Wow! Quitting a Job is Difficult

[youbet]

Buns......

Refer back to the "less vinegar, more honey" suggestion in my last post.....

It's very understandable that you are peeved that your school date will cause you to miss your pension vesting date by three weeks. It's very understandable that you're disappointed that your company cannot/will not make some sort of accomodation to help you. Your irritation and disappointment seem to be aggravated by your personal relationship with your manager and HR.

Nevertheless, you need to understand that when a company makes an exception to policy for one individual, especially in the area of ERISA controlled policies like pensions and vesting periods, the exception would have to be made for all employees, effectively changing the policy.

Normally, you do need to return to work from a loa and be reinstated before the loa time counts as seniority. And, normally, companies prefer to pay out unused vacation time as cash rather than extend seniority for the period of vacation time. I'm not saying I agree with these policies, I'm just telling you what is normal and customary.

Why not suck it up and try to work with your manager and HR to find a solution that's more win-win. How about Brat's idea of telecommuting? Or? Your manager and HR need some reason to treat your case differently that would be explainable to other employees and/or government regulators.

Not trying to give you a hard time....... Just trying to help you understand and level off since you may be irked enough that further negotiation and problem solving is impossible.

One other question. Why didn't you volunteer for the voluntary severance package when it was available a few weeks ago? Your own independent decision or as a result of advise you got from HR or your manager?

[Maximillion]

I suspect you are caught up in Corporate Policy and the HR People are not prepared to jeapordise their job for your job.

I am not sure how much you would lose by missinga few weeks of classes, should be pretty easy to catch up?

[Martha]

What is the leave of absence policy?

What is the vacation policy?

The answers to these questions would help in determining whether you might have any rights here.

(my gut feeling is that your are screwed, but I feel like we don't have enough facts)

[Texas Proud]

Also, why not see if you can get RIFed now... our company was doing it for people who later decided to leave... just go to HR and say you want the package now...

[BunsGettingFirm]

Good advice all around. It is important to step back a bit. I could tell going in that my older manager (who is now the manager's manager) was pissed that I had asked to be VRIFed and then just to be plainly RIFed. I can see why because she probably took it as a personal affront considering that she hired me, but after I explained to her that I needed to cover all the angles and that the dates aren't set by me, she seemed a little more understanding.

I'll step back a bit as well. I have already deleted the pension from my balance sheet, and frankly, it still looks about the same, so I guess I won't miss it that much. This way I can negotiate with far more flexibility by considering all the suggestions that you guys have offered: Telecommuting, LOA, groveling (just kidding), and leave out the going postal part.

Thanks all! Bitching BunsofVeal out!