Accepted a job in a new city, but then badly injured my leg. My doctor told me not to move now. What does professionalism require?

Question

I am a software engineer in one of the big tech hubs in Canada who was poised to move across the country to the other. A couple of months ago, I accepted a new job with a firm there to start in the middle of February. However, I badly injured my left shin and ankle back in November. I hoped it would be better, but my doctor told me that it needs more time and potentially surgery if things do not improve. Well, it has not improved and I am in the middle of booking various medical treatments and additional physiotherapy.

I live with my parents in this city, so I don't need to do anything in terms of mobility. They can get groceries and packages for me and we live in the suburbs, so deliveries come straight to the door. They can make the big meals for me as it is hard for me to stand for more than a few minutes. I am still capable of working for my current employer as my existing job requires nothing of me than that I code and being a progressive workplace, has all the accessibility requirements met like elevators and large desks. They also moved the standups to the closer boardroom. It also works because my father has a job nearby and can drop me at the door every morning in his car. This job also pays for all the drugs and physio, something I wouldn't get right away with the new company.

In the new city, I would not have this level of support. My current condition does not allow me to drive and the new city is very dense and getting to the job will require transit and I cannot walk very far even with the crutches. I can't even drag a suitcase behind me in my current state, so I am not exactly sure how I would move. If I shipped my goods via Fedex, I am not sure I could get them into my prospective condo if they left them at the front desk. I also have no medical network there.

I informed them of this potential problem early on (late December) and told them that I may have to delay my start date. Their response was that "plenty of people come to work on crutches and painkillers." I felt somewhat guilty for making excuses, so I got a perscription for painkillers and those allowed me to somewhat walk on the leg at the cost of a lot of extra swelling when I do that. I can live with it if needed.

My doctor has a very dim view of all this. His view is that I need to stay in the city until at least mid April unless I want to limp forever. Historically he has overestimated things because he has been my doctor since I was 3, but even if I changed it to end of March, that is still a big shift.

How do I handle this with the company? It is a bit awkward explaining how my current employer works because of my city but not a different employer in another city.

Answer 1

Given the way your issue has been handled by each company, I'd be revisiting the decision to leave. A supportive company is often worth more than a couple of dollars in the paycheck.

Answer 2

Accepted a job in a new city, but then badly injured my leg. My doctor told me not to move now. What does professionalism require?

Professionalism requires that you follow your doctor's directions. Give your new employer the worst possible April estimate (or a May estimate in case it takes you a couple of weeks to move cities once you're able to).

Clearly, your doctor knows better than you do. You've been super foolish thus far trying to walk on that leg. And you're gearing up to do the same foolish thing again (because of some weird narrative you've constructed in your mind about your family doctor). If you keep on ignoring your doctor's advice, it probably won't be until December that you recover.

It is a bit awkward explaining how my current employer works because of my city but not a different employer in another city.

Do not volunteer more information than you need to right now.

Just tell them your physical predicament and provide a picture of the doctor's note, so that they can verify it if they want to.

If this issue of your end date comes up during your reference check, then explain it at that time. But personally, I wouldn't worry about that if I were you. After seeing the doctor's note, no one is going to ask you anything.

Answer 3

The professional thing to do is to keep your new employer informed of all the advice your doctor gives you as well as what you decide to do in accordance with that advice.

Since you haven't even started, asking for a temporary remote position might be a tough sell, but it's worth asking for. You can still do 1-on-1 learning though conference calls and video chat. There are ways to share screens and code so you aren't completely in the dark as to what's going on. This isn't a "magic pill" to solve all the problems you're facing, but it's something to show them that you are still interested in the position. If they agree, you know they are still interested in having you as well as knowing they are willing to work with you during situations like this.

Not every company allows remote work, especially for a new employee, so it may not work.

Don't let them bully you into coming sooner than your doctor allows. If this means the job disappears, then feel lucky you aren't stuck in a possibly toxic work environment, where they don't let you take time off for personal health reasons. Granted, you haven't started yet, but it's a clue as to their normal mindset. There are definitely times when an employer needs the new hire immediately or they otherwise can't wait months for the new hire, however, this isn't something that you did on purpose or are just "on the fence" about the job.

A reasonable employer will let you delay your start date a reasonable amount of time. A month or two shouldn't be unreasonable due to the circumstances. More than that becomes tougher to determine. If they are willing to work with you on any of this, that's a good sign this is a decent employer. Maybe they can't wait, so see if they are amicable with you applying for another position when you finally get healed enough to make the move. Even if they say it's ok, don't be surprised if you don't get that job, though. The hiring manager might be different and HR might (likely will) have a different view on the situation.

Good luck and I hope things work out for you in a positive manner!

Answer 4

The professional thing is to keep personal issues from affecting your work as much as possible.

So my first recourse would be to talk to the doctor. Explain your situation and see if there is anything that can be arranged. I'd go see another doctor if the first can't solve issues like this.

After that you can move forwards depending on the doctors advice.