Issue With Possible New Job....help!!!

[CindyN]

I am in a situation that I could desperately use some advice on. I have PTSD, anxiety disorder, panic disorder and have been trying to hold down a job. I was working full time and then had to stop and go to part time (with another company). I worked there for 4 months and ended up pretty much walking out when I was reprimanded for "using the bathroom too much"--I just couldn't handle the nit-picking and the boss "from hell".

Anyways, I've been out of work for a few weeks and was able to find a part time "nanny" position that I will start in two weeks. I did not tell my new employer about my "condition" because I've found that once I share it the job goes "bye-bye". The hours for the new job and the salary are awesome!!!

I received an email this morning from my new employer asking if I could work full time my first week and I immediately went into a panic attack--I CANNOT WORK FULL TIME!!!. I now don't know how to address this issue with my employer because most likely she will not hire me because of this issue and because I did not tell her up front. I've been in panic mode all day since receiving the email and have no clue on what to do.

Do any of you have any suggestions on how to move forward with this?? I tried talking to a friend that knows my situation and her answer was "just work full time that week"...and I wish it was that easy. I just cant do it and I know if I try I will be setting myself up for a week of hell.

Thanks for listening....

Cindy

 

[catjudo]

I now don't know how to address this issue with my employer because most likely she will not hire me because of this issue and because I did not tell her up front.

I don't see any need to tell your new employer about your condition just because she wants you to work full time the first week. All you need to tell her is that one of the reasons you accepted the position is because it is part time and that you are not available to work full time. There is no reason you have to explain why you are not available. Let her assume it is because you have other obligations on your time.

Sure, it's possible that she may decide to rescind her job offer because you're not available when she needs you. But, IMO, it's better to find this out now rather than later. If this is a deal breaker for your employer, it's likely an indication that there may be other times in the future when she'd like you work full time and would not be happy with a nanny who would not be open/available for that.

On the other hand, she may recognize that you were hired part-time and while it would be nice to have you full-time during the first week she can't necessarily assume or expect you to be able to fulfill that request.

There's only one way to find out how she will react. Just let her know you're not available.

 

[Deleted member 12723]

I agree with Catjudo. She said it all so well.Good luck

 

[anthony]

I see why you need to tell them anything about PTSD, simply more whether you want to work full-time or not. You got a part-time job, not a full-time job... the employer changed this on you. You haven't done anything wrong.

Now it is either up to you whether you want to try it or not. Is it full-time permanently, or do they simply need you for the first week only, full-time, then it is part-time? If that is the case, I'm sure you can manage for one week. No doubt you may have to reconsider if they have changed the terms on you beyond a week.

Honestly, I say good on your for your active job hunting. Only unemployed a short time, says you're back out and looking, selling yourself as the better person. Well done.