Consequences of Breaking Contract

[bklyncat]

Hi, I'm a single mom of 3 who has been working at a for profit clinic for 4 months. Since starting this job my daughter's mental health issues have gotten worse. I need to switch jobs so I can ensure the safety of my family. I put notice in and was told there's a 60 day notice period per the contract. The situation at home is not tenable for 60 days. Does anyone know what my employer can do if I broke the contract?  I'm in the process of finding a lawyer to advise me but wanted to see if anyone has experience with  in advance. 

[chare]

What your employer can do is going to depend on the terms of your contract.  As you're looking for a lawyer, I think he or she, after reviewing your contract will be in the best position to advise you.

Best wishes as you work through this.

[JKL33]

I agree with the above, consult your contract and lawyer if necessary.

Not official advice, here, but practically speaking it's very likely the main thing that would happen would be a poor reference and/or being barred from rehire with that company. If you received some kind of sign-on bonus there might be some demand for part/all of that back if it was tied to a specific length of service.

Unless you have an unusually good gig, a 60-day notice requirement is utterly ridiculous. But if it's in your contract then it is what it is.

You have to take care of your family. Unless the consequences of not giving 60 days' notice are quite severe (e.g. significant financial penalty; being deemed ineligible for rehire within a large health system), you can't really afford to worry too much about what they are. Leaving a run-of-the-mill clinic RN job is very unlikely to be associated any kind of breach that would attract BON attention if that's what you're worried about.

Hopefully you have already found a position that will work better. Sorry you are going through this. Hang in there ~

[kbrn2002, ADN, RN]

60 days notice for a clinic job? Well that's extreme. But no matter as a family emergency certainly takes precedence over you relatively new job. Frankly if they are sticking to their guns about a 60 day notice despite your circumstances it's not a  place worth you feeling guilty for leaving. Since you've already retained one for sure have that attorney look over your contract and go over your options. 

Let your lawyer worry about the contract, you focus on your daughter. I really hope your she is doing well. 

[CrunchRN, ADN, RN]

I have never heard of a contract like that before. What is the penalty for early termination?