Ask the Experts: Starting Off on the Wrong Foot
Question:
Several months after applying for a job, I was called for jury duty. I was then offered the job by the employer, but they wanted me to start before the completion of my jury duty. I called the human resources representative at the employer to try to obtain some documentation that I could provide to the judge so that I wouldn’t have to serve on the jury. I wanted the judge to understand that I wouldn’t be getting paid by my employer if I had to serve on the jury. The human resources representative raised her voice at me and then discussed my request with my new manager and his boss. I was able to be excused from jury duty by showing that it would be a financial burden. How do I minimize the impact of this with the human resources representative, my new manager and his boss?
First Answer:
First let me say that it is supposed to be an honor, a right, and a responsibility unique to your status as a United States citizen to serve on a jury. No employer has the right to interfere with this duty. I am not sure what you are really asking in your question, since most employers DO pay bona-fide employees for their time served on a jury.
Instead of trying to get “out” of the jury duty, you could have postponed it (up to several times, if memory serves me) so that you could start your job and learn the ropes without interruption. Had you wanted to get out of jury duty so you could stay in your new job a bit longer before having to take time off, all you had to do was ask for a postponement. I think the HR person was annoyed because you emphasized the money instead of the fact that you would be inconveniencing the company by having to leave for jury duty. Money should not have ever been the issue, the time off, is.
— Alison Blackman Dunham, life & career expert, columnist, personal public relations consultant, half of THE ADVICE SISTERS®, and the author of the ASK ALISON career advice column
Second Answer:
Sorry someone was snappish with you, but don’t take it to heart. The HR rep, unless living on his or her own little planet, is probably embarrassed, hoping that you forget all about it. So once you start your new job, I wouldn’t mention the whole jury duty question again, just get on with your new career.
— Tracy Laswell Williams, certified job and career transition coach, accredited resume writer and founder of CAREER-Magic.com
Third Answer:
Any chance you are in a position to get another job at this time? My first reaction is that these people are being far too harsh on you as an individual and my second reaction is that I would recommend that you check with an attorney about your legal rights. I believe that you cannot be penalized for jury duty obligations, etc etc.. Why dedicate yourself to people whose values are skewed in the wrong direction? Just my opinion. You might want to try to initiate a dialogue to work things out but my intuition tell me you will be wasting your breath.
— Debra Feldman, founder of JobWhiz, creator of the JOBWHIZQUIZ, and specialist in cyber savvy strategic job search consultations
Fourth Answer:
Unless you provoked the human resources representative’s outburst by demanding documentation or being impatient, or you raised your voice in response, there shouldn’t be much damage to repair. Jury duty is an obligation in a civil society, and being asked to serve is not something you did to annoy your employer. Your request for documentation of the financial hardship, ie. lost income, that serving on a jury would cause created the outcome most beneficial to the employer: you were excused from jury duty and able to start your new job on their preferred start date. It’s no longer easy to defer jury duty (that’s what you’ve done: they’ll be back next year). Such requests are often initiated by the employer, for whom an absence may be particularly untimely. What behavior would the employer have preferred, that you serve on a jury and delay your start date by several days or weeks?
All that is warranted here is that you pay particular attention to arranging for your work to be covered while you serve when called up next year, whether that means cross training now, or rescheduling projects, or lining up temporary help.
If you feel you got off on the wrong foot with the three individuals involved, tell them you know it was awkward to have to ask for such documentation before you’d even started working and that you appreciate their assistance. It wouldn’t hurt to consider Steven Covey’s concept of daily reviewing whether you are putting deposits in your “career bank” or racking up debits. Deposits are acts of initiative and extraordinary performance that can boost a career; debits are actions that can negatively impact your career growth, such as an angry exchange with a coworker or blowing a deadline. Many positive actions will create a track record your management can see.
— Carol Anderson, Career Development and Placement Office, Robert J. Milano Graduate School of Management and Urban Policy at New School University in New York City
Fifth Answer:
By reading your response, it is difficult to determine “what you want to minimize?” Nothing is said about any problems that you have stemming from
this incident. Since this incident happened “several months in the past,”
the best course of action could be just to continue to go forward. Unless
there are specific problems which are a direct result of this incident, try
to put it behind you. Do the best job you can.
— Linda Wyatt, Career Center Director, Kansas City Kansas Community College
Sixth Answer:
Congratulations on landing the job! Unfortunately we can’t often control the timing. Jury duty can be a wonderful experience but at this time it would have been a financial burden rather than a privilege to serve. Although the HR representative may not have been as cordial as you would’ve expected, she did get the result you requested. As in all interactions in the process of hiring and starting a job, send a handwritten thank you note. Let her know how much you appreciate her going the extra mile for you when she didn’t have to. Let her know she can count on you in the future should any opportunity arise for you to reciprocate. Perhaps you can help with future recruiting or mentoring of interns. Personally thank your new manager and his boss for helping you get the paperwork you needed. Let them know how excited you are to be on their team and your eagerness to start making a contribution. It sounds like their willingness to help in this situation is part of why you accepted the job offer – make sure they are aware of this. This was one minor hurdle that was placed in your career path. It sounds like everyone wants you on board and was willing to take the necessary steps to make it happen. Now it’s time for you to sine and prove you were worth the extra effort!
If you are still wondering, work with a professional coach who can guide you through the process easier and faster. I am offering a 20% discount on one month of coaching to anyone who mentions this article.
— Janine A. Schindler, Professional Coach and owner of the Jas Coaching Company
