I’m not posting here anymore but decided to at least drop by and post a short update to those who might be interested on what happened at my H’s unfair dismissal court case last week:

My H's court case started Monday (20 Nov) last week. I accompanied my H to the Labor Court. The next day (21 Nov) the company my H had the case against approached him with an offer to settle out of court (for a lump-sum amount) and after some negotiations my H accepted a final offer from them. Part of the reason my H decided to settle in stead of proceeding with the court case is because the company would have done everything in their power to fight reinstatement and/or maximum compensation the Labor Law offers to the unfair dismissed employee. My H had a very strong case but they wanted to fight "dirty" in court. It was clear that they didn’t want him back so if the court would have eventually reinstated him, my H would have probably got victimized by the employer again so in the end the settlement was the better option.

The court case is officially over because of the settlement and my H (and I) are both satisfied with the settlement amount. The 2 days in court court last week was emotionally draining & exchausting... We are so relieved everything is over so that we can finally move forward with our lives and leave this behind.

However, my H still have to find another secure/permanent job. A while ago my H started to do part-time/contract work at a good company in our city and if everything goes well, they might approach him with a permanent job offer in a few months time. We’ll hope and pray for this. My H’s name is also now “cleared” from the dismissal issue since 3 years ago so he stands a better chance to be accepted for a job at other companies he might apply for.

After everything that happened, we still have a lot to be thankful for.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2007 to all! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Suzet

Suzet...

I understand all too well what you are saying about settling vs proceeding..

my prayer for you is you take the money and get the he$$ out of dodge...

I would never ever choose to raise my children in the part of the world you are in....

take the money and run.....
there's a huge big world out here.....

ARK

Suzet - thanks for updating us. I hope you can now proceed with your IVF treatment - I know it had to be put on hold because of the court case.

What a weight off your shoulders. I hope your husband does manage to get a new job soon. His self-esteem will have taken a huge knock over the past couple of years - he must be relieved it's over.

And yes, perhaps a fresh start somewhere else might be on the cards - how would your husband feel about moving?
Take care. TT

Hi TT! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I’ve sent you and update (e-mail) on my H’s case last week Wednesday and after I haven’t received a response back from you I’ve send you another one again yesterday... Did you not receive it?

Suzet

Good to hear it is over, and that you and your husband are happy with the results! Hopefully he will get a good job and things will get better.

I've been away for a long weekend and got back to an unfinished assignment for a college course I'm doing, so I've had no time to reply!

Oh, at least I know you've received my mail!

Thanks for good wishes believer.

Suzet... does the resolution of this court case and the settlement you received allow you to leave your job now? I would imagine that your H will be able to find some work and that you can look elsewhere for employment. Can you leave work immediately and use the funds received as a cushion until you find new work? I am glad this has all worked out for you.

MEDC, the answer is no on both questions. Approximately 40% of my H’s settlement money must go to the tax man and most part of the other 60% of the money left will cover lost funds (including my H’s pension fund) during the past 3 years. Therefore I will only leave my current job as soon as I can find employment elsewhere.

Suzet,

This is great news. I understand the decision to settle rather than fight all the way in court.

I would also like to thank you for the support you gave me when I first posted here in 2005. Your advice was very helpful to me and instrumental in helping me fix myself and recovering my marriage.

I lived in Joburg for a year in the 70's and have been back to SA several times to visit - most recently in 2004. I completely understand the economic realities you have described because I hear the same thing from family I have there.

I wish you and your husband much happiness in the future.

double post. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

Suzet !!

It's good to hear from you, and thanks for the update.
I hope everything else is good at your house too !!

I know there are many difficult parts to life, but I hope the good ones out weigh the bad.

I understand your decision to stay away from MB, but you will be missed.

Best wishes, and God be with you.

SS

Eagle – Thanks for your good wishes! I’m glad my posts back then was helpful to you. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

You said you lived in Joburg for a year in the 70’s and that you have family still living there. Were you born in SA or did some of your family moved here long ago? I was born in ’73…so the time you lived here I was still a baby or young child.

Still seeking – Thanks for your good wishes too! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Everything is going fine at home and things are also going well between me and hubby.

Yesterday I decided I will not completely stay away from MB so you will still see me posting now and then. I’m going on leave in a week’s time and will then only be back after the New Year.

God Bless.

Hi Suzet,

No, not born there. I was an exchange student. My host family I still consider "family" and have almost daily contact with to this day (the internet is a wonderful thing for keeping in touch over long distance). I still love SA deeply and will be back for visits.

Congrats Suzet on your husband's case now being settled. I was just brushing through some old posts. I hope he was well compensated. Too bad, he didn't get his job back but the cash was better than the risk of losing.

TooSoon

TooSoon

I wanted to send an update to this thread and then saw your response for the first time. Thanks.

To others who might be interested:

Hubby is still without a permanent job but is doing contract work at a company in our town. He has been working there since last year December. He very much enjoys the work he is doing there and is getting excellent knowledge and experience in the IT field at the moment. However, my H still needs a fixed income and the security of a permanent job and is therefore still on the lookout for secured jobs at other companies. A while ago he was invited for an interview at one company but was again rejected because of “affirmative action”. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

Therefore hubby and I still need to put the infertility treatment (in-vitro process called ICSI) on hold until his job situation gets settled with a fixed and secure income. With the treatment we will stand a small chance of getting a twin (or even triplet!) and with the high cost to raise children these days in this country we can’t take any chances.

A while ago I’ve also applied for a job in my field of experience which became vacant at a company in my town. I wasn’t invited for an interview or received any response from them.

I know it’s a bit late into the new year (I rarely visit the boards these days), but I do want to use this as an opportunity to wish everyone God’s Bless and a prosperous 2007!

Take care,
Suzet

Hope & pray all goes well for all your hopes and dreams

good to hear your H case is over and you both can get on with your lives together.

AW

<img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

(((((Suzet)))))

I don't know how I missed your original post, but I am very glad that things seem to have worked out in the best way for you and your husband.

Continued best wishes and prayers that your husband gains full time employment, that you can find the job you want, and that God will bless you both with a child.

God bless.

(((((Aussieswife and ForeverHers)))))

Thanks to both of you for your responses and good wishes. It means a lot to me...

God Bless,
Suzet