Terminated after giving resignation notice

[rn0817]

Hi all!

I'm hoping that someone can help me with my current situation. I am (well was) a nurse in a hospital setting working the overnight shift for the past 10 months. I found a new position, so emailed my formal resignation notice to my manager (as I would not see her in person for over a week). Yesterday morning was the first time I saw her since and I spoke with her in her office. In total, I gave 3 and a half weeks notice. She tells me how unprofessional I am and how ungrateful I am because the only reason I'm able to accept a new position is due to all the education given to me here. Again, I apologized, told her the night shift was becoming too much for me to handle and the new location is less than 10 minutes from my house. I also expressed my appreciation for all the education and learning opportunities I've had. She then goes on to say if I don't give a full 4 weeks I won't receive my accumulated PTO paid out. I explained that I gave 3 weeks and 4 days, as I start my new job two days after. She then tells me if I can't give the full 4 weeks she'll just cut her losses now and take my ID badge after I clock out. I was shocked. I wanted to work the amount of time I had left and give proper notice, and if she would have communicated to me that I need to work 1 more shift to cover my 4 weeks, I would have. Working 12 hour night shifts, an extra 3 days (I gave 3 weeks 4 days notice exactly) doesn't necessarily equal 3 nights of work since we only work 3 nights in total a week. I'm so confused. I don't want a termination on my record. I spoke to HR and they are "investigating" but when I tried to follow up later in the day, they didn't give me any information. I've been an employee in good standing, have never been written up or disciplined, and I've never called out. My manager is known for being a bit impulsive, but can she fire me like this? I'm so hurt because everyone is telling me she's saying that she just fired me and a woman who works at my new employer also works here. I don't want this reputation following me in the future.

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

Unless the reason you were terminated involved a legally protected status (race, religion, etc) there is likely nothing you can do. Is your facility's policy that one must give 4 weeks notice to remain eligible for rehire? If so, it doesn't matter that you gave 3 weeks and 4 days notice. You didn't give the full 4 weeks, and therefore won't meet the criteria for receiving PTO payout. I also wouldn't expect HR to do an investigation within the same day.

[rn0817]

The policy says 2 weeks or the length of your vacation time, whichever is longer. Since our vacation, sick days and holiday are all rolled into one, I'm not exactly sure how long my vacation time is. I didn't mind about my PTO not being paid out, policy is policy. I wanted to be professional and finish the time I was owed to the facility. I don't think that warranted a termination. Thanks for the reply.

[CrunchRN, ADN, RN]

Wow. Very harsh. Just move on. You did nothing wrong, but sometimes that is how employers are.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Did anyone tell you that this was a termination? I'm confused because this situation happens in my neck of the woods all the time.

Here's how it goes...a nurse submits a notice of resignation for two weeks, four weeks, or whatever length of time. A petty, resentful manager declares, "We no longer need your services." The nurse is not required to work the length specified in the notice; therefore, he/she is told to not return.

This is usually documented as a voluntary termination, a.k.a. employee-initiated resignation. Believe me when I say that workplaces bend over backward to avoid involuntary terminations, a.k.a. 'firings.' Firing an employee exposes employers to unemployment compensation claims that they wish to avoid paying.

Therefore, I doubt your employment was terminated by your former workplace. I doubt you were fired. I'm 100 percent sure HR recorded it as a resignation.

[rn0817]

I'm actually not sure what they're calling it, that's why I contacted HR. I guess I'll know more once they complete things on their end. But thank you TheCommuter, as a nurse of 2 years I've never encountered this situation before. I really appreciate your insight!

[RainMom]

You might want to check what your state says about accrued vacation/PTO. In my state, it doesn't matter how you leave a job; you are entitled to be paid for those hours. A manager can't just decide you don't get it cause she's upset you're leaving & not following her version of "the rules".

[lindseylpn]

My husband put 2 weeks notice in at his last job and the next day was told to just not come back after his shift. He left on good terms so, so he was surprised but, on his separation paperwork it said "quit with full 2 weeks notice" (when though he didn't actually work his notice out)

[TriciaJ, RN]

Do check with the labour board about whether they have to pay out your PTO. Your manager can't just capriciously decide to withhold it, just because she's peeved at you. Since your new job doesn't start for another 3 weeks and you now don't have a job, might want to mention to HR that you'll have to apply for unemployment to cover the interruption in your wages.

[NurseGirl525, ASN, RN]

I would find out and put it to HR this way, you either tell me now or I'm deeming it a termination and will be filing for unemployment until my next job starts.

That will get their butts in gear. I can guarantee it will be considered a resignation with all PTO paid.

Sorry, but you gotta play hardball if you are this worried about it. I would be too and that's how I'd play it.

[Emergent, RN]

People are so weird. What a nasty woman. She should run for president, or star on a reality show where she gets to fire people.

[catsmeow1972, BSN, RN]

Unless there is a policy in writing that says "4 weeks notice is required", she does not have a leg to stand on. In my state, If you put in your notice (unless specifically stated, 2 weeks is customarily appropriate) and the employer terminates you immediately, it constitutes a termination for the purposes of getting unemployment. Formally, it constitutes a voluntary resignation and is likely recorded as such by HR. Regardless of why you choose to move on, you don't have to explain it to the person (who, from what you say seems to be one of those petty, spiteful, impulsive people as OP stated). The guilt trip about the "being ungrateful and unprofessional" is totally inappropriate.

As far as the PTO, again, unless there is a stated policy regarding 4 weeks notice, which i think is highly unlikely fro a staff nurse position, that manager has NO say in whether you get your PTO or not. Never mind what she yaps to other people about, if she wants to claim "unprofessional behavior, she should consider the fact that she discusses the particulars of a persons separation.

I would apply for unemployment (since you have a new job already, not for the money but just to make a point with them, or not bother since it may not really be worth the time), make darn sure your PTO is paid out and move on to your new job and be a spectacular nurse.