Recently fired during orientation...help

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Hi all,

I know there are a lot of people that come to this site if for anything to get advice from other nurses. This is what leads me here. I apologize for the lengthy post in advance!

I decided to leave my job that I had for almost 2 years to find something that was closer to home and would be more "family friendly hours" and a lot less stressful than my previous position. I was offered a position immediately at 2 different locations doing the same thing but one was closer to home than the other so of course I chose that company.

I absolutely loved what I was doing at this new job. I was closer to home so that meant less time on the road to and from work, and I was able to pick up my kids every day from daycare which was a huge bonus! The work was easy compared to what I did before. I arrived at 0630 and worked until all the cases were completed, preop calls were done for the next day or several days in advance sometimes and my room set up for the next day. When all this was done and the charge nurse gave permission to leave, you had the option of staying and auditing charts or you could go home. Very few stayed, most people went home.

Well this company had a 90 day probation period. I thought that's no big deal, I've never had any issues any place I've ever worked so I was not concerned with it. Well 8 days prior to my 90 day probation I was let go. I was told that I "wasn't a good fit for the department." I was completely in shock. I had never been told I had done anything wrong, never had anything negative ever said to me, and was praised daily for my "quick learning." I had never done this type of work before so I was on a longer orientation. I felt like I got along well with everyone there, the physicians talked highly of me, and I felt like I was really getting it and enjoyed what I did.

When I asked my supervisor what she meant by not a good fit, she said I clocked out early too many days. I stated that I had never left without my work being done and everything set up for the next day and calls completed, nor left without her permission, she then stated well there were other things but would not elaborate. When I asked was there anything I could do differently so that I don't make the same mistakes again, she wouldn't answer me and just said she would write a letter of recommendation for a new job for me and that she was so sorry. I walked away balling my eyes out because I had never experienced anything like that before.

I filed for unemployment a few days later (I was still in shock.) I put down the reasons my supervisor gave me as the reason I was let go. My state is an at will state. I received a call a couple weeks later from the unemployment office requesting more information. They stated that my supervisor said I clocked out early 6 days due to sickness and that another employee stated that I was told several times to keep busy and that I was sitting in a room doing nothing while everyone else set up their rooms for the next day (this NEVER happened!) I left early only 1 day due to a horrible migraine and was sent home because of it, I did not ask to leave. Any other time I clocked out "early" it was because our work was done and we were given the option to go home.

Because I was on this 90 day probation period I was not allowed to use the PTO I was acrueing so that I could get my 40 hours, which was fine I knew that was a sacrifice I was making going to this job so I didn't worry about not getting my full hours for the week and they would freak out if you got any overtime! I came close one week. Anyways I was denied unemployment because the unemployment office sided with my employer because they had a signed statement from the other employee and my time sheet. I was unable to provide statements from other employees because they were afraid they would lose their job if they said anything to defend me and the only way to prove I did my work was to pull patient charts and that's against the law.

I have never been a "lazy" employee especially bc I have kids that depend on me! And also it's just not in my nature! Well I am appealing their decision with the hope that a hearing will help so that I can tell my side of the story. It bothers me because while looking for a job I have to put that on my application and explain myself and hope that my new employer believes me and this attacks my character, and also I have been without pay now for a little over a month! I have gotten a new job that I will start soon but it will still be a couple more weeks before I receive a paycheck. Has anyone ever experienced this and if so what was your outcome with the unemployment office?

Thank you!

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Your story is common, just differences in details. Do your best on your appeal, but when that is over, concentrate on your new job. Next time, when facing a choice, ask yourself what is the least risky thing to do, how to avoid backstabbers. Certain that you now realize you were set up. Best wishes on your new job.

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Specializes in Medical-Surgical/Float Pool/Stepdown.

The only thing that flags for me is that you needed a longer orientation but clocked out early. Even if it was normal practice for everyone else to leave early maybe staying to review charts could have shown the employer your initiative. Unfortunately your employer should not have expected you to be a mind reader if this was the case.

Either way...should of, could of, or would of isn't helpful to you now. Sorry this happened to you but for whatever reason you were targeted but your time clock helped to nail your coffin.

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The only thing that flags for me is that you needed a longer orientation but clocked out early. Even if it was normal practice for everyone else to leave early maybe staying to review charts could have shown the employer your initiative. Unfortunately your employer should not have expected you to be a mind reader if this was the case.

Either way...should of, could of, or would of isn't helpful to you now. Sorry this happened to you but for whatever reason you were targeted but your time clock helped to nail your coffin.

The new employee must always appear to be a stickler for "good employee behavior" until they have passed muster of the probationary period. Then you can start testing the waters by acting like the old timers once in awhile, but only if you already feel comfortably accepted.

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Specializes in Medical-Surgical/Float Pool/Stepdown.
The new employee must always appear to be a stickler for "good employee behavior" until they have passed muster of the probationary period. Then you can start testing the waters by acting like the old timers once in awhile, but only if you already feel comfortably accepted.

Wish I was a test the waters kinda gal but I hold my work ethic in high regard so I would never have been comfortable leaving work early at a newer job...it would have actually caused me pretty bad anxiety!

I do think that it is up to the employer to set clear expectations and treat their employees the same across the board within reason because we all know some circumstances are reason enough to bend some rules.

I have never been a fan of being blindsided though or of manager/supervisor that had complaints but never provided ways to improve or meet expectations. Not saying that this is the case here. :up: A probationary period to me might as well be a daily job interview and shadowing experience until the employee brings knowledge, skills, and experience to the table benefiting the company and proving themselves all while continuing to be a good employee.

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Ugh - how awful. I would have been devastated too. Sounds like a bit of a set-up to me!

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Sounds fishy to me and seems like you got a raw deal! Of course we're only hearing your side of the story (I'm not saying you aren't telling the truth). Could be a case of not what you know but who you know. Maybe they want to hire someone else, so were looking for a reason to fire you. Hope your new job goes better!

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Women's Health, Education.

I would talk to an employment lawyer.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
I would talk to an employment lawyer.
My thinking differs. I would not bother with a lawyer because the OP's employment was terminated during the probationary period.

In addition, she did not lose her job over an E.O.E. reason (e.g., race, religion, national origin).

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

Also the best thing you can hope for from an employment lawsuit is to be given your job back. Why would anyone let go in this way want that?

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