Not solely, no. There's more, but if you don't know already what I'm talking about, you wouldn't understand what it is you are doing wrong no matter how many times I explained it. (And I have, in the past.)
Thank you to all! I had a feeling that I would most likely qualify, but I wasn't sure if it would be a termination of employment or if I voluntarily quit, or what. There were some questions asked in your responses: would I have to re-apply for the job? I did fill out new employee paperwork, partly in order to get paid by my new employer and partly because of course the old company doesn't really exist anymore. I've also been told that they're going to do a background check, a drug test, and a Wonderlic test. I imagine if any one of these test results, or a combination of them, aren't satisfactory they could terminate me (I don't do drugs though and have never been arrested).
I feel better about this now though, so thank you. My concern now is that many of the employees are very scared. My lead CSR just handed in her 2 weeks notice, our Controller is actively looking for a new job. So my fear is some sort of mass exodus which will leave me without a job, period, sooner rather than later. Otherwise, it was my intention to actually remain here as long as it is still here in Jacksonville, and I hoped it would be for another 5 months at least so that we could save money and I could transition into pseudo-maternity leave, and then look for a job a couple months after the baby comes. I suppose I wouldn't be able to get unemployment then though as, if I'm on "maternity leave" with no intention to be working, I wouldn't qualify.
From what I have seen, the worst mistake you can make is to quickly jump out and quit this new job while it is still in the old location. Continue to work at the current job, at the current site, as long as they are located there. If the staff dwindles to where you can no longer do a good job at your job, just hang in there, do your best, and continue to work there until they shut the doors or tell you that you no longer have the job. EVEN if they announce that they're "transferring" you to the other work site. At that point, you tell them than you do not accept the transfer, that you will not be there, and you are no longer working for them. If they were to tell you that you were not being rehired at the new company, of course you'd file immediately for unemployment benefits, explaining what they'd told you and let them sort this termination out.
(Incidentally, this being bought out and moved to a new location is not the same as them calling you in and telling you that your job has been changed though they are still in operation here in this location. This is where they are leaving you. It is their fault you are no longer employed at a job at this location. Moving the worksite to another place is very likely going to be considered a significant change in your work situation, created by the company and a very reasonable reason for you to refuse to continue.)
Now, about your pregnancy. There is no reason you cannot draw unemployment insurance while pregnant unless you are on full bed rest and unable to work. There is no reason why you cannot make appropriate work searches for a job in your current area, where you plan on staying, while you are pregnant. Unless your doctor puts you on complete bed rest, you can continue to draw unemployment benefits up till the time of the baby's birth, making your work searches as appropriate.
After all, if the greatest dream job you ever heard of fell into your lap while you are pregnant and job searching, say with excellent child care on the site, you'd CONSIDER taking it, wouldn't you? Don't think your way out of drawing benefits just because you don't think you'd qualify, or don't think you'd want to go back to work after the baby comes. It is tricky to get employers to hire you while you're pregnant, but it has happened, and pregnancy cannot be considered a disqualifying circumstance for unemployment unless you, the claimant, state that you would not make a job search and will NOT accept another job no matter what, because you're pregnant. Why say that until presented with the circumstances in which that actually happens? So even if you are offered no option but a transfer now, you file for benefits, pregnant as you are. You'll likely be approved, and you'll be able to draw up till you can no longer state that you are able and available and actively seeking work. Then you stop filing for benefits. Depending on the circumstances, that could be the actual day the baby is born.
Once you have had the baby, you can reopen your claim if you have one from before the baby came, and begin drawing again and making your job searches as soon as your doctor has released you to return to work, even if you do not have a job to return to. You will qualify for about 26 weeks of benefits, most likely, and you have a year to draw them all out while seeking anoth
Thank you so much! I feel so much better knowing I can still bring in some money for the family, even if worse comes to worst. The situation stinks, to be frank. For instance, I can certainly see my lead CSR's departure reigniting the fears for the rest of the small CS staff, and I've been there before: the CS staff quits or is fired, and I'm left, alone, to do my job and their job until we hire more people- but then you have to train them, etc., etc. Anyways, I truly appreciate your advice, it has really helped me!