The Job Hunt Thread

[Deleted]

It's a tough situation giving such short notice. However, you've already made them angry with you so I can't really see what good it would do at this point to stay the two weeks.  You did what was best for your family because their policies do what is best for their company.  You have to do that; remind yourself that they do the same thing.  It's going to be a hostile work environment. Let it go.

I really wouldn't discuss it further at this point.  If there is an exit interview (do companies still do those?), I would simply say that this is a better fit.  Leave it at that.

Good luck.  You really deserve this, and I'm glad it is happening for you. 

[tcu2003]

Oct 22, 2015 17:09:00 GMT -5 @bamafan1954 said:

I really wouldn't discuss it further at this point.  If there is an exit interview (do companies still do those?), I would simply say that this is a better fit.  Leave it at that.

My company does still do exit interviews. They want to know why people leave, and if there are things that need to be addressed or looked at to help improve employee retention.

They're also starting to do "stay" interviews with employees to figure out why people stay, and build on those facets of our company.

[Wisconsin Beth]

Here, exit interviews are conducted by your boss's boss and your boss isn't allowed in the room while it's going on.  It's to give the departing person the best shot at being honest on their way out. 

[Wisconsin Beth]

Oct 22, 2015 14:11:52 GMT -5 quince said:

Drama, you maybe don't have to get COBRA or change coverages because you don't have to let them know whether or not you elect COBRA until I think 60 days, but at least 30, so until after your new benefits are established: which means you can retroactively elect if you need to. That might work for you.

Congratulations! Yay!

I think you should look into this. 

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

Well when this many people on YM are in agreement I know I have to listen.

Everyone in RL is in agreement as well, stick with one week's notice don't let them get the high ground.   DH and my dad pointed out that would give them the opportunity to try to sabotage my new job.

I'd hope they would be professional since they need me a lot more than I need them at this point but after talking with some people here I am not confident about their ability to do that.

I also talked with DH last night and if things go south he's 100% supportive of me going down to HR and quitting effective immediately. I'd only lose a week of pay and I am not putting this lab down for references I am not taking the risk.   It's going to sit as a resume gap filler just like Surgery Research does.

We'll see how today goes and take it from there.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

Boy for all the hubabaloo yesterday about me putting them further behind they sure aren't getting here early to talk with me.

If they had moved at MY pace and let me do what I do best they wouldn't be behind right now.   Both my former bosses told me that I am a good tech b/c I let them do what they do  best. . . make money.  I do that by being able to control the progress in the lab.   Here they want to micromanage me to death which means nothing gets done.

It's been endless plodding along collecting control data.   When I finished the task they went backwards and had me redo all the animals AGAIN b/c they didn't like the first set of control data, it wasn't perfect.  

Well that's research at some point you need to make a call b/c it's never going to be perfect.   If you have 2 years left on a grant you don't waste time sitting on control data.

I talked with the animal technician and I guess this lab was audited not too long before I arrived.  That's why they are suddenly appearing active.

That cements my decision to jump ship.   If you're hauling ass at the last minute that means someone is pissed with you.  Learned that with the Doxycycline fiasco, after I had to write an NIH audit report all of a sudden they had samples and wanted me to get them done in two weeks despite sitting on their asses for 4 years.

So there are no assurances I'd even make it 2 years, especially if they continue with their data collection at the rate they are going now.

WHY do I feel guilty?!  Guilt is an internal emotion I can only feel it if I allow someone to make me, I have NOTHING to feel guilty about!   So where the heck is it coming from?   And why do I feel so sick to my stomach right now?

Where did the tech who stood up to the vet at the risk of losing her job at Creighton go? Where did the tech that basically told her boss to suck eggs over the Doxcycline assay go?

On the happier less crazy side of things according to the HR person it looks like since I was employed at UNMC at the beginning of the year and I am returning before it ends everything should revert to what it was before I left.   She's not 100% sure but if she is correct that means my sick and floating holiday bank will be reinstated.  

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Have any abstracts or papers come out of the lab?  Hell, my lab used to submit no less than 3-4 abstracts for the annual meeting, even when I was the only tech working.  When we had a full lab, we would have 12-15 submitted.  Even when we only had one project running, I always had side projects going on for potential grant submissions, or other observations that I made that could provide more info.  I can't ever remember doing only one project at a time. I hated not being busy.

I can see going backwards to clean up data.....I've done it a few times myself, when I know that I can get my data tighter.  But you do this when you actually have data in the can and you have the time and resources to do so, not before!

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

I can see going backwards to clean up data.....I've done it a few times myself, when I know that I can get my data tighter. But you do this when you actually have data in the can and you have the time and resources to do so, not before!

Exactly. We did this with the HPLC projects.    I wasn't ever going to get them "perfect", especially drugs that are already difficult to assay like Vancomycin. So I'd get to where I could validate and let my PI decide if I should move forward.   Often times we sacrificed chromatography quality for accuracy.

Once I got all the samples run THEN we could go backwards if need be to run things that didn't turn out right. The priority was to get the samples run and produce results. Once we had that in the bag and everyone was happy I could go back and tweak.

Here it's been endless control data that has gone absolutely no where.   I haven't even heard about animals I did back in July, who knows what will become of them.   For all the claims that this project has to move quickly in four months I've done jack squat.  If this is moving fast I'd hate to see what moving slow is!

Papers have come out but from what I was told it's been awhile since they had their own paper.  It's all been on the coattails of collaborators.  

The animal tech told me she's surprised one collaborator is working with them again b/c their methods screwed the PI over big time.   The person who was my friend here was screwed out of her thesis, she hasn't  gotten the paper published and probably never will.  She doesn't have enough data and they aren't cooperating with her.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

always had side projects going on for potential grant submissions, or other observations that I made that could provide more info. I can't ever remember doing only one project at a time

There is nothing gone on here.  It's this ONE project which is why I don't understand the pace they've been moving at.   It's one thing when you have several going on at once like I did at the COP, you have to sometimes triage projects and hope for the best.

But this is ONE project.  You have a technician who came in already trained/certified to handle animals.   All they had to do was show me how to push buttons on the software and stick electrodes in which I mastered in the first week.

So WTF?

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Where are they in the grant cycle?  You said they have 2 years left, how long was the grant?  Have they submitted progress reports?  Have any abstracts been written on this study?  At the very least, it sounds like there could have been a development abstract submitted/written.

Are they writing any other grants?

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

They say they are but I haven't seen anything. I am not permitted to be a part of that process.  I'm not permitted to be a part of anything without them having to be in the middle.   I can't talk to other labs, I am not part of any meetings discussing projects.   I am not even allowed to determine what work I do for the day.

I am surprised I finally got access to the animal room.   I had the IACUC training done in the first hour I was here.

I am not sure how long the grant is or where they are in the cycle.

According to the animal tech they just had to submit a progress report and apparently it didn't go well.  She said that's why there is a sudden uptick in activity.  She said shortly before the tech before me came in their animal rooms were pretty much dead.  Several lines are now way too old to be used in experiments.

I had every intention of staying here 2 years when I got this job. And I have been trying REALLY hard to make things work but I can't. I am going to go all Yellow Wallpaper if I have to stay here any longer.

The job at UNMC is one of a lifetime. I get to be on the ground floor of something that could revolutionize research. Their hope is to eventually establish a Core facility for these mice that other researchers at UNMC and elsewhere can use. Guess who they foresee (if things worked out that way) as being the head of it eventually?

[MJ2.0]

Oct 23, 2015 8:19:48 GMT -5 NomoreDramaQ1015 said:

Boy for all the hubabaloo yesterday about me putting them further behind they sure aren't getting here early to talk with me.

If they had moved at MY pace and let me do what I do best they wouldn't be behind right now.   Both my former bosses told me that I am a good tech b/c I let them do what they do  best. . . make money.  I do that by being able to control the progress in the lab.   Here they want to micromanage me to death which means nothing gets done.

It's been endless plodding along collecting control data.   When I finished the task they went backwards and had me redo all the animals AGAIN b/c they didn't like the first set of control data, it wasn't perfect.  

Well that's research at some point you need to make a call b/c it's never going to be perfect.   If you have 2 years left on a grant you don't waste time sitting on control data.

I talked with the animal technician and I guess this lab was audited not too long before I arrived.  That's why they are suddenly appearing active.

That cements my decision to jump ship.   If you're hauling ass at the last minute that means someone is pissed with you.  Learned that with the Doxycycline fiasco, after I had to write an NIH audit report all of a sudden they had samples and wanted me to get them done in two weeks despite sitting on their asses for 4 years.

So there are no assurances I'd even make it 2 years, especially if they continue with their data collection at the rate they are going now.

WHY do I feel guilty?!  Guilt is an internal emotion I can only feel it if I allow someone to make me, I have NOTHING to feel guilty about!   So where the heck is it coming from?   And why do I feel so sick to my stomach right now?

Where did the tech who stood up to the vet at the risk of losing her job at Creighton go? Where did the tech that basically told her boss to suck eggs over the Doxcycline assay go?

On the happier less crazy side of things according to the HR person it looks like since I was employed at UNMC at the beginning of the year and I am returning before it ends everything should revert to what it was before I left.   She's not 100% sure but if she is correct that means my sick and floating holiday bank will be reinstated.  

This is just business - do NOT feel guilty. You know they would ax you in a heartbeat if it saved them some money. Look out for yourself because no one else is going to.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

This is just business - do NOT feel guilty. You know they would ax you in a heartbeat if it saved them some money. Look out for yourself because no one else is going

Yeah DH was going to smack me last night when I said I felt guilty. He said I give WAY too much for my jobs.  He said it's high time I get what I deserve and do something for myself for a change.   He pointed out I have been screwed over A LOT this year, I'm due for some happiness.

[Wisconsin Beth]

Oct 23, 2015 8:19:48 GMT -5 NomoreDramaQ1015 said:

On the happier less crazy side of things according to the HR person it looks like since I was employed at UNMC at the beginning of the year and I am returning before it ends everything should revert to what it was before I left.   She's not 100% sure but if she is correct that means my sick and floating holiday bank will be reinstated.  

Woohoo!! 

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

So talked to HR and the benefits information is correct they would end on the 15th since that would be the pay period I am exiting in.

They said I can sign up for COBRA and I'd only pay for it if we had a major medical event. Well with kids I feel we're just asking for it and that'd be over a grand we'd need to come up with just to cover two weeks of insurance.

If I want to leave on good terms and be eligible for rehire at Boys Town then I have to give two weeks. If I do not then I am taking my chances.

Honestly I don't care if I get hired at Boys Town again. This department sucks eggs and from what I have been told downstairs rarely has an opening. So what is here for me really?   

I think I am sticking with a week. If that makes a dick so be it.  They can either have me for a week or I can quit right now.   I'm not taking the risks with my insurance coverage for their sake.

[sbcalimom]

It never ceases to amaze me how clueless and unprofessional some employers can be. My BFF just left a job after 8 months where she was horribly mistreated and obviously miserable. She gave 1 week's notice and her boss said if you don't give 2 weeks then I won't be able to give you a reference and I am so disappointed that you are being unprofessional. Because in an at-will state where you can be fired at any time and you've had the experience from hell, giving two weeks is on the top of your priority list.

So excited for you NomoreDramaQ1015 that you're getting back to UNMC and a much better situation. Don't let them make you feel guilty at all - your job is to do what's best for you and your family, not save their backsides because they screwed up in the past and can't seem to get it together.

[Wisconsin Beth]

If you quit/they show you to teh door, would you be able to start earlier at UNMC?

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

I probably could but I don't know how that would look to UNMC.   I figure if I am forced to quit then I will keep mum to UNMC and just take a week's vacation before starting my new job,

I get NOTHING out of giving two weeks, it all benefits them.  They will generously allow me to sign up for COBRA, but I'd be looking at over a grand in insurance premiums if we ended up having to use it. Wow gee thanks.

I don't plan on them using them as references b/c I don't trust them.  I have plenty of references from Creighton and UNMC that I do trust.

I don't plan on ever coming back here for a job so the threat of not being able to ever work here again.. boo hoo.   

Talked to DH and he has my back.   So the plan is stick firm to my one week and call their bluff if they try to bully me. I don't need this job anymore they need me.

[shanendoah]

NomoreDramaQ1015 - Do not beat yourself up for feeling guilty. You feel guilty because there is a part of you (the amazing employee part) that thinks that maybe you could have somehow made this a better experience, that the work environment was something you should have had more control over. You feel guilty because you really did take this job with the intent to stay and leaving after only 4 months feels WRONG to you.
I cannot tell you to stop feeling guilty. We don't always control what we feel. We can control how we act, and so the best I can say is, don't act like you are guilty of anything - because you are not. You had no control over the work environment. You came in with the best of intentions but ended up in a place where you were miserable. Leaving is the best thing you can do.
I would expect them to give you even less work to do over the next week, so have a book or something with you to fill the downtime. Make sure you take your breaks - get out and walk if the weather isn't terrible.
You are making the best decision not just for your family but for your career.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

Thanks guys.  Deep down I know I am right but there is always that voice inside my head that is the naysayer.

AND it's on top of everything else this year.  This is a lot a lot to process and I am not sure how to.

DH said I am a better person than he is, he would have left his badge on the desk yesterday.

I really did try to do the right thing in regards to notice but Boys Town's policies are forcing my hand. I am not taking the chance with two small children of praying we won't need COBRA.   Not when I can leave in a week and get insurance for $215 a month.

And DH is right they already changed my start date at UNMC for me once and I have the offer letter.  It's not in MY best interests to jeopardize goodwill with my new employer just to do my current ones a favor.

[Wisconsin Beth]

Oct 23, 2015 11:26:26 GMT -5 NomoreDramaQ1015 said:

Thanks guys.  Deep down I know I am right but there is always that voice inside my head that is the naysayer.

AND it's on top of everything else this year.  This is a lot a lot to process and I am not sure how to.

DH said I am a better person than he is, he would have left his badge on the desk yesterday.

I really did try to do the right thing in regards to notice but Boys Town's policies are forcing my hand. I am not taking the chance with two small children of praying we won't need COBRA.   Not when I can leave in a week and get insurance for $215 a month.

And DH is right they already changed my start date at UNMC for me once and I have the offer letter.  It's not in MY best interests to jeopardize goodwill with my new employer just to do my current ones a favor.

There's probably a way to spin it to UNMC, should you be escorted to the door.  "I am unexpectedly available earlier than I thought I'd be.  Would it be advantageous to the lab to have me start working with Jane Roe on X date?" 

But time to de-stress between jobs also has benefits - or so I'm told.  I've always had my last day be a Friday and my first day be a Monday with no gap. 

[taz157]

Oct 23, 2015 11:34:51 GMT -5 Wisconsin Beth said:

Oct 23, 2015 11:26:26 GMT -5 NomoreDramaQ1015 said:

Thanks guys.  Deep down I know I am right but there is always that voice inside my head that is the naysayer.

AND it's on top of everything else this year.  This is a lot a lot to process and I am not sure how to.

DH said I am a better person than he is, he would have left his badge on the desk yesterday.

I really did try to do the right thing in regards to notice but Boys Town's policies are forcing my hand. I am not taking the chance with two small children of praying we won't need COBRA.   Not when I can leave in a week and get insurance for $215 a month.

And DH is right they already changed my start date at UNMC for me once and I have the offer letter.  It's not in MY best interests to jeopardize goodwill with my new employer just to do my current ones a favor.

There's probably a way to spin it to UNMC, should you be escorted to the door.  "I am unexpectedly available earlier than I thought I'd be.  Would it be advantageous to the lab to have me start working with Jane Roe on X date?" 

But time to de-stress between jobs also has benefits

With both of my jobs, I had 1.5 weeks off so I could get things taken care of. Granted, we were moving both times but it was very helpful. You could still just rest while the kids are at school/daycare and DH is at work.

[steph08]

Oct 23, 2015 11:34:51 GMT -5 Wisconsin Beth said:

Oct 23, 2015 11:26:26 GMT -5 NomoreDramaQ1015 said:

Thanks guys.  Deep down I know I am right but there is always that voice inside my head that is the naysayer.

AND it's on top of everything else this year.  This is a lot a lot to process and I am not sure how to.

DH said I am a better person than he is, he would have left his badge on the desk yesterday.

I really did try to do the right thing in regards to notice but Boys Town's policies are forcing my hand. I am not taking the chance with two small children of praying we won't need COBRA.   Not when I can leave in a week and get insurance for $215 a month.

And DH is right they already changed my start date at UNMC for me once and I have the offer letter.  It's not in MY best interests to jeopardize goodwill with my new employer just to do my current ones a favor.

There's probably a way to spin it to UNMC, should you be escorted to the door.  "I am unexpectedly available earlier than I thought I'd be.  Would it be advantageous to the lab to have me start working with Jane Roe on X date?" 

But time to de-stress between jobs also has benefits - or so I'm told.  I've always had my last day be a Friday and my first day be a Monday with no gap. 

Personally, I wouldn't even worry about it. If they can you, just take the week off. I know losing a week worth of work sucks, but just take the time to relax and gear up for your new job.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

To be honest I don't care if I lose the week but I am trying to be civil and at least give SOME notice.

I've never heard of benefits ending in a pay period.  That is Boys Town fault that I am not giving two weeks.  I am not jeopardizing our finances or health for some stupid policy.   They aren't going to scare me with the threat of never working here again.

If I wanted to work here I wouldn't be leaving!

[Lizard Queen]

Shit, when I quit, they paid for my insurance for 2 extra months.  I wasn't expecting them to, but was trying to help them out by training my replacement.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

I get nothing. I only get the pleasure of knowing if I needed to go to the doctor it'd cost me well over a grand and maybe someday I could work here again.

It also potentially starts me off on the wrong foot at UNMC by asking them to change my start date again.

It all benefits my current employer.

So no I am standing firm.  I have some leverage since they have me noise exposing a mouse today.   They have to be looked at again on Day 7 which is next Friday.

If you want to be a dick good luck getting your mice analyzed.

[Cookies Galore]

Drama, close your eyes and take a deep breath. And another. And another longer one.
You are getting away from a job that is making you miserable! You are going back to UNMC. You will be happier. You will be making more money. I know you're stressed about carrying the benefits and having a two-week gap in coverage. It WILL be okay! Honestly. You can negotiate a cash price if you need to see your doctor. Plenty of people have done it before. If something major happens and you have to get retroactive COBRA, it's okay. It's a small bump in the road and your family will be okay.
Don't let the soon-to-be former employer get to you!

[taz157]

Oct 23, 2015 12:14:46 GMT -5 Cookies Galore said:

Drama, close your eyes and take a deep breath. And another. And another longer one.
You are getting away from a job that is making you miserable! You are going back to UNMC. You will be happier. You will be making more money. I know you're stressed about carrying the benefits and having a two-week gap in coverage. It WILL be okay! Honestly. You can negotiate a cash price if you need to see your doctor. Plenty of people have done it before. If something major happens and you have to get retroactive COBRA, it's okay. It's a small bump in the road and your family will be okay.
Don't let the soon-to-be former employer get to you!

Yeah that! Well said!

[chen35]

I never understood how two weeks so much more helpful than one. I guess if you were finishing up a big project it could be good. Two weeks isn't enough time to hire and train someone new, and it's not like they have someone there you could train. So I really think it's just them being pissy. 

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

Well I am sticking with one week.   If they had offered to cover my insurance thru November I would be willing to make it work.   As it stands it doesn't matter how much notice I give since I lose my benefits and have to take COBRA regardless.

If I stick with a week I have my coverage here then smoothly slide into coverage at UNMC which only costs for our ENTIRE family around $215 a month.

Seems like a no brainer to me.