What to do, what to do? New Job SS

ufcrusher · 12-10-2003, 10:04 PM

I am in a bit of a bind with my new job. During my interview, I informed them that I had a pre-existing obligation out of state from Dec 17th - Jan 3rd. He said that he would keep that in mind but if he hired me that we could work around my trip. Of course thats easy to say during the interview.

When I was hired, he once again reiterated that we would work it out...that I could possibly get a laptop and do the work while I was away. Then the first day, he said that he had thought about it and didnt think that was such a wise idea since I would need the support staff, printer, and A LOT of paper. So now I have to figure out what to do.

The tickets are non-refundable and not subject to any changes. On top of that it affects two other people who are going with me. I would basically have to leave my fiance in another state without her family or me during the holidays. My boss offered to pay for part of a new ticket but only up to a certain limit....which I cant find any tickets for.

Finally, my boss isnt even going to be there for almost the entire time I am gone. Which means that even if I get another flight, he isnt going to be there to answer any quetions.

Ladogaboy · 12-11-2003, 12:37 AM

Just tell him that, per your original agreement, you will be taking that time to go on the trip. I know that my priorities are all askew, but I tend to put loved ones and family members above careers. A job is just a job, after all.

Jeffbx · 12-11-2003, 05:31 AM

How upset would you be if you lost the job? If you don't think you'll have a problem getting something else, push him to uphold his side of the agreement. Be as accomodating as possible, but also keep in mind that it might get to a point where you have to make a choice whether to stay with them.

That's a tough call to make... good luck!

jase71 · 12-11-2003, 05:40 AM

Gonna agree with Jeffbx...

If you are fairly confident in being able to find a replacement job, push hard to take the time away as agreed on. You were more than forthcoming in mentioning it before and after being hired. You certainly didn't spring it on them out of the blue.

It also doesn't bode well for the future. If they're willing to reneg on something as big as this, so soon after hiring you, they're certainly not going to feel guilty about doing it to you again... and again... and again... This will just set the precedent for what they can get away with.

ray · 12-11-2003, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jase71
Gonna agree with Jeffbx...

If you are fairly confident in being able to find a replacement job, push hard to take the time away as agreed on. You were more than forthcoming in mentioning it before and after being hired. You certainly didn't spring it on them out of the blue.

It also doesn't bode well for the future. If they're willing to reneg on something as big as this, so soon after hiring you, they're certainly not going to feel guilty about doing it to you again... and again... and again... This will just set the precedent for what they can get away with.

whitak24 · 12-12-2003, 10:04 AM

wow dude, that sucks.

threaten to sue him for breach of the employment agreement

seriously though, i hope you can work something out. it sucks when employers lean on you like that.....and sometimes in a bad economy you have to suck it up......anyway, good luck

ray · 12-12-2003, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by whitak24
wow dude, that sucks.

threaten to sue him for breach of the employment agreement

I would totally support that argument for a frivolous lawsuit, but if it's not in writing it would be tough for him to prove it was agreed upon.

Grimm · 12-12-2003, 11:57 AM

A couple things to consider here.
First is the value you place on your family/friends.
Second is how much you feel like being walked on for the rest of your time in that office.

You should write a letter explaining your position in the matter. If the planned trip was going to be a problem with employing you it should have been handled prior to, or as part of the offer. Explain that the cost to reschedule the trip would be for 3 tickets not 1 and that even one ticket was more than he was willing to pay for. Be polite but firm.

This event sets the tone for your relationship with that firm. If you bend over and take it now you will be doing it the entire time you are there. You will hate that job. Why worry about keeping a job you hate?
How do you want your boss to think of you? A good lackey? Or a lawyer that he can count on to be aggressive and go out to do what needs to be done. Like it or not, they hired you for your appearance as well as your skills. Presentation is important. In a courtroom you will need to take and authoratively hold a jury's attention. If you turn out to be wishy washy and weak, do they really want you?
Is he testing you?

Kim · 12-12-2003, 01:33 PM

Good luck!!

Welcome back Grimm!

whitak24 · 12-12-2003, 02:41 PM

grimm, good to see you around here

bm47076 · 12-14-2003, 03:58 AM

i would go on your trip. it is improbable that your boss could find a trained replacement for you by the 17th, so it would be stupid to fire you. If he didnt threaten to fire you i doubt he will.

Jeffbx · 12-15-2003, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bm47076
i would go on your trip. it is improbable that your boss could find a trained replacement for you by the 17th, so it would be stupid to fire you. If he didnt threaten to fire you i doubt he will.

If I just hired someone & they unexpectedly took off 2-1/2 weeks (regardless of the circumstances), they would be gone & I'd have a replacement sitting at their desk before they even returned from the trip. That's not exactly setting a good example for the new job.

Grubbie · 12-15-2003, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jeffbx

If I just hired someone & they unexpectedly took off 2-1/2 weeks (regardless of the circumstances), they would be gone & I'd have a replacement sitting at their desk before they even returned from the trip. That's not exactly setting a good example for the new job.

But if you TOLD them before hand you were, and they hired you anyway.....

I have been lucky(college student) and all my co-ops(another word for internships at my school) mostly started in jan so I can take 2 weeks off before hand. But My last job didn't care that I was going to be leaving for a week and a half, cause I told them about it in the interview...

Take note now, these are lowly internships, might not be the same for your position.

Jeffbx · 12-15-2003, 10:18 AM

Yeah, it's a little different in the 'real world'. Companies can agree to a number of things when they hire you, but unless you get it in writing, they have you by the short ones.

Changing their mind after the fact doesn't speak well for the company at all, but that's up to them. If they want to treat employees like that, they have every right to do so, as long as they're not violating any contractual (written) agreements or labor laws.

Since this is more of an employers market these days, employers can pull such crap & get away with it. Sure, you can quit if you don't like it, but you might not find a new job.

Dilbert wouldn't be as funny if it weren't true!

Joshua · 12-16-2003, 08:20 AM

...can't say it enough. "Get it in writing". Sorry to hear your boss is a jerk.

Grimm · 12-19-2003, 03:55 PM

ufcrusher: Last Post: 12-10-2003 09:04 PM

So, did he go? Or is he sitting at work today realizing that he will not be needed at all untill about January 5th.

ray · 12-19-2003, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Grimm
ufcrusher: Last Post: 12-10-2003 09:04 PM

So, did he go? Or is he sitting at work today realizing that he will not be needed at all untill about January 5th.

12-10-2003, 10:04 PM	#1
ufcrusher Admiral Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Boca Raton, FL: By way of: Poway, CA; Gainesville, Fl; Penn Valley, Pa. Posts: 5,680	What to do, what to do? New Job SS I am in a bit of a bind with my new job. During my interview, I informed them that I had a pre-existing obligation out of state from Dec 17th - Jan 3rd. He said that he would keep that in mind but if he hired me that we could work around my trip. Of course thats easy to say during the interview. When I was hired, he once again reiterated that we would work it out...that I could possibly get a laptop and do the work while I was away. Then the first day, he said that he had thought about it and didnt think that was such a wise idea since I would need the support staff, printer, and A LOT of paper. So now I have to figure out what to do. The tickets are non-refundable and not subject to any changes. On top of that it affects two other people who are going with me. I would basically have to leave my fiance in another state without her family or me during the holidays. My boss offered to pay for part of a new ticket but only up to a certain limit....which I cant find any tickets for. Finally, my boss isnt even going to be there for almost the entire time I am gone. Which means that even if I get another flight, he isnt going to be there to answer any quetions. __________________ Welcome my son, welcome to the machine...Where have you been? It's alright we know where you've been....

12-11-2003, 12:37 AM	#2
Ladogaboy Admiral Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Hiding amongst the minnows Posts: 6,843	Just tell him that, per your original agreement, you will be taking that time to go on the trip. I know that my priorities are all askew, but I tend to put loved ones and family members above careers. A job is just a job, after all. __________________ It is not enough to merely touch the face of god; you also must open your eyes so that you may see your palm.

12-11-2003, 05:40 AM	#4
jase71 Rear Admiral Lower Half Join Date: May 2000 Location: East of Eden Posts: 2,060	Gonna agree with Jeffbx... If you are fairly confident in being able to find a replacement job, push hard to take the time away as agreed on. You were more than forthcoming in mentioning it before and after being hired. You certainly didn't spring it on them out of the blue. It also doesn't bode well for the future. If they're willing to reneg on something as big as this, so soon after hiring you, they're certainly not going to feel guilty about doing it to you again... and again... and again... This will just set the precedent for what they can get away with. __________________ And I found that hope and a lucky card were all I had to walk with me...

12-12-2003, 01:33 PM	#9
Kim Eternally Ensign Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Utah Posts: 4,573	Good luck!! Welcome back Grimm! __________________ Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. That way, you'll be a mile from them, and you'll have their shoes. --Jack Handey Deep Thoughts

12-16-2003, 08:20 AM	#15
Joshua Rear Admiral Upper Half Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 3,390	...can't say it enough. "Get it in writing". Sorry to hear your boss is a jerk. __________________ The Apexer formerly known as SnotRocket. "Like I **ing said, "Ok, so I hear it may be a repost. Blah But I had never seen it, so..." ** you Canta." -Jenny 12/4/2003

12-11-2003, 05:31 AM	#3
Jeffbx Fleet Admiral Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Michigan Posts: 9,390	How upset would you be if you lost the job? If you don't think you'll have a problem getting something else, push him to uphold his side of the agreement. Be as accomodating as possible, but also keep in mind that it might get to a point where you have to make a choice whether to stay with them. That's a tough call to make... good luck!

12-12-2003, 10:04 AM	#6
whitak24 easily amused Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: my office Posts: 9,781	wow dude, that sucks. threaten to sue him for breach of the employment agreement seriously though, i hope you can work something out. it sucks when employers lean on you like that.....and sometimes in a bad economy you have to suck it up......anyway, good luck

12-12-2003, 11:57 AM	#8
Grimm 100% Pure Evil Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 7,861	A couple things to consider here. First is the value you place on your family/friends. Second is how much you feel like being walked on for the rest of your time in that office. You should write a letter explaining your position in the matter. If the planned trip was going to be a problem with employing you it should have been handled prior to, or as part of the offer. Explain that the cost to reschedule the trip would be for 3 tickets not 1 and that even one ticket was more than he was willing to pay for. Be polite but firm. This event sets the tone for your relationship with that firm. If you bend over and take it now you will be doing it the entire time you are there. You will hate that job. Why worry about keeping a job you hate? How do you want your boss to think of you? A good lackey? Or a lawyer that he can count on to be aggressive and go out to do what needs to be done. Like it or not, they hired you for your appearance as well as your skills. Presentation is important. In a courtroom you will need to take and authoratively hold a jury's attention. If you turn out to be wishy washy and weak, do they really want you? Is he testing you?

12-12-2003, 02:41 PM	#10
whitak24 easily amused Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: my office Posts: 9,781	grimm, good to see you around here

12-14-2003, 03:58 AM	#11
bm47076 Lieutenant Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: San Diego, by way of Austin Tx Posts: 359	i would go on your trip. it is improbable that your boss could find a trained replacement for you by the 17th, so it would be stupid to fire you. If he didnt threaten to fire you i doubt he will.

12-15-2003, 10:18 AM	#14
Jeffbx Fleet Admiral Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Michigan Posts: 9,390	Yeah, it's a little different in the 'real world'. Companies can agree to a number of things when they hire you, but unless you get it in writing, they have you by the short ones. Changing their mind after the fact doesn't speak well for the company at all, but that's up to them. If they want to treat employees like that, they have every right to do so, as long as they're not violating any contractual (written) agreements or labor laws. Since this is more of an employers market these days, employers can pull such crap & get away with it. Sure, you can quit if you don't like it, but you might not find a new job. Dilbert wouldn't be as funny if it weren't true!

12-19-2003, 03:55 PM	#16
Grimm 100% Pure Evil Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 7,861	ufcrusher: Last Post: 12-10-2003 09:04 PM So, did he go? Or is he sitting at work today realizing that he will not be needed at all untill about January 5th.

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