Hey there fellow industry workers, let’s talk about something tough and common, but necessary: what to do when you’ve been laid off or fired. It’s a tough spot to be in, especially if you’re already dealing with financial insecurity. But fear not, because there are steps you can take to navigate this situation best as possible! Here are five essential things you should do or know after a layoff or firing:
File for Unemployment ASAP: If you’ve lost your job, filing for unemployment benefits should be your top priority. Don’t wait around – the sooner you file, the sooner you can start receiving assistance. It can take several weeks to get a determination, so the sooner you file, the better. Unemployment benefits can provide a crucial lifeline while you search for your next opportunity, helping you cover basic expenses like rent and groceries. Remember, this is money you’ve earned through your hard work, so don’t hesitate to claim it! Check out “Resources By State” on cannabisworkersresource.com and click on your state for a direct link to file.
Assess Your Finances: Losing your job can throw your finances into disarray, especially if you’re already living paycheck to paycheck. Get in contact with companies you have bills with; they can push back due dates and waive late fees! Take stock of your financial situation and create a budget to ensure you can cover essential expenses while you’re between jobs. If you’re struggling to make ends meet, don’t hesitate to seek out community resources like food banks or assistance programs like SNAP. Check out the blog over at Salary Transparent Street for more helpful financial tips and resources.
Explore New Opportunities: While getting laid off or fired can feel like the end of the road, it’s important to remember that there are always new opportunities out there. Take this time to explore different career paths within and outside of the cannabis industry. In Michigan, for example, Michigan Works! can assist with job placement and career aptitude, as well as helping you sign up for free or low-cost training programs. Create a profile with a job placement agency, attend networking events, and reach out to industry contacts to see what opportunities are available. Cannabis Workers Resource also has an easy to follow along set of resources for workers in retail, processing and cultivation. So if you’ve been jonesing to explore a different sector of the industry, this is a great place to start your education. And don’t be afraid to think outside the box – you never know where your next opportunity might come from.
Know Your Rights: As workers in the cannabis industry, it’s crucial that we know our rights and advocate for ourselves. This includes understanding labor laws, workplace regulations, and employee protections. Cross reference your employee handbook with your states laws on wages, mass layoffs, etc. You DO have rights in the workplace, there’s no better time than now to learn about and exercise them! Check out our guide on your rights in the workplace here!
Get Involved in Collective Bargaining: Collective bargaining is a powerful tool for workers, especially in a new and rapidly growing industry like cannabis. By joining together with our fellow workers, we can leverage our collective strength to negotiate with employers and demand better treatment and working conditions. Collective bargaining allows us to set standards for wages, benefits, and workplace safety, ensuring that our voices are heard and our rights are protected.
“As demographic and technological changes unfold, collective bargaining can allow companies to adjust wages, working time, work organisation and tasks to new needs in a flexible and pragmatic manner. It can help shaping new rights, adapting existing ones, regulating the use of new technologies, providing active support to workers transitioning to new jobs and anticipating skills needs.” (https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/sites/f312cb04-en/index.html?itemId=/content/component/f312cb04-en
By staying in touch with your former colleagues, you can make change in your future workplaces where layoffs and firings are still likely to occur. Don’t wait for someone else to take the lead – get involved in collective bargaining efforts in your workplace ASAP.
Getting laid off or fired can be a challenging and stressful experience, especially for low-wage workers in the cannabis industry. Cannabis Workers Resource has direct links to file for unemployment as well as a plethora of complaint forms to utilize. But by taking proactive steps like filing for unemployment, assessing your finances, exploring new opportunities, and getting involved in collective bargaining, you can navigate this difficult time with confidence and resilience. Together, we can build a stronger, more equitable cannabis industry that works for everyone.
