Job interview ethics...

[emmafrancis]

I had three interviews for a job I wanted. The job was part time, and I want to move from full-time to part time.

First interview I felt went great. It was basically them explaining to me what the job would be and making sure I would really be interested.

Second interview was with the manager and two dr's I would work with. I felt it went great.

Third interview was a co-worker interview. While I left not feeling it went stellar because they kept pointing out that I was not experienced in this area, I felt like I still had a shot.

Got an email that they wanted to talk to my manager. My manager was out on medical leave, so I let them know when she would be back. I then emailed her and apologized for not having the conversation in person, but said I had interviewed for a part time position.

Three weeks later, I got the email that turned me down and the job was reposted.

I thought it strange, but decided they must have decided they wanted someone experienced since it was part time. A few weeks later, I saw a friend who worked in the dept while at lunch and since we were both eating, we had lunch together. She squirmed a little then said she wished my boss had "let me go" so that we could work together.

I was like, "uhhh what?" She said she was told my boss didn't want to let me go and since it was a less than lateral move (going from full time to part time), they didn't feel they could press the issue, so the job was reposted.

I'm not sure I want to work for my current manager now....I am not in a position where I can ask her why she blocked me, because she would know someone told me, and she could pretty easily find out who and get her into trouble.

Have you had this happen? How did you deal with it? I'm considering applying to other companies.

[cocoa_puff]

We cannot give medical advice per the terms of this site.

[AceOfHearts<3]

I'd be pretty ticked off and I'd be looking for another job. Honestly, it's not up to your manager whether or not you should be able to reduce your hours- because as he or she will (probably) find out the employee will just leave. If a person wants to move into a different area or change their hours bad enough and it's not allowed with their current unit and/or company they will find someplace else where they can. This happened with one of my coworkers- my manger at the time refused to let her reduce her hours (she had a lot of family stuff going on) so she left.

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

We cannot give medical advice per the terms of this site.

Huh?!? No one is asking for medical advice here.

OP, maybe your manager felt blindsided by the fact that she had no knowledge of your desire to transfer out when she received the call about the part time position. You could try informing her that while you have loved your current job, you'd like to apply for part time work and hope she will give you a good reference. Don't even mention the other job or make it seem at all like you are upset with her. Her response to your conversation will tell you a lot about your ability to move forward with her blessing.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Good grief - what in the world is that manager thinking? This is (once again) one of those Management 101 issues.

When a staff member wants to transfer in order to meet some sort of personal goals - like OP - you DON'T STAND IN THEIR WAY because this sets up a lose-lose situation. The "best" outcome that could be achieved would be temporary retention of a (now) very unhappy and resentful employee who is going to leave as soon as possible. The only time a manager should attempt to persuade someone to stay is if he is leaving due to some sort of dissatisfaction that can be fixed.... because this could very well end up as a win-win situation.

If OP feels that it would be useless to talk about this with the manager in question, she should escalate it up the chain of command &/or talk to HR. I'm sure that they would much rather retain a valuable, experienced nurse than have her jump ship to a competitor.

[kp2016]

I'm assuming this is a job within the same company. Your next move should be to make an appointment with a HR manager to discuss this issue. If you do not have a contract obligation your manager has no right to block you in this way.

I would also go ahead and reapply for the job. it goes without saying that you should list someone other than your manager as a reference from your current job, given the circumstances i'm sure they would accept a charge nurse or doctor.

[caliotter3]

Something similar happened to a coworker. He was doing everything to leave that employer afterward, unfortunately he was stuck. It made him an unhappy employee.

[Wolf at the Door, BSN]

it goes without saying that you should list someone other than your manager as a reference from your current job, given the circumstances i'm sure they would accept a charge nurse or doctor.

What are you talking about??? She was interviewing within the same hospital she currently works for..I don't think there was an option to not speak with her current manager.

I have had something similar happen to me twice. I ended up quitting BOTH times. I wanted to transfer and I got written up over some foolishness just to keep me there by the manager over clocking in. I did nothing unusual. Never was warned. She gave me a write up the minute I started picking up hours outside my unit and mentioned transferring . Adios jerkface.

A friend at a different job in a different state had the same thing happen to her. Trying to transfer from ER across town to the closer ER near her home. She was written up over clocking in late. NEVER once in 3 years she was written up for late clock in until she was trying to transfer. I found out for her she could still transfer. Don't think she ever did.

[crazin01]

I would probably re-apply to the new posting. Or simply email, call, or visit HR and politely reiterate you are still very interested in the position. I doubt HR could confirm if another candidate backed out after your interviews, but might be able to give more info than what you currently have. If you really trust this friend, maybe she could elaborate more, on who stated what? Not exactly the best way to go about hunting info, but still, it's something.

I've had managers refuse to let people transfer, due to the staffing issues on their floor. Even if you and your manager aren't on the best of terms, if you're a good employee (picking up extra shifts, good resource for new nurses, crossing T's and all that jazz) it's amazing how quickly you can receive a write up for ridiculous reasons.

Hoping it's not in your case, but some people should not be managers...

Good luck..

[Cat365]

I would look at a different company. When I found a new job I would inform them of exactly why I was leaving. Both my current boss and HR. Though granted my current boss probably won't care because it results in the same thing to her. I'm gone.

[Sour Lemon]

Got an email that they wanted to talk to my manager. My manager was out on medical leave, so I let them know when she would be back. I then emailed her and apologized for not having the conversation in person, but said I had interviewed for a part time position.

Three weeks later, I got the email that turned me down and the job was reposted.

I was like, "uhhh what?" She said she was told my boss didn't want to let me go and since it was a less than lateral move (going from full time to part time), they didn't feel they could press the issue, so the job was reposted.

Have you had this happen? How did you deal with it? I'm considering applying to other companies.

Unfortunately, it seems to be pretty common from what I've seen. Managers extend each other the courtesy of not "poaching" each others nurses. You may have to move to a different hospital system to transfer specialties or even cut back hours.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

The "best" outcome that could be achieved would be temporary retention of a (now) very unhappy and resentful employee who is going to leave as soon as possible.

I concur. If a manager attempts to block my attempt to laterally transfer, I will remain in that department as long as it takes to secure employment elsewhere.

Thus, the manager's attempts to keep me around have actually accomplished the opposite effect of pushing me away from the company.