Hi, I recently was offered a job and plan to start in 2 weeks or so. However, the person who currently has the position is leaving before I officially start, so they want me to come in a couple of times for transition in the next week. I have to take time off from my curren job to do this. The new job hasn't talked to me about whether or not I am going to be paid for coming in either. The new manager seems to be a bit absent minded and I'm afraid she hasn't even thought about paying me.
Is this (new job asking new employee to come in before their official start date) common, and if you were asked to come in like this, would you ask the new employer if you will be paid for your time?
Thanks!
Thank you for all your responses! I did go in (two hours each, twice) before I started, without pay. No mention of pay and I decided not to bring it up. Just decided that I would benefit from going in and learning and making an impression that I am committed and motivated. The person whose place I took is now getting paid for her time when they call her to ask her questions, though.
Thank you for your responses, and I'll try to think positive and not to fuss about it!
I think it will be very beneficial to you to have a chance to talk to your predecessor before she leaves. If they can pay you, that's great, and I think they probably should. However, it would be worth it to me to do it anyway. Getting to know your predecessor will be extremely valuable down the road, in my opinion.
I would say that due to you still having another job, you are only able to do this on 2 half days (or whatever you could do). I would say "I am sure you understand as an employer."
It sounds like the person your new employer feels is best to train you is only available a limited time. Basically you told them you can start a specific day and they are asking that you start sooner. This is common because the employer needs to schedule the training around many different factors. It's perfectly fine for you to ask the employer something like, "What is my wage during this training period?" Then if they correct you and tell you that this is not part of training but rather when they want you to start working, you can decide from there if it is worth it to you to take the job the way they are offering it or turn it down. I had to do this with my current job. The guy who initially interviewed me told me my requested start date was fine. But the next guy above him said training is this day at this time, will you be there? There was no other option. Good luck and God bless!
This seems common enough to me, I started a new job a few months ago and did this. I was working part time at the time, so it wasn't a problem to come in though. My boss is also absent minded, and I think it would probably benefit you for that reason to come in while the other person is still there! :) If you don't come until after the current employee is gone, will there be someone to ask questions to? I will say I didn't get paid, and I don't think that the other employee got paid when she came in after I took over either. This probably should have happened, so ask about it if you feel comfortable! Otherwise chalk it up to a learning experience.
I did and I did not pay them. It was more like an interview in my mind. It told them where to clock in, how to do a couple of things, what would be expected of them beyond what we may have discussed during the interview.
It should not take more than a few minutes. In this case I would ask. Tell her your company is not able to let you off especially since you are leaving and needing to finish your work before you leave.
They should pay you. Have it in writing that they will. Your current job shouldn't have to suffer because you have to take time off---you still should be paid. GL
No, this is not common, and yes, you should ABSOLUTELY be paid for this.
not sure if 'transition' means 'meet the person you're replacing and get an overview, find the break room, etc' or 'training'. it's a little odd but not totally wrong if it's the former, but if it's the latter, it's definitely not common.
if she just wants you to come in and get the lay of the land, it may be a courtesy to both of you and you might not get paid. but if she expects you to come in for a day of training, of course you should be paid.
since you have a current job, it's sort of a moot point, isn't it? you can just say to her, 'i'm sorry, i've committed to finishing out my two weeks' notice at my current job and it would be unethical for me to take off. is this something i can run over and do after i finish up work at my current place of employment? no? i look forward to seeing you on my start date.'
khairete
S.
I would think you would want to come in to be taught how your predecessor did things. Many times in a business only one person knows how to do each individual job or is used to doing it every day so they are the best one to teach you. You may decide they aren't doing it the most efficient manner, but at least you have an idea of how it was done before. This way you are not reinventing the wheel. I would think you should be paid for this, but if not, it would still be beneficial for you to succeed in your new position.
Most states have a law where a company can not ask you to work with out compesation. That compesation maybe college credit (as for an unpaid internship) or money. I can see though were they would ask you to come in early. It is easier to train someone if the person currently holding the job does the training.
you should be paid if it's anything related to learning your job or having orientation of any kind. if it's anything other than an interview or signing some more paperwork, in other words. i would be a little concerned too :)
i would call them and get some clarification. explain that you gave your current job 2 weeks notice and you expected to have that since they told you your start date wasn't for 2 weeks - if you're going to be taking more time off, how long will they need you for, will it be on the clock, etc. there's no reason you can't ask these questions politely and you need to know. just ask.
You have a previous commitment - your job. Did your boss tell you to come in or your predecessor? If it was not your boss, then call her to confirm. If you feel you cannot take the time off, then you don't go. You do not have any obligation to do this if it wasn't a stipulation presented at the interview or when you were offered the position. Again, you are STILL working. If you do go, ask how your time will be logged. Yes, you should be paid for your time.
Not common. Did they tell you an official start date or did you give them a date of when you would start? If you are working, they should pay you. Training is not unpaid unless you are doing it on your own. If they wanted you to start earlier, they should have given you their timetable and had you decide if you could make it work.
