How do I handle this job situation? Update post #38

[disneystacy]

I decided to go back to work a few weeks ago. Hubby works from home and my youngest is in full day preschool a couple of days a week. Anyhoo.... the hair stylist I go to told me the salon is hiring a front desk manager. Perfect...exactly my experience. She tells me to bring in my resume and she will give it to the owner. This was about 4 weeks ago. My hair stylist told me the owner is really interested in talking to me, but is really busy. Ok fine.

Two weeks ago I was looking on craigslist, a similar job popped up at a different salon so I went to the salon and brought my resume and was hired on the spot. Really like the girls, but the pay is not that great.

I didn't tell my stylist that I took the new job (btw up the street from each other) and she emailed me today and wants me to come in to the salon tomorrow, the owner wants to talk to me. I know this job pays way more money if I even get offered it, but I have a feeling I will.

This is what I need to know. Do I mention that I took a job up the road and have been working for 2 weeks? Don't say anything at all?

If I get offered the job tomorrow what do I tell current job? The truth? Just say I received a better offer and leave it at that?
Thanks for any advice or opinions.
I never had this experience before.

[LadyZolt]

Well, first -- when you applied at the second salon and got offered the job, did you tell them you had a previous commitment to another place and that if they decided to hire you, you would feel obligated to fulfill your existing commitment?

If the answer to that is "yes" that you were totally forthcoming with them, then if you should get offered the job at the original salon, you should take it and tell the other place "thank you kindly and I am sorry I must honor my previous commitment."

If the answer to that is "no" and you took the job at the second place without telling them about the first place, then I think you have an obligation to that second salon. You knew the pay scale when you agreed to it and it was good enough for you to take it, even though the other place might pay more. The salon that hired you did nothing wrong. If you didn't tell them you might be going to another place, I feel that you have a duty to them to work there at least three or four months and then respectfully resign, giving two weeks' notice and explaining something like "while I enjoyed the experience, I don't believe I am the best fit for your organization, so I am resigning to allow you the opportunity to find a better suited person to fill this position."

Good luck with whatever happens!

-Dorothy (LadyZolt)

[smkiya]

Originally Posted by disneystacy

I decided to go back to work a few weeks ago. Hubby works from home and my youngest is in full day preschool a couple of days a week. Anyhoo.... the hair stylist I go to told me the salon is hiring a front desk manager. Perfect...exactly my experience. She tells me to bring in my resume and she will give it to the owner. This was about 4 weeks ago. My hair stylist told me the owner is really interested in talking to me, but is really busy. Ok fine.

Two weeks ago I was looking on craigslist, a similar job popped up at a different salon so I went to the salon and brought my resume and was hired on the spot. Really like the girls, but the pay is not that great.

I didn't tell my stylist that I took the new job (btw up the street from each other) and she emailed me today and wants me to come in to the salon tomorrow, the owner wants to talk to me. I know this job pays way more money if I even get offered it, but I have a feeling I will.

This is what I need to know. Do I mention that I took a job up the road and have been working for 2 weeks? Don't say anything at all?

If I get offered the job tomorrow what do I tell current job? The truth? Just say I received a better offer and leave it at that?
Thanks for any advice or opinions.
I never had this experience before.

I would not tell either of the other. If you get the new job, give the other place 2 weeks notice. Tell them you were offered a position that you applied for prior to them and the pay/benefits were more of what you were looking for. Be gracious! I'm not really sure how youd handle the new place, as I'm sure eventually theyd find out. If it comes up, don't lie! Be honest.

[hrh_disney_queen]

Originally Posted by smkiya

I would not tell either of the other. If you get the new job, give the other place 2 weeks notice. Tell them you were offered a position that you applied for prior to them and the pay/benefits were more of what you were looking for. Be gracious! I'm not really sure how youd handle the new place, as I'm sure eventually theyd find out. If it comes up, don't lie! Be honest.

I agree with this post. You don't owe anything to the salon you took the job from except an honest days work for an honest days pay. I am assuming you don't have a contract, which means you can leave at any time, and they can fire you at any time. I would give them one to two weeks notice, depending on how soon you want to start working for the new salon. The new job doesn't need to know anything, but if it comes up later you will just tell them that you really wanted to work for them..they will not be angry that you chose them over the other.

Again, you don't owe the salon anything, certainly not by staying in a position that you don't want just out of some kind of obligation. You did not have an obligation to let them know that you had a resume some where else. If you wait 3 or 4 months the other job will be gone. Loyalty is nice, but it doesn't pay the bills. This kind of thing is done all the time. Of course you should be gracious and thank them for the opportunity, but you have had another offer that is best suited for your needs. Period.

[smkiya]

Originally Posted by LadyZolt

If the answer to that is "no" and you took the job at the second place without telling them about the first place, then I think you have an obligation to that second salon. You knew the pay scale when you agreed to it and it was good enough for you to take it, even though the other place might pay more. The salon that hired you did nothing wrong. If you didn't tell them you might be going to another place, I feel that you have a duty to them to work there at least three or four months and then respectfully resign, giving two weeks' notice and explaining something like "while I enjoyed the experience, I don't believe I am the best fit for your organization, so I am resigning to allow you the opportunity to find a better suited person to fill this position."


-Dorothy (LadyZolt)

I don't know how much more the other place pays, but I feel that my only 'obligation' is to my family. The difference in pay could be an electric bill, a car payment, childs education, etc. Maybe I'd give 3 weeks instead of 2, to give them more time to find someone else, but really that is all you really 'owe' them.

If the other job is offered and you know it would be a better fit for you, take it! There's nothing like shoulda, woulda, coulda....

[waltsgirl]

I agree you have no obligation to any one salon, I would say don't burn your bridges and be careful. If the salons are right up the street from each other I am sure the owners speak to each other and you never know

[Mickey's Minion]

Originally Posted by LadyZolt

Well, first -- when you applied at the second salon and got offered the job, did you tell them you had a previous commitment to another place and that if they decided to hire you, you would feel obligated to fulfill your existing commitment?

If the answer to that is "yes" that you were totally forthcoming with them, then if you should get offered the job at the original salon, you should take it and tell the other place "thank you kindly and I am sorry I must honor my previous commitment."

If the answer to that is "no" and you took the job at the second place without telling them about the first place, then I think you have an obligation to that second salon. You knew the pay scale when you agreed to it and it was good enough for you to take it, even though the other place might pay more. The salon that hired you did nothing wrong. If you didn't tell them you might be going to another place, I feel that you have a duty to them to work there at least three or four months and then respectfully resign, giving two weeks' notice and explaining something like "while I enjoyed the experience, I don't believe I am the best fit for your organization, so I am resigning to allow you the opportunity to find a better suited person to fill this position."

Good luck with whatever happens!

-Dorothy (LadyZolt)

I don't agree with this. I find it way more offensive to leave after three or four months than to just cut the ties now.

Why string the salon along, letting them train you, gaining experience when you have every intention of leaving in a few months? That is not fair to the company.

Apologize, explain that you made a mistake, and cut the ties now so the salon can find somebody to invest their time and training in that wants to be there and you can move on to a job that better suits you.

Sometimes there just isn't a good fit with a job. It is better to let the company know right away so both of you can move on.

[LadyZolt]

Originally Posted by smkiya

I don't know how much more the other place pays, but I feel that my only 'obligation' is to my family.

This speaks to work ethic. If we expect our employers to treat us with respect, we should do the same to them. The OP took the offered job, so therefore the pay scale was acceptable to her and the second salon shouldn't be dumped like an old sweater. They should be given some amount of respect if for no other reason than it is not a good idea to burn your bridges.

Originally Posted by Mickey's Minion

I find it way more offensive to leave after three or four months than to just cut the ties now.

Why string the salon along, letting them train you, gaining experience when you have every intention of leaving in a few months? That is not fair to the company.

To repay the expense of hiring someone, it generally takes about three months of the employee working. In this case, though, they may not have expended much money and so wouldn't be out that much. But I'm saying if the OP took the job, then surely the pay scale was acceptable to her and since the salon that hired her did it in good faith, she should likewise consider their needs as she makes this decision. Perhaps she should ask them how much time they would need to replace her and give them that much, be it one day or three months. I think if she approaches it in a professional way and is willing to give them the time they need, all three parties will be satisfied in the long run.

-Dorothy (LadyZolt)

[diznygirl]

Most businesses would think nothing of letting you go the same day - and have the legal back-up that employment is at-will. Well, that goes both ways. Be gracious, but you don't owe them anything more than that.

[BelleWDW]

Originally Posted by disneystacy

but the pay is not that great.

I didn't tell my stylist that I took the new job (btw up the street from each other) and she emailed me today and wants me to come in to the salon tomorrow, the owner wants to talk to me. I know this job pays way more money if I even get offered it, but I have a feeling I will.

.

How in the world would you know this?

[Swimnoid]

I don't know but I see a couple of red flags with the first place. You put your resume in and they don't call you for a month because the owner is too busy. Then the owner isn't even the one who calls you to schedule the interview but you get an email from your stylist. It just doesn't sound very business like to me. Which job would create a more secure environment?

[disneystacy]

Originally Posted by BelleWDW

How in the world would you know this?

I dicussed the salary with my stylist a few weeks back.

[disneystacy]

Originally Posted by LadyZolt

This speaks to work ethic. If we expect our employers to treat us with respect, we should do the same to them. The OP took the offered job, so therefore the pay scale was acceptable to her and the second salon shouldn't be dumped like an old sweater. They should be given some amount of respect if for no other reason than it is not a good idea to burn your bridges.



To repay the expense of hiring someone, it generally takes about three months of the employee working. In this case, though, they may not have expended much money and so wouldn't be out that much. But I'm saying if the OP took the job, then surely the pay scale was acceptable to her and since the salon that hired her did it in good faith, she should likewise consider their needs as she makes this decision. Perhaps she should ask them how much time they would need to replace her and give them that much, be it one day or three months. I think if she approaches it in a professional way and is willing to give them the time they need, all three parties will be satisfied in the long run.

-Dorothy (LadyZolt)

I do feel bad about leaving the first salon if I get a better offer, but I don't feel I "owe" them anything other than 2 weeks notice. They could let me go in a heartbeat for any reason, and most likely not give me any notice at all.

The salon is still receiving calls for my job from the ad that was placed. I don't think they will have any trouble replacing me.
I was trained in a day to work the computer system.

[disneystacy]

Originally Posted by Swimnoid

I don't know but I see a couple of red flags with the first place. You put your resume in and they don't call you for a month because the owner is too busy. Then the owner isn't even the one who calls you to schedule the interview but you get an email from your stylist. It just doesn't sound very business like to me. Which job would create a more secure environment?

The owner is not a business person, thus the need to hire someone. She has a front desk girl now who is going to be starting school and the full time manager she had was let go due to her not doing her job. I have been going to this salon for years.
No job is secure these days. Both salons have very nice people working in them.

[Angelhalo]

Originally Posted by hrh_disney_queen

I agree with this post. You don't owe anything to the salon you took the job from except an honest days work for an honest days pay. I am assuming you don't have a contract, which means you can leave at any time, and they can fire you at any time. I would give them one to two weeks notice, depending on how soon you want to start working for the new salon. The new job doesn't need to know anything, but if it comes up later you will just tell them that you really wanted to work for them..they will not be angry that you chose them over the other.

Again, you don't owe the salon anything, certainly not by staying in a position that you don't want just out of some kind of obligation. You did not have an obligation to let them know that you had a resume some where else. If you wait 3 or 4 months the other job will be gone. Loyalty is nice, but it doesn't pay the bills. This kind of thing is done all the time. Of course you should be gracious and thank them for the opportunity, but you have had another offer that is best suited for your needs. Period.

Agreed. I don't think the OP owes the salon that she accepted the position at anything other than a fair leave notice of 1-2 weeks, whatever their policy is. Other than that her obligation is to her family. If the first salon pays significatly more and offers her a position then she should take it. I don't think it speaks anything of "work ethic" It would be dumb for her to stay at a lower paying job, if a higher paying job has been offered.

OP I think you should just wait and see what happens after you talk to the owner of the higher paying salon. Don't say anything to either about the other until you have a firm offer from the second salon. If they offer you something and the pay is higher and you want to take it, then just turn in your notice at the first place and tell them that you found a position that is a better fit for your familys financial needs. Work your 2 weeks and then go to the second salon. When the second salon offers you the position, tell them that you must work your week's notice at your current job, and then you will be available.