New Blog Search and Job Prospect
Mar 26I’m on the search for new blogs to read. I generally like pretty much anything, but am drawn more towards blogs where people focus on them. I don’t mind reading daily happenings and such. I’m not really a fan of craft, food, makeup, etc blogs though.
On the job front, Randy FINALLY got through to the hiring manager at Kraft and he said he’ll look at his app. It took him leaving 3 different voice mails and today was his 5th call. I guess they’re doing interviews starting on the 1st so *fingers crossed*
We also put in our notice for this apartment because our lease expires May 1st. We like the place, the amazingly big fenced in yard and our landlords are amazing, but we’re about 1.5 hours from our families and we are driving to visit 2-3 times a week and it’s costing approximately $25 in gas each time. With the new baby coming in September and summer coming up, we like to be able to socialize and do things with our families and it’s just too far. Now next month we’ll be searching for a place in that direction and hopefully get everything situated with the job. It’ll knock quite a few points off my stress load too.
13 weeks 1 day doctor appointment
Mar 14Yesterday I had an appointment for the baby where I got the full monty including a pap smear, breast exam, a full medical history and the ultrasound. I really love my gyno though. He’s constantly making jokes the whole appointment. It’s a little hard to lay still when he’s got a never ending comedy show going on though. Baby is measuring just fine and was active when we saw it (I hate this it crap). The heartbeat was 156 bpm and we got our DVD that we’ll be adding to at every appointment. 4D ultrasounds are really weird looking though. The dr. did say he saw something between its legs but it could be the spine/tail. We’re hoping it’s a penis. Maybe next time we’ll be able to see. Onto the pictures for those of you who didn’t see them on Facebook.
Felony Convictions and Jobs
Mar 01I watch Randy apply for job after job and I cannot help but be so frustrated at the entire process. The question that never fails to appear on any application is “Have you been convicted of a felony?” and “Explain.” It is usually followed by “This does not mean you are excluded from being hired blah blah blah.”
Let’s get right to the point here. Someone who has a felony conviction is likely to get their application thrown in the garbage or passed over without a chance to explain the circumstances. I have a huge problem with this.
All felonies are not created equal. A class A felony (murder) is not on the same level as a class B, C, D or E felony. E is the lowest and what Randy was convicted of (DWI). One carries a penalty of life imprisonment while the subsequent letters mean lighter sentences. Randy’s maximum was 1-3 years. He served 15 months of it in prison and the rest is on parole. He also received a total of about $3,000 in fines when all is said and done.
Now, I would like to know WHY this should impact whether he can get hired or not. A DWI does not determine whether he can work fast food or even sweep floors for a janitorial position. (Minimum wage jobs). The applications for these jobs always have this question as well and some companies do not hire felons whatsoever. I know Wal-Mart doesn’t because my friend was a hiring manager there and felon applications go to the trash.
He completed his time. He’s paying his fines. He has also lost other “rights” such as the inability to get licenses for certain professions, cannot possess or own a firearm (even though the crime was in no way violent), can’t sit on a jury and cannot vote. It’s part of being a convicted felon.
I can see how a lot of convicted felons end up back in prison, especially those that are involved in theft or drug dealing. Unless you know a family member or friend in high places it is fucking HARD to find a job with that label. It will follow him for the rest of his life.
How do we expect people coming out of prison or jail to become productive members of society when they aren’t given a chance in the first place?
