to do for you? Granted, being a business owner is a big step, but your post kind of makes it sound like you're up for it.

Consult, consult, consult!

Every place that has had a consultant come in has paid stupid money for to find out what is wrong and to completely ignore everything you say.

Man, good on you! I wish I had the balls to do what you just did.

It was not an easy decision, that was for sure. I'm built on being bulletproof reliable and ready to go at all times. Not being the primary breadwinner in the house is a new scary thing for me. I sat back after I filed and thought "What the berkeley did I just do?". Oh well. I've been through worse.

mndsm wrote:

JohnRW1621 wrote: Can you become the person on the other end of the phone? Seems to me you would be valuable for knowing how things work and how to get things done within your old building.

Also a possibility. There's a half a dozen big time players local that would probably fight over me if my resume got to them.

So get your resume to them. And make sure it gets in front of the right people.

In reply to mndsm:

I did it last year with a retail job. I was hired on to bail them out and had specific responsibilities and hours that I specified. A couple of changes of management and before I knew it, I was being agonizingly micromanaged and was doing the job of 2-3 people. I sunk my dept before Christmas and cost them thousands (according to co-workers who were still on board).

It screwed me over financially, but it was so damn gratifying. Still trying to figure out the next step. High hopes for the Spring.

Congratulations.

I'm glad that it sounds like you can stay afloat while you figure out what's next, and while the transition may be a difficult time, it sounds like you're the sort of person who will do whatever comes next in a way that will impress anybody who's paying attention.

That doesn't always work out instantly, but there are places that will appreciate it. Find one, or build it yourself.

Motherberkeley any employer who listens to customers over loyal employees.

You are a car guy with patience. You are used to getting yelled at by irrational people. Sounds like a perfect match for parking enforcement, tow truck driver , service writer, or insurance company auto accident appraiser dude. Seriously on the appraiser dude. I'm friends with three of them and they make good money, drive around in a company car, and have a very flexible schedule. Winter in MN means lots of bent up cars.

Chick who cost you your job has an "accident." You apply for her job.

Good for you! My mom did a similar thing a while back.

(I'm I the only one that read that he was going to start 'stripping as a hobby'? )

I can't believe you put up with that for 7 years. My job prospects are very nearly as bleak as yours and I wouldn't have. I get overworked and underpaid in an otherwise nice work environment and I'm still looking for ways out, if I had to put up with bitching like that I'd be soooo gone.

Sky_Render wrote: Motherberkeley any employer who listens to customers over loyal employees.

And +1 for this. All capability to tolerate bitching aside, you definitely did the right thing to leave at that point.

In the current 'the customer is always right' mindset, this becomes a problem when management listens to them instead of a loyal employee. BTDT. The difference is, when I left it was generally some time after the incident that precipitated it.

My current boss is an intelligent guy who has been around the block, he's willing to bend over backwards for both employees and customers but he won't allow us to be abused or automatically side with them. In his view, people are going to complain but that does not mean the employee is necessarily at fault. Having had bosses who were knee jerk 'it's gotta be your fault', this is a good thing.

Best of luck. It's a tough world out there.

I am worried that you can make enough money doing it, and stripping has two Ps.

Seriously, most industries have a position that is the "I don't want to figure that out" position. CPAs, Tax Attorneys, standards, OSHA compliance, ISO, Six Sigma...they all require the skills you have. They require someone to sit down, actually read the paperwork, figure out the shifting rules and regulations, and keep the company in compliance through paperwork, red tape, and BS. Most firms that I have been with pay someone a pretty decent wage to be the "go-to" person because no one else has the time or patience to do it.

Some basic training in Lean, Six Sigma, LEED Certification or even expanding your knowledge of insurance could give you a valuable skill set that employers are looking for.

Wonkothesane wrote:

Ranger50 wrote: Consult, consult, consult! Every place that has had a consultant come in has paid stupid money for to find out what is wrong and to completely ignore everything you say.

^ This. Seriously, you've proven your worth, now get the money for it. For some reason, a lot of companies will completely ignore something when their employees say it, but will pay 8 times an hourly rate to have some external person say the same thing...

This + 2. I will also say that I have friends in the Health Ins industry, my wife worked for UHC for like 14 years. There are new companies being started up because of the new Healthcare Laws that are going into effect,maybe start asking around. I am friends with a guy who is the COO of one of these companies, here in Ohio, I can ask about a job, my guess would be telecommuting would not be that big of a deal.

With that being said, if you can take some time and be a stay at home dad for a while. Your kids are only young once, you will not regret it.

RossD wrote: Good for you! My mom did a similar thing a while back. (I'm I the only one that read that he was going to start 'stripping as a hobby'? )

Is there a market for overweight pasty white dudes that haven't shaved in a few years? Cause if so, I got that E36 M3 on lock!

Rusted_Busted_Spit wrote:

Wonkothesane wrote:

Ranger50 wrote: Consult, consult, consult! Every place that has had a consultant come in has paid stupid money for to find out what is wrong and to completely ignore everything you say.

^ This. Seriously, you've proven your worth, now get the money for it. For some reason, a lot of companies will completely ignore something when their employees say it, but will pay 8 times an hourly rate to have some external person say the same thing...

This + 2. I will also say that I have friends in the Health Ins industry, my wife worked for UHC for like 14 years. There are new companies being started up because of the new Healthcare Laws that are going into effect,maybe start asking around. I am friends with a guy who is the COO of one of these companies, here in Ohio, I can ask about a job, my guess would be telecommuting would not be that big of a deal. With that being said, if you can take some time and be a stay at home dad for a while. Your kids are only young once, you will not regret it.

Telecommuting is tantamount for me. That was the whole reason I lost this job. I'm able to do anything, but sitting at home for the last year has made it more bearable.

Those same customers that used to chew you out, get them to do it part-time. Then instead of one boss you will have multiple clients, and you can drop them individually if they become too bad.

When we moved from St. Michael to SD my wife started working for a temp service provider as a consultant (let's them worry about the taxes and not me) doing pretty much the same job for the same people but at 4x the pay and as she wants to around our life. Bonus, the service she works for is in SD, so we no longer pay MN income tax.

The process for getting started with the temp agency was pretty simple, 1/2 day at most, and after that it takes about 45 minutes for them to set up a new manager as a client and start the process. The agency bills $x an hr and pays her $x-15% or so, but takes care of taxes and SSI and such so it's just regular pay checks with a W2 in Jan. You could go get set up, then call you old boss or any of those customers and offer yourself up as available by the end of the day.

Any of those customers that had to process the paperwork more than once probably wasted enough time that if you offered them a way to make sure it was right the first time, and it only costs them a couple of hours a week, you will be doing well.

mndsm wrote:

JohnRW1621 wrote: Can you become the person on the other end of the phone? Seems to me you would be valuable for knowing how things work and how to get things done within your old building.

Also a possibility. There's a half a dozen big time players local that would probably fight over me if my resume got to them.

so youve sent out dozens to them now, yes?

Hundreds and hundreds. Actually, I haven't. Wife wants me to take a little time off to get my wits about me before I start job hunting again. Her rules.

lol, theres a reason we call them "SWMBO"

Especially in cases like this. You WANT me to not work and chill out at the house with the minion, work on pinstriping, and have fun? Geez, perish the thought. My favorite quote of her so far was while she got a flu shot, talking to our kid "Mommy needs to get a shot so daddy doesn't have to work".... lemme get this straight, SHE gets the shot, and I get to stay home? I can work with a deal like that.

Hey, at least your wife is being supportive!

Supportive is an understatement. This was mostly her idea.