Forced retention?

AmiK25 · Aug 4, 2005

I don't know the relevant employment laws in Tennessee ... but, I don't think that is really the main issue here.
If you gave 2 weeks notice, you are morally obligated to fulfill that 2-week committment. If you do anything less (as in, call-in sick a lot), then you would not be behaving ethically or professionally. That employer will put a note in your file to that effect and may justifiably give you a negative recommendation when potential employers call them to verify your employment in the future.
Maintaining a strong, positive professional reputation is an important part of a successful career. Don't sacrifice your reputation (your "good name") for years to come just so that you can leave your job a week or 2 earlier. Put up with the inconvenience and/or whatever else you have been putting up with in that job for just a little longer. It will be worth it in the long run.
Sometimes ... your reputation is more important than the technical aspects of the law -- (unless there is some actual danger to yourself and/or the patients if you stay).
llg

I don't believe the OP said she was planning to leave before two weeks...her manager told her she could not leave after her two weeks!

txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN · Aug 4, 2005

I probably would have started laughing at him and told him "Well ok, if your staffing needs are not met; I guess that means your about to hit the floor"...

I recently accepted a job offer at another hospital. The manager of the floor on which I'm currently working told me today that he didn't have to let me go at the end of my 2 weeks notice...that if the staffing needs weren't met he could make me work after my resignation date (I gave just over 2 full weeks notice). Has anyone experienced this before? Is it true? I live in TN, my husband said that I couldn't be forced to stay in a job in TN, that it's a "right-to-work" state--and that a person can be hired/fired/quit on a single day's notice unless you're a contract employee... I actually have a good rapport at my current location and I really don't want to leave on a bad note. I'd appreciate anyone's advice/experience with regards to this matter. Thanks...

llg, PhD, RN · Aug 4, 2005

I don't believe the OP said she was planning to leave before two weeks...her manager told her she could not leave after her two weeks!

You're right. I misread the original post. I thought she wanted to leave BEFORE her 2 weeks notice were up.

I apologize. ... and thanks for pointing out my error in a nice way and not just ripping me to shreds like some people might have done. :)

llg

AmiK25 · Aug 4, 2005

Your welcome :)

mariedoreen · Aug 4, 2005

If you don't have a signed contract, or some kind of agreement to work a certain # of years because they paid your tuition he can't make you stay.

Even then they can't force you to stay. That's not to say there may not be financial repurcussions in such a situation, but we just don't have indentured servitude here.

holly31 · Aug 4, 2005

My manager must have thought that I was going to another unit within the hospital and therefore thought he could delay my "transfer"...but I am going to another hospital system completely. I think he was just trying to flex his managerial muscles (he enjoys his authority way too much)... I am not going to stress about it--if he brings it up again, I'll contact my hospital's legal department and demand they show me the statute that reflects what he said. Thanks for all the replies--I was beginning to panic! :) Holly31

holly31 · Aug 4, 2005

By the way...just to clarify... I did not sign any contracts, also I did not receive any tuition reimbursement from them requiring a "pay back" time. I have a very strong work ethic, and don't plan on leaving before my 2 weeks (I actually gave 16 days notice). I have made some great friends at my current hospital, and I'd hate to leave on bad terms with anyone. I have a feeling that my "niceness" is working against me--my manager thinks he can push me around. I also happen to be the work-horse of our department... You know the sitch...first one there, last one to get lunch relief, last one to go home... (BTW I work in surgery...) I'm the lucky one who gets all the total joint revisions, tibial plateau fractures, ACL/PCL/MCL reconstructions with allografts... all the fun stuff... I think they're in a real panic because I've been doing the "hard ortho" cases for so long that there's no one else who #1 wants to do them and #2 can do them without disrupting the flow of the OR. Anyway...I'll finish my 15 days there and work as hard as always, and go on to (hopefully) greener pastures.

Thanks again for all the posts and advice... This is a great resource for us nurses! :)