My Job being bought out OH NO! need advice.

jsteine1 · Aug 15, 2005

I would recommend NOT stating your case when the big boys come to town. I have personally participated in many acquisitions of smaller HHAs.. One of the reasons your agency is being bought out is because the cost controls are not in place and PPS has certainly hurt the smaller provider .The reason the big guys are the big guys is because they know how to do cost effective management. They will be carefully observing those who will get on board and cooperate with them and those that wont. Unfortunately, your concerns about mileage and cell phone costs wont lead them to change any of their already established policies. Better to go along, see if you like working for them and if not, professionally resign after finding another job. Consider this: working for a national company gives you more job security.

jsteine1 · Aug 15, 2005

Diane, what were you being paid commisions for?

happthearts · Aug 15, 2005

Diane, what were you being paid commisions for?

We are a non medicail company I would recieve 10% of the first month of each client that I would bring to our company .But only after all the caregivers had been paid .what ever the net profit is on each client.

The only thing is you would have a lot of clients on respite. Or you would have rich people that would just get sick of haveing a caregiver there or putting out that amount of cash .If they don't go a full month I don't get anything. I have had several where they quit one day before a month was up. Then I don't get a dime .This does help where they don't pay all my gas. But I still don't get much.

happthearts · Aug 15, 2005

I would recommend NOT stating your case when the big boys come to town. I have personally participated in many acquisitions of smaller HHAs.. One of the reasons your agency is being bought out is because the cost controls are not in place and PPS has certainly hurt the smaller provider .The reason the big guys are the big guys is because they know how to do cost effective management. They will be carefully observing those who will get on board and cooperate with them and those that wont. Unfortunately, your concerns about mileage and cell phone costs wont lead them to change any of their already established policies. Better to go along, see if you like working for them and if not, professionally resign after finding another job. Consider this: working for a national company gives you more job security.

It comes down to this I can't work for $5.50 an hour and that's what it come down to is less than 5.50 if I have to pay for cell and gas. I go about half the state of Utah in my travel ,and to have put over $650.00 dollars out each month into saving this job.For gas and cell. I just can't do it. Nothing but my wage was in writing when I saw the contract.

I will lose my home if I work for this amount. Even one week at this amount could put me in the hole. I will probably speak to my boss privately and ask what's happening with her first.Its not like I market from work. I really go out and see people and meet with different agencies and families all day .Plus have worked my backside to keep this company solvent. That's why my company was not dissolved like our other companies in AZ and Texas. Ours was making a profit.

Diane

jsteine1 · Aug 15, 2005

So you are not a Medicare reimbursed type of service. The good news Diane, is this: Big companies pay a pretty penny for their aquisitions. Part of what they buy is the talent(YOU!). They will want to retain you, but I agree let your current boss be the "mouthpiece for you". If you are in sales, you should be making a heck of a lot more in base salary. If you sold for a contract rehab company for example, and you were really good, you'd be pulling in 150k or more per year. Theres a huge market for sales staff these days, you may want to market yourself to other companies. The most logical place to start is with your current competitors----. PS- do you have a non-compete agreement that will transfer to the new company? If you have a non compete and want to sell for a competitor, have the agreement checked out by an attorney. Some are written so poorly they wouldnt hold water in a legal proceeding.The opposite is also true, some are nearly air-tight. Bigger companies have in house legal departments and they may pursue you for violating the non-compete if you have one. Keep me posted on how you do in all this! Jayne

mattsmom81 · Aug 15, 2005

Any job where I calculate working for minimum wage as a nurse would be open and shut outta there. These people don't want professionals apparently.

Unless you can justify writing all this stuff off on your taxes and negotiate a better deal; you might be wisest to look for other options.

happthearts · Aug 16, 2005

First off thanks for everyones advice heres what happen I do appreate your help. I would have cut bate and ran if It hadn't gone down this way.

Regarding the non-compete agreement that does transfer to the new company But only a Non medical home health. Its the way they wrote it. If they don't buy my contract They also miss all my contacts I make on a day to day basics. Not to mention I still haven't signed my contract yet with the new company .

So I could go do home health and use all my knowledge and they couldn't do a darn thing according to my old boss which they did not keep. Says it won't hold water according to Utah law .Also I have been pursued by a DME company and could use my same list . Of course I kept a copy on disk.

Just thought I would up date you on what happened today ,I kinda just kept my mouth shut around the big wig .I never even mentioned knowing that I knew what was on the contract.Then My Boss pipes up and tells the big wig that she noticed that our gas and cell isn't written in the contract and the guy say yes I noticed that as well one was getting 200 and another was getting 300. for gas and cell. Plus I and the office staff will get benifits package.

He said no problem I will write it in .So I will believe it ,when I see it then I will sign. .

This really teed off the other new marketer about the gas money ,who is making more money than I and then she asked for more money even though her territory is much smaller than mine .But she also makes 2.85 more an hour. I told my boss it would really make me mad since I have more experience than her and my area was much bigger .The other marketer was more managerial than marketing she worked for Walmart and has that type of mentality Sell it for the lowest price She also did work a small amount of home health aide..

This is what happened when I was trying to show her how we set up care

.

When a Client said she needed 5 days of care ,the other marketer butted in tried to cut the client back to 3 and make our caregivers work all weird hours and times .The marketer Would not be quite and it took twice as long to sign the client and set up care. Which would have been impossible for us to find one that would work those hours , I saved it by saying why not start with 5 days which is what the client wanted and cut back when she was feeling better ,It was very clear this client felt awful and needed the care. It will be very intresting to see what happens .I fiqure at this point I really don't care for the other marketer yet and will avoid her as much as possible . I just kinda am just letting my boss deal with her.She trying to show me up and I watch her fall flat every time .

Lets just say at this point the stress is a little better for now will keep you posted the next couple days ..

thanks Diane

happthearts · Aug 21, 2005

(happyhearts) The other marketer was more managerial than marketing she worked for Walmart and has that type of mentality Sell it for the lowest price She also did work a small amount of home health aide..)

I just had to laugh The new marketer who is suppose to have all this nursing experience asked me yesterday what does ADL's mean, Every aide I know and some who are just caregivers knows that meaning . I just about fell on the floor. Would you trust person who markets for home health if they didn't know the terminology.I would sure question at least.

Then talk about being stressed .My boss informs me the new marketer will be also marketing in my area .Which as you know in this field .You must talk the talk and walk the walk. Know your stuff and keep your promises . I just don't want all my business I have developed to go to the out house .People will not trust us.

Then the new marketer when I went out to market shoved all this stuff printer and books on to my side Of the desk. She told the boss she wanted my space as well.I just really feel I am being walked upon.I finally told my boss how I felt .That every time the new marketer wines she gets what she wants . That if this is how its going to be I am not going to be a happy camper . My boss informed me no that's not how its going to be. but has proven otherwise.

I am going to look some where else and just keep the job till I know what I am going to do since I have the marketing clause with this company .I am also going to have my attorney look my contract over as well.

I feel I am just about to blow .

Happyhearts

renerian, BSN, RN · Aug 28, 2005

Where I am from/had legal council check/non competes don't always hold up in court. Good luck. Having been laid off, downsized etc from buy outs/mergers etc. The stick was never made bigger/only shorter.

ren

happthearts · Aug 28, 2005

Where I am from/had legal council check/non competes don't always hold up in court. Good luck. Having been laid off, downsized etc from buy outs/mergers etc. The stick was never made bigger/only shorter.
ren

Thanks my legal council said the same .They can,t keep you from working forever.

Just thought I would update you Our boss is really angry right now at the other marketer she has been coming in when ever like 9 or 10 and leaving 2 hrs early each day . (Our hours are from 8 to 5 .)Then she told My boss on Friday she needs the day off today. Plus the other marketer is doing all personal phone calls from work and tying up the computer .(We didn't have the new ones set up .)I have kind of just kept my mouth shut and let my boss vent she had confided in me . I did mention at this point to my Boss until the other marketer gets her feet wet. I would prefer she stayed in her own area to market ,(knowing that her experience is not that strong ). At this point I would prefer the marketer not to be let go ,as I wouldn't want to be doing the other marketer area as well as my own .

I may stick this out a little while longer at this company .Just to see what happens .We are all on probation for 3 months with the new company anyway.

Don't you think I'm doing the right thing ,just keep my mouth shut sit and wait to see what happens do my job .

Thanks for the help

Happy

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Aug 28, 2005

So sorry to read about your mishap. Hope things resolve soon.