Current job won't give the day off for new job orientation.

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in Med-surge, hospice, LTC, tele, rehab.

I have resigned from my current job about a week and a half ago. I have been very unhappy there for a while now. I gave them a month notice and am faithfully finishing it as much as I hate it there. My boss already had my schedule made out before I found out for sure I had my new job. They day I found out I got my new job I gave my current boss my resignation.

So I asked my current boss if I could take one of my unused vacation days to go to orientation for my new job (there were tons of nurses scheduled for that particular day and they will probably wind up calling somebody off anyway) or if she could switch me to another day that week. She acted really rude about it like she wasn't going to help me out a bit. She said she'd get back to me and let me know. What would you do in this situation?

I called the new job and explained the situation and they said they would work around it if I couldn't get the day off but I think this is very petty of my boss. I tried to do things the honest way and ask off instead of just calling in sick that day and she has to be petty about it. It's one of the reasons I am leaving my current job...crappy, petty managers. I know they don't really owe me anything because I am leaving and I guess they are disgruntled about it but still...at least I am trying to be an adult about the situation.

The people there are very bad about switching days or God forbid doing anyone else a favor. So I don't see that happening. They say if you call in sick during your month notice, they can put you down as a no-rehire. My loyalties are with my new job and I'm not letting this current job ruin it though I'm sure the people at my current job would love to see that happen. What should I do? I know the new job said they'd work around it but it still makes me really mad. I lose more and more respect for my current job by the minute. I guess I just needed to vent. :mad:

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

I called the new job and explained the situation and they said they would work around it if I couldn't get the day off but I think this is very petty of my boss.

If your new employer is willing to be flexible ... then work it out with them. Don't do anything to burn your bridges with the old boss. It's tempting to throw a temper tantrum ... or call in sick ... or do something else that might cause you to be labeled as "ineligible for rehire," but don't do it. You never know when something like that will come back to haunt you.

The "right" thing to do should have happened when you accepted your new job. You "should" have told them that you would not be available to start work until "___ date" -- becasue you would have to work out your notice at your current employer. They should understand that and be happy to hear that you are an honorable person who would not leave an employer at without working out your notice.

I know it is not pleasant to work out your notice, but it is your obligation and something that an honorable person should do. It seems that your new employer understands this and is being nice about it. Be happy that it is working out so well for you and that you are able to "do the right thing" without jeopardizing your new job. That's the way it is supposed to work out.

Good luck to you in your new job.

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

I agree with llg. Just be patient. This too shall pass.

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Specializes in Med-surge, hospice, LTC, tele, rehab.

Thank you for your replies. I did make my new job aware that I was going to give my current job a 4 week notice and they expected it and appreciated that I did it. But the new job orientation only falls on certain days and I need to have it done before I can be put on the schedule of the new job. I just wanted to get orientation out of the way so I can start my new job as soon as possible. I am looking forward to getting started. My real frustration is with my current job and just the pettiness and unwillingness to be adult about the situation and knowing it probably makes my current boss happy to ruin orientation on my new job for me as a punishment for leaving or something. Grrrr!

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Specializes in chemical dependency detox/psych.

When I was in this situation in the past, I told my boss when I needed off. I didn't ask. Unfortunately, since you've already put it out there, I think you'll just have to grin and bear it. Just think how happy you'll be to walk out of there on your last day.

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It would have been easier to call in sick. Not surprised that the soon to be former employer is not going to be cooperative.

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Specializes in Med-surge, hospice, LTC, tele, rehab.
It would have been easier to call in sick. Not surprised that the soon to be former employer is not going to be cooperative.

The reason I didn't call in sick is because I was told that if you call in sick during your month's notice, you are not eligible for rehire. That's the only reason I am giving them a 4 week notice anyway...to be able to say I am eligible for rehire in case I need to put this current job on a resume. So I tried to do things the honest way and my boss is being petty about it.

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*clip* My real frustration is with my current job and just the pettiness and unwillingness to be adult about the situation and knowing it probably makes my current boss happy to ruin orientation on my new job for me as a punishment for leaving or something. Grrrr!

As llg has said, Do not burn any bridges with your current employer. You may someday apply for a job at another hospital and when you walk in to the interview, see your current boss sitting behind the desk!!

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Specializes in med/surg/tele/neuro/rehab/corrections.

You could call in the night before and ask to be on call or called off if they have too many nurses. Your boss won't be involved, it would just be the house supervisor you are requesting from. Try that. You won't know if you get the day off until about 5am however.

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Just so you know, a company can put you on "not eligible for rehire" status for any reason they would like.

In a perfect world this would not be a big deal. However it isn't a perfect world. I would have handled it differently from the start, but that bridge has been crossed. From the sounds of things, your manager might be being a bit petty, you might be projecting your feelings about your current place of employment, and likely it is a little of both.

I know you want your employer to do what is "right" in your eyes. However, you already said that your new employer has said you can work around it. Just work around it. Dwelling on these things aren't making you feel any better and I guarantee your manager isn't sitting at home getting worked up over you leaving.

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I would ask around to find my own coverage for the days you need. Anything you can't get coverage for can be worked out with the new employer.

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Specializes in Acute Spine, Neuro, Thoracic's, LTC.

I wouldn't have given them a choice to begin with...

I just recently found a new job as well. My current job has been treating me terrible for a while now. I simply told them when I gave my notice that I needed the 4th off for orientation at my new job and that if they could do that then I could give them a months notice and if not I would have to make the 3rd my last day and give them only the required 2 weeks notice. They chose to give me the day I needed off.

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