I was employed in an LTC/Rehab last month and I quit after 2 weeks of orientation because I felt that I will not be able to handle efficiently 70 patients/residents (am a fresh grad). I tendered resignation verbally with the DON and she accepted it. We parted in good terms.
Today, I requested HR for certification stating that I am no longer connected with them. HR told me that I have not given them a written resignation and that I should have given two weeks notice. As far as they are concerned, I am AWOL.
Why did I miss doing that, giving a written resignation letter? I should have known better. But now that I am thinking about it, I realized that I did not sign any employment contract, did not have a copy of employment handbook, that my employment was verbal and "at will" state, and that I only signed off an application form, and W-4, nothing more. How did I let this happen? I guess I was so occupied with my new job.... anxious, scared, stressed, overwhelmed, etc.
I do not want to have a bad record so I have to clear this resignation issue with HR. Is it right for me to say that I did not give a written notice of my resignation because I did not sign an employment contract nor received a copy of employee handbook?
..... need your help badly before I meet with HR tomorrow afternoon. Hoping to hear for some good advise soon, please. Thanks in advance.
Specializes in med-surg, psych, ER, school nurse-CRNP.
Not only did I hand in a written letter of resignation, I made 3 copies. I kept one, had a coworker keep one, filed another, and handed one in. Smartest move I ever made. They claimed that they never got the notice, but by being anal, I had them over a barrel. This was the same facility where the charge nurse my last weekend told me that I had to give a month's notice (I am in an at-will state as well). I told her that my notice had been worked out between myself and the DON.
Her parting shot?
"I'd be real careful going home tonight...traffic can get real NASTY about 7 o'clock"
I will never forget that. These places can be vicious. I agree with the letter, certified mail, handed in, AND filed.
And, if you're AWOL, and have been for 2 weeks, whay have they not called you before now to see what was up?
and if HR was concerned about you being AWOL how come they have not sent you a certified letter to that affect? Do they not communicate with the DON? Sounds like some clerk is just making an issue over a piece of paper to complete his/her file. Caliotter3 had great advice
thank you to each and everyone who gave their advice and feedback.... i am so touched of how concerned everyone is..........
so here's what happened:
i had a pleasant meeting with everyone. i came in to the hr office with a sweet smile and an exchange of "how are you's?" with the mgr. i did not have to say another word .... hrm started talking and explaining to me almost to the context of what zookeeper3 said..... [color=#4f81bd]" while in orientation, our employees may quit without notice at anytime. actually our probation is 90 days, anyone can quit with in that time with no notice, no reprocussions. if you were in probationary time, my belief is that it cannot be held against you.... but we do require a written letter. this may simply be a formality that once the letter is received you are cleared from that facility." ( come to think about it now, elpark --- i think she was the one being defensive, but she was nice though).
going back..... before i went to the facility, i thought of hitting two birds in one stone since i'll be seeing everyone there anyway. first, to get my certification and secondly, to ask the don if their door is still open for me... and yes.... she said it has always been open for me. so i told her that i will be very much interested in 3-11 shift (to handle around 30 residents only). she said she will call me when something comes up for that shift. ( i was thinking, could this really be true?) btw, when i quit, i told don and sd that it's either i will die first or risk patients safety if i continue to work at night shift..... i do not want them to be in trouble because of me.
so, i gave my written letter of resignation to hr cc don. but i was asked by hrm to come back tomorrow for the certification since she was about to leave for an appointment. she gave me her cp no and asked me to call before coming to ensure that she's there and that the letter is ready. (she gave me her cp no. ---- that was so nice, i do not have to wait and park a long time on the switchboard for her).
that was it! julesa,elkpark,and nursemike, i am so glad i was able to read your feedback before i signed off this pm... --- you gave me a great idea! classicdame, angelfirern, kyrshamarks, and straydandelion --- thank you, too!
p.s.
guys, you made me confident facing everyone. i was so scared and ashamed to go there.... but when my colleagues saw me, they were all smiles asking if i am already coming back.... others did not ask but rather told me i should be back.......... adon was happy to see and spent a minute w me to ask how i am. even the rehab admin whose name i do not know was smiling at me...
thank you, god, for these wonderful people i've met in allnurses.com and at my previous job! even though they won't be able to hire me back ---- i feel just great! good night guys! :loveya:
Specializes in med-surg, psych, ER, school nurse-CRNP.
Eh. She was a blowhard. Not to scare anyone, but i live in Alabama. I have a concealed carry permit, and I USE IT! That's how us country girls roll, heck, you're practically issued a gun with your birth certificate.
I am also trained in martial arts, so I wasn't worried that much. Made me madder than it did anything.
And no, I'm not some trigger-happy redneck. Never had a cause to use mine, but it's there and I know how. These days, and even back then, a girl can't be too careful.
i found out today that they hired somebody for the schedule i requested.... this means that i won't have opportunity to be re-hired by same facility ....
however, i have no regrets because i learned from what i did (thanks to everyone who gave good advise) .... and besides, i got a new job - in a better facility, friendlier and supportive colleagues and management.... best of all, i'll be handling no more than 32 interesting residents.... it is not a perfect place but its a lot better environment for me....
i won't be ashamed to God when i reconcile myself before i sleep because i will spend time serving His people again.... goodbye coach and ncis, svu, csi ... good bye mall........
Type up a written resignation citing something like, "This is to confirm my verbal resignation on date, given to and accepted by name of person. Request this written confirmation of my verbal resignation be entered into my employment file." Whether you hand deliver a copy or not, (they most likely will tell you they will not accept it), send a copy certfied mail, return receipt requested. It might not be overkill to also send a copy to the manager who accepted your resignation. Learn from this.
AngelfireRN, MSN, RN, APRN
2 Articles; 1,291 Posts
Not only did I hand in a written letter of resignation, I made 3 copies. I kept one, had a coworker keep one, filed another, and handed one in. Smartest move I ever made. They claimed that they never got the notice, but by being anal, I had them over a barrel. This was the same facility where the charge nurse my last weekend told me that I had to give a month's notice (I am in an at-will state as well). I told her that my notice had been worked out between myself and the DON.
Her parting shot?
"I'd be real careful going home tonight...traffic can get real NASTY about 7 o'clock"
I will never forget that. These places can be vicious. I agree with the letter, certified mail, handed in, AND filed.
And, if you're AWOL, and have been for 2 weeks, whay have they not called you before now to see what was up?
This stinks.