Are You Ready to Take Action?

I think you’ll find this post is different from my typical format.  But then, these aren’t typical times, are they?

It’s in 2 parts and each offers information and suggestions for action. 

First. This is a political issue that might be impacting you or those you know.  I’m sharing it in the hope that  it sparks a flame — to encourage you to take action on a political level

I’ve been working with people living with unpredictable and debilitating chronic conditions for 20 years.  A large portion of my clients are either working as independent contractors or wanting to become independent contractors.  For as long as I’ve been at this, I’ve been saying that when you live with debilitating chronically difficult health, the single most important factor in being able to continue to work is to have flexibility.  And the easiest way to get that is as an independent contractor (also known as freelancer).

It’s not a lifestyle for everyone.  One downside to independent contractor work is that you aren’t entitled to an employer’s benefits plans. Even before the pandemic, there were legislative efforts ostensibly to protect workers rights.  When CA passed a law  (A.B.5) making it much more difficult for employers to hire workers on a contract basis, other states started to do the same. But soon constituents who are contract workers mobilized to block such legislation saying it was crushing their businesses.  The concern now is that this issue has entered national politics. Read this to learn more

Needless say, with so many pressing issues in front of us and because this legislation only directly impacts a small segment of society,  this is not a hot topic in social media or cable news. I wasn’t aware of it until a client, who lives in CA, told me that A.B.5 was forcing her to close her business.  She lives with Crohn’s and has spent the last 10 years working really hard to transform her skills from public school teacher to freelance editor. 

She wrote this to me,  “Among the many groups this law affects are those who are chronically ill who have found a way to work. Someone telling me when to work and where will make me sick. I went from multiple streams of income to one paycheck per month, and possibly soon to be zero. The worst part is Biden is a strong supporter of making this a nationwide law. So I have to vote for Trump in order to stay healthy?! What a mess.”

Legislation that sounds like it is intended to protect workers is forcing her to close her business.  All contract workers in CA (and anywhere this or similar legislation is passed) will suffer.  I Don’t Want To Be Anyone’s Employee.  But my client and so many like her have very limited options.  How about you?

If you’re asking yourself, Can I Do Anything About This?  The answer is YES. 

1. Read this to learn more
2. Find out what is happening in your state and who is organizing around it (Organizing groups often have a FB page – or twitter). Or see who is organizing around this on the federal level (write Joe Biden’s campaign). 
3. Tell YOUR story.

If this inspires  you to act or you just want to share your thoughts, I’d love to hear from you.

And now, the second piece of information/action:  Are you wanting to, needing to, make changes in your work life? 

The 4th Edition of the Keep Working with Chronic Illness Workbook is released. This edition incorporates some new tools and reflects insights I’ve learned from using these tools with clients over the past 20 years.

Here’s a glimpse of the TOC:

Part I: My Daily Practice    Take your pulse, Set Intention

Part II: My Personal Profile   Strengths, Tasks, Symptoms and impact, Values, Prioritizing

Part III: My New Path in Job or Career     Goal setting, Research, Networking

 

My Offer: 

• If you purchased the 3rd edition within the past year or received it as my client, I would be delighted to share this updated version, at no charge.  Just email me with your shout out that you want it.
• If you purchase the Workbook by August 31, 2000, I will include two, one hour meetings at no charge. 

I’m looking forward to hearing what action you take in the next day, week or month ahead.