ugh... need vibes, advice welcome

[wcladymacbeth]

So as I've mentioned before, I'm switching jobs. My contract at my current job states that I have to give 3 months notice, so I did, even though it's an outragous amount of time lol, but I'm also working part time at my new job in the process. Old job is now giving me some scheduling issues that will prevent me from working at my new job for a period of time. Even though I've made numerous requests that they just give me a normal schedule, they're trying to make me work night shift when I clearly can't do it in addition to working at my new job. No where in my contract does it say I have to work night shift, but we do take turns doing it, and my turn is coming up in July. My last day will be right in the middle of my month of nights anyway, and I was hoping they would not make me do it, but they're persisting.

Now I'm torn and I don't know what the right thing to do is. I don't know if I should fulfill the terms of my contract and possibly make my new job mad that I can't work for a while, or if I should tell them that I'm just not going to work nights even if it means I'll have to quit sooner and violate my contract. After reading my contract closely, I think the only thing they can really do is take away some of my unused vacation pay.

My conscience is honestly split on this. On one hand, I'm not the type of person to ever willingly or knowingly violate a contract of employment. The thought of it makes me very uneasy. I never want to work there again after all this, and I don't need a letter of recommendation from them or anything, but I just hate burn bridges. On the other hand, it seems like putting my new job first is the right thing to do, especially since it seems to me like my old job is just being spiteful. It's only a couple weeks that I would even be on nights before my end date.

I've been a good employee. I don't understand why they have to make this difficult. I was hoping my last day would be a fond farewell, but now it seems like it's just going to be hell no matter what I do.

 

[Baxter'smybaby]

hmm--can you talk to your new employers and let them know that you need to finish your obligation to job #1? If they (job #2) see that you are dedicated to what you do, it could be in your favor and you would not be burning bridges with job #1. Even if you don't THINK you need job #1--you never know what follows you to another environment, or how people talk about you. If you fulfill what you agreed to in your contract--then they can not complain.
But I am the type of person to finish something I start in a way I can feel proud of--and I respect that in my potential employees.

 

[ACooper]

I agree with Bax. If there is anyway humanly possible for you to finish your contract with job #1, I would do so. Your old boss could end up being a new boss someday, coworkers of job #1 could end up being future coworkers, etc etc. You just never know what circles life leads us around in, been there, done that.

I mean, if it is just impossible and there's no other way you gotta do what you gotta do.

I do just want to say WOW........3 months notice? That is a freaking LONG time! LOL, There's been times I could barely ride out my two week notice, I think my brain would crack under the pressure of 3 long months, LOL

 

[wcladymacbeth]

Thanks guys. It just seems to me like it's spiteful and they're deliberately trying to get in the way of my new job. There is really no reason I should HAVE to work nights. I'm still going to try to get out of it without violating my contract.

 

[ACooper]

Oh yeah, I agree that they seem to be dumping on you, LOL.........they probably figure they have nothing left to lose right? You're leaving, so who cares if it ticks you off.

I forgot to offer *vibes* for a good outcome.....sending now

 

[Baxter'smybaby]

yeah--definitely aggravating--you would hope they would treat you well based on your work history with them---and I can understand trying to get it changed if it's within your contract. I just wouldn't blatantly break your contract and burn any bridges--because like I said, you never know where that will come back at you. Good luck with things!

 

[Taqroy]

I would be really irritated too. 3 months is a ridiculously long time and it does seem like they are trying to either take advantage of you or make it so that you **** off your new job so maybe you have to come back. As much as I'd like to tell you to give them the finger (which is what I'd reeeeeally want to do) you should probably try and work it out. Good luck and lotsa (((nonightshiftvibes)))!!

 

[cinnamon]

Can you ask for some vacation days on your scheduled nights?

 

[wcladymacbeth]

I thought of that, cinn. If that's something they're willing to do, I'll do it. The down side is I'll have to miss out on the vacation I have had scheduled in July for months - a vacation that I will no doubt badly need after working 2 jobs all summer. Not to mention that when I mentioned it to my husband, he said there is no way we're missing out on our vacation. He thinks I should just give 'em the finger and tell them to suck it. And it also doesn't help that he's already indicated that he's going to be pretty mad at me if I end up agreeing to work night shift. Maybe not mad, but he's going to lose some respect for me I think, as a person willing to stand up for what is right and whatnot. It's just a horrible dilemma they've put me in. Hubby says he'll support me no matter what, but I get the impression he'll support me more if I make the decision HE thinks is right and notsomuch otherwise.

 

[Doberluv]

Oh wow! That is a real dilemma. In your contract, is working night shift or anything about shifts mentioned? Or are you expected to work any shift they dish out? I'd be really torn too, just like you are. They sound like jerks. Maybe they should worry about their reputation as employers. I understand the points made. You've been given good advice. I wish I could come up with some brilliant answer, but I'm stuck somewhere in the middle and am of no help at all. Whatever happens, I wish you the best.

 

[wcladymacbeth]

Thanks dobe. There is nothing in the contract that says I have to work night shift. That's why I don't understand why they're pushing it so hard.

ETA: they told me that it's "implied" that we take turns working night shift, and that's why they expect me to do it.

 

[Baxter'smybaby]

Beth--do you think they are trying to push you out faster--do they have anything to gain (and you to loose) by doing so?

 

[Renee750il]

They are holding you to the letter of the contract; you hold them to it as well!

Aside from that, a chat with your new boss, letting him/her know what is going on might be a good course of action.

One thing to remember . . . there's a reason this is your OLD job.

 

[wcladymacbeth]

I don't think so Bax. They have nothing to gain by losing me. My position is rather difficult to replace at times.

 

[wcladymacbeth]

Thanks Renee. I will talk to my new boss. He seems like a reasonable guy, thank goodness. I can't wait to get out of this hell hole.

 

[boneyjean]

I think first you should talk to your old employer and tell them the situation and that you are trying to work this out. What's the worst that will happen, they fire you? But maybe when they see you are trying to do the right thing, they will help you to help them. After all, you would assume the 3 month requirement is so they have time to find someone to replace you and get them trained so it would be in there best interest to work with you if they want you to finish out the contract.

If you have no luck there, go talk to your new employer, explain the situation and see how they respond. Obviously this is the person you really want to please so if they aren't happy, then nobody is.

Then in the end, if no one is willing to work with you, don't fullfil the 3 month notice at the old employer.
That seems like a ridiculous amount of time but at the same time, my boss would expect the same of me and it would give both me and her time to find new people to fill roles.