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Leaving job HC update
Sorry this is long. I partially need to vent.
I posted this a few days ago. http://community.thenest.com/cs/ks/forums/thread/49446692.aspx
I checked in with my supervisor today and things did NOT go well. AT ALL. I have never seen my supervisor mad at me, and she just went off on me.
I told her other company said no, and that I was confused by the memo that I received from HR. She started to shrug her shoulders as if, "Well, too bad I don't know what to tell you." And then (in response to that) I said that we'd talked to the union rep who was clear that they have no right to ask this.
She FREAKED out and started yelling (there have been other union issues come up lately that probably triggered this). Her door was open and everyone overheard. In the course of the conversation, I said how it seemed like HR memo and that policy was trying to be punitive, and how I got mixed messages from her and HR and that it seemed like they were playing good cop/bad cop.
She said I was reading emotion into the memo (this is possible, I do this) and that they've done this with so many other employees and it's never been a problem for the new organizations. She also made a flippant comment that the place I'm going to work is a "monstrosity."
At one point, she ended up crying and saying how much she has on her plate and that she's trying to be supportive, but that she's only one person and can't do everything and this is REALLY bad time. She said I was one of the few ppl in the organization that she felt she could count on and that I'm leaving at such a bad time.
We somewhat smoothed things over and she promised to talk to HR person to see what' s possible. I even offered to split the costs (out of good will) and make a donation to the organization (non-profit).
My union rep wanted to get union involved, but I think that's just going to make things more tense (with supervisor).
Then, when I got back to my office, HR person came in and SHE told me off. She was livid. I know she heard everything b/c the walls are so thin.
She said it was deeply hurtful that I accused her of asking for that money b/c of personal reasons (ie we've never got along). However, I didn't say that. Supervisor also interpreted it that way, but I didn't say that. And she said how I basically implied she was evil. I don't think I've ever seen anyone that mad at me. She said it's one of the most insulting things she's ever heard in her life. And I tried to respond, and she wouldn't hear it, wouldn't let me say a word, and stormed out muttering something under her breath about me (possibly,"fvck you" or something to that effect).
I have 13 days left and feel like I'm going to puke being here. Everyone heard me being yelled at and yet no one has interacted with me since then, so I just feel weird and uncomfortable.
DH insists I did nothing wrong by bringing this up - and yet I feel so crappy. I feel isolated in my office at the corner and don't know how to work with all of these ppl for another 13 days.
I do/did NOT want to leave like this.
-C
Re: Leaving job HC update
You did not do anything wrong. They are asking you to pay $600 for HC costs and can't provide you with a policy that states you are responsible for the cost. I would get my union rep involved and would not be paying anything. You haven't done anything wrong. You've given them more than enough notice that you are leaving and they are trying to make you feel bad.
This.
I understand wanting to leave on good terms, but imo, it looks like you are letting emotions get in the way of your best interest - with your supervisor. She may have a lot on her plate right now, but that is no reason for her to stoop to emotional blackmail of an employee to "pay back" money that the company spent (not you), when there is nothing on paper to say that this was part of the deal all along. Get your union rep involved, and then take a step back to avoid any further potential emotional bursts from all parties involved.
Agree, you have done nothing wrong and if they cannot provide you with the written documentation stating you are responsible for repaying HC then too bad for them. Get your union rep involved, that is what they are there for. It's very unprofessional for your co-workers to act that way. Do you have vacation time left? I'd just use that up and get the f-outta there as soon as possible!
I'm sorry
My last job ended with just as much drama. My boss stormed into my office and screamed at me. I've never had anyone talk to me like that. On my last day I was not permitted to leave the office without being searched. Staff went through every single thing in my office before I was allowed to pack up, and then they again searched through all of my boxes and files right before I walked out the door. It was humiliating, over dramatic, and unnecessary. As unpleasant as it was, it was just another reminder that I needed to get the heck out of that place. It sounds like you really needed to get out, too.
It sounds silly, but I'm actually a bit scarred from what I went through at my last job. It felt like going through a bad break up - a person who I once liked and respected (and who liked and I thought respected me) ended up treating me like dirt. It's been four months, and honestly I'm still not over it. But thank God I got out.
I've just been reading some of your back posts... I'm happy for you that you've found another job and that you'll be leaving this organization!
I was curious from the backstory -- when they said they'd paid March's premium already, do you know (would they tell you?) when they paid it? You gave 4 weeks notice, and that may certainly have been enough lead time for them to work with their vendors to appropriately resize the premium amount for your coverage.
As with everyone else, until there is a policy and writing that can be produced, while they may "bill" you for the amount, you should not pay.
Bring copies of the employee handbook with you when you leave, and any intranet copy of policies related to termination and health care policies. Get a copy of your SPD ("Summary Plan Description") before you leave, too.
Ultimately, and it may come to this, you may have to work with a lawyer. In the meanwhile, ABSOLUTELY use the union for this. If you pay dues, that's what part of this buys you.
The bad news: If you indicate people rarely leave, they don't have a lot of precedence, one way or another, of how this gets handled regularly. Further, one of your posts said, I think, that only one person had willingly left, and it was months in the making (so, conceivably, they got the billing "right").
Finally, the HR person: She's too close to the situation, because of your ongoing relationship, and is taking a lot of this personally, and it is getting in her way of being effective. Keep your head down and don't engage. If she and your boss start making comments about blaming you, just respond with, "I understand that you feel that way" and leave it at that. No "I'm sorry" or engaging in making them feel better. It's an unfortunate part of business, but people leave, and it sounds to me as though you've done everything you're required, and more, that you owe the company. Remember, the COMPANY, your employer, is not your MANAGER, the person.
Good luck!
Thank you to everyone for the insight and advice. I totally agree that I've done nothing wrong. Yet, personally I'm susceptible to guilt and being yelled into submission (or at least engaging in indulgent compromise).
My husband says, "who cares? They're ridiculous," but I just care. I do. I don't like doing everything I'm supposed to do and having the result be guilt and funkiness. I've hoped that as I grow older, I'll grow a thicker skin, but this sort of stuff just really bothers me.
I couldn't sleep much last night, and woke up realizing how ridiculous their treatment is. Regardless of 2 weeks notice or not, regardless of contract, regardless of their past practice, regardless of how small an organization and how tight our budget - my union rep. told us it's illegal for them to force me to pay for HC that I'm not asking for. Is me then challenging them on that grounds for yelling at me within everyone's earshot? I don't think so. It was like trying to have a conversation with someone about the world, and their first point is to insist the sky is green.
I just wish I could say "screw you" and leave for good on the 28th. However, I wouldn't feel good leaving loose ends untied.
In terms of payment, supervisor left that she'd check in with HR Director to see and get back to me. If they're still requiring payment, I guess I'll then have to get union involved (I'm considering this last option not b/c I don't think I have a right to it, but b/c that would really burn bridges for good. I'm not really prepared to do that).
This has been a long time coming (I've felt something was off about this place since day 1). I guess I'll keep my head down and focus on what I have to do for the next 12 days to leave. 12 days! HR person is working from home today, so that's one less day of awkwardness.
Ditto x2. It sounds like they are trying to make you feel bad for leaving.
Unfortunately, it sounds like they have already started the fire. Even if this is resolved, I don't think I'd ever trust them for a reference.