Hello,
I was offered a job and the company wanted me to start in the middle of the week on a Wednesday. I'm having some oral surgery done on Tuesday and I received a call from the dentist that I will have to go back on Wednesday to have more work done. I have a couple of teeth that are causing me big problems so I need to have it done ASAP. Its not something that can wait. So I contacted the company and told them I would need to push back my start date to the following Monday - 3 days later then planned.
They didn't like that so now the HR person tells me she needs to speak with the owners and get back to me. I'm surprised that they have a problem with this. I just got the offer on Friday afternoon of last week and I happen to not be working. But most people have to give a two week notice if they are working. Its a matter of a few days later for this job start date. Now I'm thinking do I really want to work for a company that can't understand I have to have surgery done..
What should I do???
Update:sorry I accidentally put this question in the wrong category. I did try to get the oral surgery done earlier but the dentist in on vacation until Tuesday.
Answers & Comments
Not sure how this ended up in Weddings, but I'm game!
Questions like this are tough because there's so many details you can't include or might not even know. But at least let me give the point of view from a manager/supervisor, which I am. The biggest thing you need to remember is that their behavior now may not be a reflection of their behavior with a known employee. At this point, all they know about you is that you're asking for time off and you're not even on the payroll yet! Your excuse is valid, but that doesn't matter yet.
Also, you mentioned the 2 week notice thing. For all you know, the fact that they thought you'd be available asap might have had something to do with their decision to hire you. When candidates are equal, something has to break the tie, and I've used this one myself.
Finally, did you do everything possible to try to get the surgery done today and tomorrow instead of leaking into Wednesday? Did you try to minimize the lateness? It sounds like you were ready to start the day after the surgery, so why does it jump into Monday instead of Thursday? In other words, I, as your future boss, would want some indication that you did everything you could to not let this impact your start date, rather than just "oh well, I'll give them a call". I wouldn't worry so much with a long term employee, but with from someone who hadn't even started, I'd want to see that at a minimum they don't have an expectation that this is no biggie.
Just something to think about before you blame the company.
Messy's right. As an employer/manager, prospective employees are held to a different standard than people who have already been hired. When you were interviewed by them, did they ask about your upcoming schedule? Did you neglect to tell them about this appointment before you were hired?
Also, it depends on what type of business this is. I manage a very small business, and I've been in the position where I need someone in here and training so they can work on their own in 5 days. Sometimes that happens when you've unexpectedly had someone quit or had to let someone go. The rules and expectations are totally different in a small business than in a large company.
It could also be, if it is a large company, that they're doing a mass hiring and already have orientation and training days set up. If they're hiring 20 other people that are all training together, it's a big tax on resources to have to do the whole thing over again for one person.
I doubt it's that they "can't understand" you need surgery. There are probably a lot of other factors going in to this. Keep in mind, if you can't be there when they need you - for whatever reason - they probably have dozens of other applicants who can and would love to. That doesn't make the situation any easier to swallow, but maybe it will help you see the bigger picture.
It's hard to tell whether it's the HR person pushing for an earlier start date because that's what works or if the company being unwilling to budge. Sometimes HR can get really nutty when it comes to processing a new employee. If I were you, I'd wait and see what the HR person comes back with. They might be willing to work with you after all, even if it's not the most convenient option for them. If this is really such an issue for the company that it's worth rescinding the job offer and continuing to look for an absolutely perfect applicant, it's their loss and you're probably better off. I'd be very surprised if that happened though and, since that is unlikely, I'd hold off on making any decisions until you hear back from this company.
did you tell them that you are having oral surgery that day?
because I agree w/you, if they know you are having surgery that day then you probably don't want to work for them.
If they agree to a Monday start up then go ahead & take the job (if you need it) but continue looking for work elsewhere because you're probably not going to be happy there for the long term.
From a moral and compassionate standpoint, this company doesn't seem like one you should want to work for, I understand a job is hard to come by but so is good health. Hope they understand your circumstances and compromise!