New job and asking for time off

[direw0lf]

Hello

i will be changing jobs soon as I am moving to a new state.

i have prior obligations - my brother’s wedding the end of May, and grad school clinical that is mandatory in the summer for 4 days.
Both are in different states than I’m moving to so my brother’s wedding would be 2 days off I’d be flying.

my question is, what is the best way to go about to ask for these days off when I get hired? Immediately? Wait until after orientation? I hate to have to but as I said these are things I cannot miss, and I am not one to take off work.

thank you

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

As you go through the hiring process, these issues should be addressed. The employer should bring them up. You will inform them of prior obligations. The employer should agree. It's called a pre-employment agreement. Get in writing. This is how these issues are handled professionally.

If they do not agree.. rethink the offer.

You could not, then take the time off . You would lose your position.

[Nunya, BSN]

I've never had an employer ask about prior commitments during an interview, but I feel a brother's wedding and clinical for your Master's are "big" enough things that you should be able to get them. It's not like you're asking for several weeks off.

[Closed Account 12345]

I would bring it up when they ask if you have questions during the interview. Just say something like "I know I won't be able to use PTO right away, but I have some previously scheduled engagements that are really important to me. My brother is getting married X date, and I have a required grad school activity Y date. Otherwise, my schedule is flexible and I can work with the needs of the unit. Will it be possible to schedule my shifts around these dates?"

[Delia37, MSN]

18 hours ago, JadedCPN said:

For people suggesting to call out - just fair warning, I have worked in places where you are "punished" for calling out on a date you specifically asked for PTO/requested off.

I've always told them during the hiring process and have never had issues.

My facility would not allow you to use your vacation or sick call hrs, in this particular situation

[Rionoir, ADN, RN]

Where I work now they even advance you some PTO for these types of things when you start. Just tell them when you are extended an offer - this isn’t at all an uncommon situation.

[CommunityRNBSN, BSN, RN]

During an interview, they often ask “When would you be available to start?” You say “I can start on January 4, but I do have commitments for March 1-10.” It’s usually no problem, just be sure you repeat as many times as needed it until it’s in print. So when they offer you the job say “Great thank you, I accept! Please recall that, as I mentioned in the interview, I will not be able to work March 1-10.”

[BrisketRN, BSN, RN]

I'd let them know as soon as an offer is made. I took a new job a few months before my wedding. They didn't have any issue with me taking a week off for my honeymoon since I told them before I accepted the job offer. If a manager makes an issue out of you having important prior engagements then you probably don't want to work for that manager.

[Wuzzie]

Tell them when they extend an offer but I'd keep the details regarding grad school on the down-low. Call it a family obligation or some such thing. There's a good chance if they know you're in grad school they'll take a hard pass on hiring you.

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

Let them know about these prior plans when they extend you the offer. They will agree most of the time. Don't mention them, however, until you have the offer. Your leverage for getting these days comes in them having made up their minds that you are the one. To refuse them is to give you up as a candidate and start allllllllll over again trying to find someone. They are invested at that point in bringing you on board. Once they agree, ask that the dates off be included in your offer letter. This is how I have always handled it and I have never had them blink.

[ihavealltheice]

On 11/23/2019 at 10:12 AM, Pixie.RN said:

The last interview I had, they asked if I had any vacation plans in the upcoming year. I would actually tell them during the interview if they don't ask. It's kind of a good filter for you to find an employer who values downtime/work-life balance for its staff.

Thank you for this! I have always been told not to say or ask anything that would lead a workplace not to hire me. BUT, when you're on an interview, they're not just the ones interviewing you. I'd rather be honest and upfront. If they still want me, then great. If not, I'm saving a headache down the road.

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

I've been in a similar situation, and I told them when they made the offer that I had previous plans for a particular two week stretch. It wasn't a problem, My new coworkers were unhappy that I got "vacation" so fast, but oh well.

I apologize if you already addressed this further down the post, but have you been offered the job yet? I have been in your situation and have told them straight out that I have X obligation that is non negotiable. I actually turned down a great job opportunity because they told me thy would not be able to honor a week vacation I had booked before interviewing. The trip is non negotiable and already paid for. In the end I found an even better job so I think it was meant to be, but my point is, tell them NOW and they can decide what to do with that information.