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I Chose Honesty. That Cost Me a Job
Five minutes prior, they were ready to make me an offer
It was late October and I’d just hung up with Service Canada. The empathetic employee softened her voice to explain that my 36 weeks of unemployment benefits had ended two weeks ago — hence my issues logging in to the report system.
“Wait a second. What?” I stammered, trying to keep composure. “But I thought the cutoff was in December? This can’t be!” Calmly, she explained that it was December or 36 weeks of benefits, whichever came first.
A warning would have been fair!
I couldn’t believe this important piece of information wasn’t made clearer by Service Canada when they first announced to me that I was eligible for unemployment benefits. Following that news, I had no idea how I was going to make up for the $1,100 I’d counted on for November’s rent, only three days away.
While still on the line with the government agent, I tried to think of a job that could pay that quickly.
- Prostitution? My boyfriend wouldn’t allow it.
- Selling some of my belongings — if only I owned anything of real value.
- I’d already tried my luck with the lottery, and since that didn’t work, I wasn’t ready to gamble my last few dollars on such…