Two layoffs brutal, eight-year job search, and the precariousness for horizon only. In The last salary, Margaux Gilquin book frankly its course chaotic.
This is a book that you can’t let go. In The last salary – the award-winning last spring (1) -, Margaux Gilquin, ex-executive secretary, tells the story of ten years of struggling after having been transferred manu militari of a large it group in Paris. Since then, she fights, eyes wide against the adversity. Held by an anger that does not leave it.
“I see the HR department or I jump through the window”
Its history is foremost the – classic – of a company takeover in 2007, turning to the large household. The new “heads have unsoldered my direction,” says Margaux Gilquin. Then comes its turn, via the techniques of harassment. His immediate “boss” wants to resign. “But as for me, I wanted to get my severance pay.”
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One day, convened by its n+1, and the end of humiliation, she threatens to jump out of the window. “I wanted to see the HR on the field. She came in time, and I got a dismissal on economic grounds, with the legal minimum. They have asked me to leave right away. Thrown away as a used goods! In addition, I had to sign a paper committing myself to not say anything or do against them.” It was December 31, 2008. The notice is carried out in it.
On the tile at the age of 48, she is then certain to find a job. She is already bagarrée in order to pick up the tray, and a bilingual certificate in English and a BTS, after studying the times on the later, at 34 years of age. Based in the suburb of paris, it is dedicated to his job search, going to appointments and workshops Pôle emploi, send CV. But no maintenance is in the offing.
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His benefits are based, it runs out… “seeing the lives of others unfold in front of my eyes, without being able to live mine, I déprimais.” In may 2009, it is burn-out. “I was terrified. The doctor told me that even when it was not working, we had the right to do a fat morning. It was necessary that I raise the foot.”
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“I can’t hold up your application, you have the age of my mother.”
Her hand relax in Bordeaux before returning to its “stalking” to jobs in all directions and enrolled in acting. In may 2010, an agency offers her a mission in its strings, but once in the company, it is the cold shower. The young administrative officer, said to me: “I can not retain your application, you have the age of my mother, how could I reprimand if need be?” This kind of remarks, Margaux has heard more than once. “Past 50 years of age, the neurons don’t work the same any more”, “If you are called grandma, bother you?”, “Has your age, a CDD, this will be really good.”
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However, it grows its network, said at the slightest opportunity that she was looking for work, distribute their CV. In December 2010, she “picks up the grail”: a CDI to reorganize a secretariat in the area of transportation of goods. “I was a survivor of unemployment, which savored of work. These 14 months have been great!” Paf. The group is being bought by foreigners. After a year, the axe falls. “The pundits,” according to his words, joined in a starting pot. My colleague then made a sign : they were. I quickly understood that they wanted to reduce the staff”. Follows a classic plan of departure “within the rules”.
CV distributed to Roissy
Return to the box Pôle emploi. And the small jobs are linked – demonstrator-commercial, investigator mystery, the accompanist of children, baby-sitting… – punctuated replacements. In 2014, the end of allowances, Margaux, who has already sent more than 1500 HP in one year (six per day), was the idea of going to the tow in a waiting room of the airport of Roissy, since “among the travellers, there are many business men and women”. “I chose the destination that seemed the most relevant, New York”. Bingo. A week later : she landed a job in London for 4 months.
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After this experience, Margaux decides to explore also in the region of Aquitaine, where are its roots. At the end of the roll, she organizes volunteer expo for a mayor, without the reference of the lift she was hoping for, becomes a lady’s companion to an elderly person…
(1) The final salary at XO Editions (April 2016) awarded the Roof a Citizen, in march 2017, the price of the best book written by an employee.
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last may, she finished a fixed-term employment of six months for Myriam El Khomri, met after the publication of his book. The minister had asked him to conduct a study on the reasons for the under-employment of older workers… Margaux has more of an idea to make them bounce. “In the villages, with a specific allowance, older people, unemployed could be used to support children academically, helping the most fragile.” In the meantime, back to the system D.
(1) The last salary, at XO Editions (April 2016) awarded the Roof a Citizen, in march 2017, the price of the best book written by an employee.
