David, Charlie and I are still dealing with Charlie being let go from the Airport and if you’ve ever been suspended, fired or you’re laid off and you’re not even sure what happened because somebody simply told you to wait for another call.

Now what is what my family has been wondering and that’s the question we’re answering in Part C of our Teen Entrepreneur: When Plan A Changes series. Because knowing the words is important. But knowing what to do next is even more important.

1. Find Out Your Employment Status: Don’t sit at home guessing. Ask your employer: “Am I still employed?” “Am I suspended?” “Have I been terminated?” “Have I been laid off?” “Am I expected to return to work?” You need an answer. Don’t build your next several weeks around assumptions. Find out what your actual status is.

2. Ask What Happens Next: Once you know your status, ask what you’re supposed to do. Should you report for your next scheduled shift? Should you wait for another call? Is there paperwork you need to complete? Who should you contact if you have questions? When should you expect another update? Write the answers down.

3. Document What Happened– This is one of the biggest lessons I want young workers to learn. Don’t depend completely on your memory. Write down: The date. The time. Who you spoke with.

What you were told. What paperwork you received. What you were asked to sign. When you were told you’d receive another answer. Keep employment-related emails and messages. Keep copies of documents you’re entitled to have. Create your own timeline. If you ever need to explain what happened later, you’ll be glad you did.

4. Don’t Sign Something You Don’t Understand What Your Signing: When Charlie was handed paperwork and told to sign it, he did it without slowing down and reading it. Charlie didn’t ask questions.

We don’t even know if he would understand what he was agreeing to, then asking someone qualified to explain it. Don’t be Charlie and sign something simply because you’re embarrassed to say you don’t understand it.

And if you are unsure about the legal effect of a document, consider getting appropriate legal advice before signing. Asking questions isn’t weakness. It’s responsibility and it keeps you safe.

5. Keep Your Employment Records: If you have access to them, keep your:

• Pay information
• Schedules
• Employee handbook
• Employment-related emails
• Messages
• Written notices
• Documents you’re entitled to keep

You don’t have to create a giant filing cabinet. Even a folder on your computer can help. The goal is simply to know where your important employment information is. Take photos if you can of anything your asked to sign.

6. Be Careful About Recording Conversations: because if your like me you may be tempted to record every conversation. I understand why. But don’t assume that secretly recording a workplace conversation is always legal.

Recording laws can vary depending on the circumstances and the locations involved. A safer first step is to take notes and preserve written communications. If you’re considering recording a conversation, understand the law that applies before you do it. Protecting yourself shouldn’t accidentally create another problem.

7. Look at Your Money Immediately– Which is where young workers need to grow up quickly. If your paycheck has stopped—or might stop—look at your finances. What bills are coming?

How much money do you have? What can you cut? What spending can wait? This is another thing Charlie should have waited on because he purchased a lot of items for his game system and now, he is out of money.

Charlie is trying to figure out how much gas he is going to need and where the money is coming from. I don’t have any money to give him. What payments are non-negotiable? Which includes car payments and insurance. Don’t wait until you’re out of money to ask these questions. A job problem can become a financial problem very quickly which Charlie is learning.

8. Investigate Your Options: If your employment has ended, don’t assume you have no options. Depending on your circumstances, you may want to investigate unemployment benefits.

In Texas, the Texas Workforce Commission handles unemployment claims and determines eligibility under state requirements. You may also need to meet ongoing requirements if you receive benefits, including applicable work-search requirements. Don’t rely on what a friend, relative, or social-media post tells you. Check the actual requirements.

9. Start Looking for Another Opportunity: This is where I keep telling Charlie: Don’t turn waiting into doing nothing. Update your résumé. Look for jobs. Fill out applications. Ask about temporary work.

Explore legitimate opportunities for which you’re eligible. Learn something that could make you more employable. If Plan A works out, great. You haven’t lost anything by preparing. And if Plan A doesn’t work? You’re already moving forward.

Which again isn’t something Charlie is doing. He has filled a few applications out online but he will not check back on them. He isn’t finishing his door dash app or going out and putting out apps even though he has a car payment due next week and we don’t have the money to pay it for him.

10. Build Plan B; This is the entire lesson. Plan B isn’t giving up plan B is preparation. Maybe your original job comes back. Maybe you stay there for years. Maybe you find another employer.

Maybe you start a business. Maybe you discover something you never expected. You don’t have to know the final answer today. You just need to prepare for your next step. Your not going to find a job if you don’t try.

Parents, This Part Is for Us Too: I know what it’s like to want to call. To want answers. To want to fix things. But if our teenagers and young adults never learn how to handle difficult situations themselves, we’re not really preparing them for adulthood.

We can teach. We can encourage. We can help them make a list. We can sit with them while they make a phone call. But whenever possible, let them make the call. Let them ask the question. Let them learn. That’s how independence grows.

And Yes, I’m Talking About Charlie and no, I’m not trying to run your life I’m just sharing what my family is facing because were We’re still living this story and we still don’t know exactly what happens next.

Maybe the phone rings. Maybe the situation is resolved. Maybe it isn’t. But while we’re waiting, there is no reason for Charlie to stop preparing for his future. That’s the lesson I want him to learn.

And it’s the lesson I hope another teenager learns from our experience. You don’t control every decision your employer makes. But you do control what you do next. Make sure its something not nothing like Charlie is doing.

When Plan A Changes: Maybe Plan A works out but maybe it doesn’t. Maybe you get your job back or maybe you find another job. Maybe you start a business. Maybe you discover a completely different path.

Whatever happens, don’t let uncertainty convince you to stop moving. Ask the question. Make the phone call. Document what happened. Look at your money. Apply for the job. Learn something.

Make a plan. And if Plan A doesn’t work? Start building Plan B. Because losing a job—or not knowing what is happening with one—can be scary. But it doesn’t have to define your future.

Sometimes the hardest chapter becomes the chapter where you finally learn how to stand on your own. Teen Entrepreneur: When Plan A Changes Real-life lessons. Practical tools. Faith, family, resilience—and learning how to keep moving forward.

Grateful, Thankful, and Blessed

Thank you,

Glenda, Charlie and David Cates