Poll of the Day > Just found out I'm gonna be out of work for about two weeks.

(+) Yeah! (+)

My store is currently under renovation, during which time only the drive thru is open. But I just found out today that toward the end of the construction the whole store will be closed for a while.

The downside obviously is that I'll be without a paycheck for that time. But I do have a little money saved up, so if I cut off any unnecessary spending now I can minimize the damage.

The good news is that I haven't had anything close to that much time off since I started working. Up until last year, the most I had ever taken off was three days. I'd really like to just veg out big time, and binge on games and shows, but I don't think I should.

I could also use the time to really look for another job, since one of my two major obstacles was that I work all day during the week. But the store is going to need experienced workers (which are in surprisingly short supply) when it reopens, and I'd hate to just turn my back on my boss like that. I also don't think I'd be able to find any work for just two weeks either. So I'm not really sure how I'll spend all that downtime.
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Most states let you file for unemployment if you're out of work due to a temporary layoff.

Bad news is the first week they usually don't pay you anything, but at least you'll get one week's worth if it's a two week layoff.

keyblader1985 posted...

I also don't think I'd be able to find any work for just two weeks either.

You can at least get your interviews done, though. Depending on the urgency to fill a job, employers can respond really quickly.
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Just find a new job and tell them you'll need a couple of weeks before you can start. Shouldn't be a big deal. Then you don't leave your old boss high and dry and you still get time off.
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Smarkil posted...

Just find a new job and tell them you'll need a couple of weeks before you can start.

Is that really something that's acceptable to do though? (I'm actually asking.) I always assumed it was generally frowned upon, and that most of the time when a company is hiring that means they actually need help then.
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keyblader1985 posted...

Smarkil posted...

Just find a new job and tell them you'll need a couple of weeks before you can start.

Is that really something that's acceptable to do though? (I'm actually asking.) I always assumed it was generally frowned upon, and that most of the time when a company is hiring that means they actually need help then.

It should be. Granted, as I recall you're in a bit of an unskilled position which makes it a little harder to do, but what's the worst that can happen? If you ask me, I prefer to hire employees that respect their previous employers. Even if they're trying to make a change.
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keyblader1985 posted...

Smarkil posted...

Just find a new job and tell them you'll need a couple of weeks before you can start.

Is that really something that's acceptable to do though? (I'm actually asking.) I always assumed it was generally frowned upon, and that most of the time when a company is hiring that means they actually need help then.

Yup. Happens all the time. Employers know that it's worth delaying it a bit in order to get the employee the want.

One thing that's very common where I work is we hire a new person, and then two weeks later they're gone for a week or two for holidays they already had booked. It's fine, you just need to be upfront about it.
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Also, yes, apply for unemployment. Due to delays and stuff, you probably won't get the money until after you're back at work, but there's no reason not to collect it. That's what it's there for.
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keyblader1985 posted...

Smarkil posted...

Just find a new job and tell them you'll need a couple of weeks before you can start.

Is that really something that's acceptable to do though? (I'm actually asking.) I always assumed it was generally frowned upon, and that most of the time when a company is hiring that means they actually need help then.

Yes!

Why wouldn't it be? You don't owe your employer anything, just like they don't owe you anything. You both agree on a wage and what you have to do to earn it, anything after that is choice.

They wouldn't hesitate to let you go if they thought it would save them money. If you stand to make more money/have a more fulfilling life you should absolutely take it and feel no shame in doing it.
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If you can get a better job, do it. You always gotta look out for yourself. You don't owe your current job anything. People change jobs all the time nowadays, it's fine, though you want to be tactful about it, and give them notice if it's feasible with the new job's start.

At least you might as well use these two weeks. If it doesn't work out in two weeks, then you don't have to keep looking if you don't really care that much, but you should take advantage of that time while you can.

Dynalo posted...

Yup. Happens all the time. Employers know that it's worth delaying it a bit in order to get the employee the want.

One thing that's very common where I work is we hire a new person, and then two weeks later they're gone for a week or two for holidays they already had booked. It's fine, you just need to be upfront about it.

That's common?
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Revelation34 posted...

That's common?

Yeah. We hire a lot of new grads, and they often want to take a trip with their friends in the summer as one final hurrah, and it's not really worth postponing their start date by a month or two when we can better utilize that time for training them. So we tell them to start asap, and to take the week or two off for the trip, no big deal.
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