A few months ago my boss mentioned at my year offering me health ins or an equivalent raise. When the time came, he asked me to be patient b/c the company was in a slump. This sparked me to keep my options open and start looking for another, better opportunity. I have gone on 1 interview and am supposed to know something by tomorrow. Unfortunately, someone got into my bag under my desk and saw some classified ads and he asked me if I was looking yesterday. I lied and said no b/c I knew that would set a horrible mood and I do not have another job yet. He asked again today with seriousness and I couldn't lie. Now, I am to tell him when he gets back whether or not he needs to put an ad in the paper. I DO NOT HAVE ANOTHER JOB YET! How am I supposed to say yes and then the 1 interview fall through and be able to survive? It's not a crime to look and I feel as if he is backing me in a corner. Can he do that? How can he make me either give a notice or promise to stay? I live in KY. HELP ME!!!
2007-08-02 07:09:48 · 10 answers · asked by barefootbabee 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Tell him the truth. Tell him that if you find another job that you will give notice of your intent to leave so that he will have time to find your replacement. If he values you as an employee he might even come up with an offer to keep you on the job.
2007-08-02 07:15:45 · answer #1 · answered by Janet 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ok, first off, he hasn't given you an ultimatum. His concern is that you will quit and that he will not be able to fill the position. There is absolutely no harm in being transparent with your employer. If he asked that question it's because you are needed and not easily replaced. That means he won't ask you to leave unless he can find a replacement.
You should be frank with him and tell him that you are a sane person and that you have been keeping your options open, as going without health insurance or a raise is not cutting it for you. Promise to give him 2 or 3 weeks notice and to help find a replacement (if there is no HR division) to ease his concerns. He has a business to run, and if you up and leave, that means everyone else is likely to suffer, so he needs to know if you are planning on moving out.
So tell him that you have not found a more suitable job and he doesn't need to put an ad in the paper. But that if and when you find a better job, you will do everything in your power to make the transition seemless. Make sure you assert how much you like your current job and would be happier with the raise he promised.
Also find out who went through your bag and send them a letter bomb ;-)
btw, people here are saying it's illegal for him to fire you for job hunting. That's not entirely true. If you are an at will employee (meaning you don't have a binding contract), he can fire you for beeing 5 seconds late, not liking the color of your shoes, or whatever he feels like, as long as he doesn't sight race, religion, creed, sex, ethnicity or the like, as being the reason for your employment termination.
2007-08-02 14:23:43 · answer #2 · answered by largegrasseatingmonster 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like you probably need to get off of Yahoo! answers and start looking for a job.
Your boss has to understand that you were working along thinking you had a raise or benefits coming, and then got nothing.
I would discuss it with him, and see if they could find a way to hook you up with a little raise if they want you to stay, with the understanding that you want more later.
I tried to get more money out of one of the guys I worked for - and some insurance. He turned me down, so I quit on the spot. What he didn't know is that I already had another job lined up.
You might have to find something to do in the meantime - I worked for a crane company for a couple of months in between the job I quit and when I found my current position. It was some of the dirtiest, coldest, and highest off the ground work you can imagine, but it paid the bills in the meantime.
I spent every single second I wasn't at work polishing my resume, hunting for jobs, going on interviews, and finally landed a great job (which I am supposed to be doing right now...) oh well - fortunately I'm really good at what I do, so I can slack off for a little bit every now and then.
2007-08-02 14:23:54 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
He cannot make you promise to stay and hold you to it. You are not required to give notice but it is courtesy.
Really it's none of his business but he could hire someone else and terminate you out of fear of being left hanging. It may be best to just come clean. He has no right to hold you back professionally or personally and he must realize you are working to make a living, not for charity or out of the goodness of your heart.
I would sit down with him in private and say "yes, i've been on a job search because ________. At this time I don't have any prospects but I will give you my notice if and when I do find a new job." I will keep the cards out on the table and not give the appearance you are doing anything underhanded or trying to leave him in a bad spot.
2007-08-02 14:41:51 · answer #4 · answered by Sandy Sandals 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As long as you aren't interviewing or jobhunting on his company's time, he has no right to restrict your job search, or fire you because of it.
Also, unless a company can provide a legitimate safety reason and inform employee of the policy in advance, they can't search your personal belongings.
Tell him you will grant him two weeks' notice if and when you accept a job offer from another company, but until then you have no plans to leave your current employment. Gently remind him that it is illegal to harass or otherwise punish an employee for job-searching, or anything else they may do on their personal time.
I think you should definitely leave this job at the first opportunity, they sound manipulative and unethical.
2007-08-02 14:21:24 · answer #5 · answered by teresathegreat 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm in Kentucky too, which is a fire at will state. You can be fired for any reason or no reason.
They do not have to provide you with insurance or a raise.
Just tell him you are not leaving the company, but you can still go to interviews and if you find something else, make sure to give 2 weeks notice. Your boss may just be afraid you are going to walk out without notice and he won't have time to find a replacement.
2007-08-02 14:20:43 · answer #6 · answered by angel of death 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would not say anything to him confirming your job hunting. If he becomes vindictive he could fire you without you having something else to turn to financially.
Just tell him you always read the want ads (use a boyfriend or family member for an excuse if necessary).
I'd not want to lie but then again, I'd not want to be put in a precarious financial situation.
Just make sure if you do find something to give him two weeks notice.
Good luck to you!
2007-08-02 14:19:29 · answer #7 · answered by ♥Lucifer♥ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Assuming you are not working under contract, he can not make you do anything. However, he could also fire you.
If you are working there full time and the company is more than a certain size, they are required by law to provide you with health insurance.
2007-08-02 14:14:17 · answer #8 · answered by Michael C 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Tell him no, but be darn sure to give him 2 weeks notice when you DO get other employment, to prevent him from being able to "honestly" bad mouth you to others.
2007-08-02 14:13:58 · answer #9 · answered by marconprograms 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you can be fired for anything. except race, sex or creed. otherwise, find a new job.
2007-08-02 14:14:25 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋