I'm 17, in a junior in tech high school, majoring in auto body. I've been working at a body shop after school for almost 7 months. I got the job all on my own, walked in, met the owner and was and started two days later. I've worked from 2:30-6:00 during the week, going right from school to work. I've worked full time during all my school vacations and whenever I've had a day off. Next year my school had a co-opt program, where I can work full time, every other week while attending school. The plan has been at my current job, i was going to work full time over the summer, and full time on co-opt in september. Since I've started, I can honestly say that I have NEVER missed a single day, and I have never been late, Im not just saying that, I've literally been there worked every second I could since starting.<br /><br />There are 5 employees in the shop, two being related to the owner, who also plays a part in the "hands on" part of it going some jobs himself.<br /><br />Today I get to work, right after school. My boss pulls me aside, and tells me that he's going to have to lay me off, and that I'm not the only one, He's laying off three of us all together, me and two other full time guys, (they both have families and own homes) His reason for this is, "the phones just aren't ringing" I have noticed that he hasn't been bringing in as many jobs as he did in the past, but I've been busy every day. I was really pissed when he first told me, I got in my truck, peeled out and took off, calmed down, came back 10mins later and got back to my job. He told me that I "can come in" for another week and he's not going to have any work for me over the summer, but "Im the most reliable kid he's ever had" and he'd like to have me working for him on co-opt when things pick up in the fall.<br />I just feel betrayed, like I've done everything I could possible do for this guy, and got screwed. I think he could have at least told me I wouldn't have a job over the summer to give me some time to find something else, having him tell me this really sucked, not a good feeling at all.<br /><br />I drove straight from the body shop, to a local "auto zone" where a friend of mine works, still all wound up. I talked to my friend, then the manager, got for hired on the spot, not even two hours after getting laid off. Thing was, auto zone just really isn't my thing, standing around at a parts counter, in a bright red shirt and dress pants/shoes, not to mention making almost two dollars LESS then I was at the body shop, and standing in one place all day. From auto zone i drove home and ate dinner. While eating, I realized that I couldn't do the auto zone thing, the idea scared me. <br /><br />Back in my truck i go, I drive to my dads restaurant, walk in the front door, and see the guy who runs Herb Chambers, a local Honda dealership. I walk up to him, introduce myself and tell him my situation. Turns out, the one of his employees just lost his license, and he needs a "lot boy"/detailer ASAP. He's willing to start me @ two dollars MORE then I've been making at the body shop, I go to see him right from school Monday.<br /><br />So, lets just say that its been a very crazy/emotional day for me. I'm excited, pissed off,scarred and sad all at the same time. Its going to be a interesting week. 
