| Topic Name: |
Messy situation!!! Help!!! |
| Message Name: |
Help! |
| Date Posted: |
04/10/2000 |
| In Reply To: |
I don't know if I'm posting this in the right place, but here it goes anyway...I've been at my current job about 2 years and I've decided to move on. Bad bad politics and underhanded dealing (a real bag of horrors). I got a great job offer and was all ready to go in a month. I informed the people here that I'd be going, but didn't give them a definitive end date. I covered myself by offering to help them out part time, no matter what, until they found someone permanent. AND THEN IT HAPPENED!!! I injured myself, am undergoing intense physical therapy, possible surgery, everything....well, I am worried that my new job, after they find out that I might need all this on-going stuff, may try to rescind the job offer (legally I don't know if they can), or if they allow me this needed and justified time, that it may make the working environment hell when I do start (they've needed this position filled for awhile....I was supposed to start earlier than this, but couldn't because of the current job situation...to make matters worse, about a year ago, I interviewed for this same position and had to turn it down....bad timing, etc...) So, now what do I do???? This couldn't have happened at a worse time, but I can't change the speed of my recovery. Does anyone out there have any advice on how to go about handling this mess? I have to do something by next week!!! HELP!!
SOS |
| Message: |
(Interviewing Moderator)
I read this last night, and rather than immediately responding, have been thinking about it.
This is, obviously, tricky - and especially tricky to answer in any definitive way, particularly in writing to someone I haven't met.
But, a few suggestions - first, have you established your medical coverage with your current employer (COBRA)? If not, take care of this first. Also, on this subject - assuming you can deal with this whole thing in a successful way, make sure that there is no pre-existing condition clause in the new health insurance (it's required in New York State-based companies).
Second, have you received an offer letter from the new employer? (I know this might be too late, but offer letters are imperative in any new job.) Having the offer letter might put you in a better stance with the new employer.
In all my years of career consulting, the only comparison that comes close in my memory is pregnancy. In those instances, I've suggested that the new employee come clean and tell the new employer all of the details. Emphasize that you'll be able to telecommute (if that's applicable) while recovering and exactly how much time you will not be able to be in the office. Straightforwardness is the strongest possibility I can see here.
The only other real option that might work, but is not especially desirable, is to stay on in the old job, tell the new people about your situation, and see if they're amenable to your revised starting date. (I do understand that this would be especially difficult with the current employer already knowing about your leaving and your medical situation...)
I realize that you've probably gone over these two possibilities already, and there is no surefire way to deal with this.
With the pregnancy situations, I cannot recall there having been any problem. I understand that it's not quite the same, but it's the closest I can recall.
Please let us know how this turns out.
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