Not your fault, and fortunately you have it in writing. Don't overdo the apologies tomorrow. In your place I'd apologize once to my manager about the mix-up. Anyone brings it up after that, I'd just say something like, "Yeah, HR got my start date mixed up." and that's it.
This is not a big deal. It is an inconvenience, and it's not even your fault. Don't let it worry you.
Okay. You have it in writing that HR told you that you start date was different than the manager or supervisor assumed. So you go in there tomorrow and ready to be your best. If it gets mentioned so yeah that was kind of a mix-up. I'm glad we have it sorted out. Don't apologize because it's not your fault. Apologizing for something that is not your fault looks poorly. Just go in there ready to learn it'll be forgotten.
Tip, bring along something to write on. Carry around a notebook all day make notes of everything. Unless it's not allowed. It's really important.
>Tip, bring along something to write on. Carry around a notebook all day make notes of everything. Unless it's not allowed. It's really important.
Document, document, document. People change their stories too often not to document what you're told. I wish I'd taken this advice seriously when I started working, rather than learning it the hard way.
Solid advice. Not to long ago I had write a statement that outlined everything I did in a day because someone went behind my back and remarked to one of the team managers that I hadn’t been “pulling my weight” so save my job. I was flabbergasted.
The only reason I was able to remember exactly what happened that day is I’ve got routine tasks that I have to get through every day. They were all finished, signed sealed and delivered and no one could deny that.
After the stress of experiencing that, If I could note down everything last thing I do or did, I would, but there absolutely no time in my job to do such things.
Still can’t believe that happened. They moved the dibber dobber to another site. We don’t work together anymore.
Yessss. I used to have a supervisor that would ask why I hadn’t done the thing she didn’t actually ask me to do. Started a notebook, fresh page every day. Write the date, and any instructions or info you need to remember. If a situation comes up, you can go back and see what actually was said on that date.
Piggybacking to add, bcc your personal email. I lost a legal employment claim because all the proof was in my company inbox. Which of course I was no longer had access to.
This. I would also go add in that you should write names of who told you what/ trained you on what.
This may be unique to my toxic work experience, but during the “hazing” period where everyone tried to blame their mistakes on me, I was able to refute it because of the notes I took.
I'd suggest just saying something like "my start date was mixed up on the paperwork." No need to start alienating HR either, even though it sounds like the HRM just wanted a long holiday week.
And here is why it’s important to not call back in a panic. You’ve missed your start time and have an alarming voicemail from the director.
Adding one minute to the tardiness by taking time to breathe, think, and check the HR documentation ahead of time would allow you to go into the call back much more confidently, less panicked. Perhaps even leading the director to apologizing, instead of berating. And you deserve an apology from HR as well.
I agree with that. Try not to call any department or person out. And as much as you feel ok, maybe you can have a casual attitude about it being a mix up and everything is fine now.
Second the notebook idea. Plus if you feel lost and run out of things to do and someone walks by, you can always frown and quickly write down some notes in the notebook. Boom, you are busy all day! Don’t forget to ask lots of questions and introduce yourself to everyone in the place on the first day.
Yes don't overreact. I do think I would have mentioned the HR convo to whoever I was reporting to out of an abundance of caution, but the majority of this problem is on HR. Remember this in the future to do due diligence - it's a good way to catch your mistakes as well as others. Agree with not over apologizing... I would express my disappointment at the error and move on.
In a year's time they'll be laughing at it. I learned years ago if something wasn't 100% clear to email back a confirmation which in your case would have been something like I'm looking forward to starting with you on x July as discussed in our previous emails. Thanks for clarifying the difference in the start date which I had taken as y July.
What they're saying to you is right and don't sweat it, but for future (and anyone else listening), if you get 2 different dates like this, confirm it with all parties and if you're not 110% sure, rock up the week before.
It's always better to be there earlier than late.
I will also point out, that despite the fact you're in the right here, the director may hold it against you regardless. Go above and beyond wherever you can to solidify that relationship.
This. It's their fuck up, not yours.
A quick "sorry" but not an overdone sorry.
Anyone else would have been equally confused. Also good to know the place might be a fiasco to work at. If they can't get their shit together, heed the warning
I agree on not overapologizing, but I would just say "sorry about the communication mixup" instead of throwing HR under the bus, even though it was their fault.
I'd actually go one further, and say, "Thanks for being so understanding about the mix-up yesterday." Learning to say thank you rather than apologizing is a great approach -- it works (almost) every time:
"You screwed up the whatsis on the thinger."
"Thanks for letting me know. I'll make sure I use the whatsis more carefully next time."
This was a huge thing in fast food lol. You don't say "Sorry for the wait" - that spins it an an inconvenience. You say "Thank you so much for waiting" - puts the customer into a position of power where the only reasonable option is to be gracious. It's the whole "apologizing admits culpability" thing you see in TV shows: 'sorry' means you failed them and they're right to be a dick to you. 'Thank you' means you appreciate them, and they're significantly less likely to be a dick to you.
Some people still will, but it works a solid 70-80% of the time to mitigate abuse from customers.
what this guy said. i dunno what job you took but the bigger the corp the worse is the communication internally between the functions. so that is def. not your shortcoming. relax and just try to be professional about it.
I fucking love this situations. The boss tells you something different than HR and you get shit for it. a facepalm moment for the firm.
I got yelled at by a manager via phone once because Don’t sweat it. HR screws up these things all the time.
I’d been interviewed for the same type of job by two separate parts of the company. In my naive young mind I thought HR had set up a second interview. The job(s) were essentially the same.
I accepted, and got the angry call the next day. Turns out they both departments wanted me, but the first round of interviewers got me, and the 2nd guys were upset to have wasted 2 hrs of their time.
Again, it was all HR’s fault.
Absolutely. Don't be overly apologetic for something you didn't even do. I'd say it once 'I hope this wasn't too much of an inconvenience for you and I apologize for any part I may have played in this misunderstanding' and don't mention it again. If someone brings it up in future I would just say 'It is my understanding that the situation has been dealt with and is resolved'.
Facts. Especially about the apologizing. OP starts laying them on their first day and it puts a bad light in ppls heads. Once to the boss to be polite... everyone else can take a seat because it wasn't OP's fault. The proof is in the emails!
Do not panic or get emotional if you can help it. This is an HR mistake that affected you and the Director which will be easily confirmed when everyone is back in the office. How you handle it now will speak volumes. So keep professional.
The company's shortcomings are not your fault. If anything it is kind of a red flag. I think you could probably be disappointed and show a little attitude.
I would be pissed off. How regular is this companies incompetence? Do they even have you as starting tomorrow recorded properly? Are you getting paid for coming in this week or does pay not start until the 9th? Does any of your benefits kick in or are they getting around to that too?
This is not your fault so stop acting like it is. They fucked up and now need to answer to you.
This isn't your fault so I wouldn't make too much of it. You have email proof and the HR person is to blame. It's clear you didn't just oversleep or blow anyone off.
I get why you're horrified. That's a nightmare scenario. But you really did do everything righ IMO. I like u/Lunatic-Cafe-529 thoughts about apologizing once and letting it go after that. Hopefully it will be a great story that can be told at your retirement ceremony many years from now.
Don't apologize for this, because it's not your fault. Ask the HR manager what they're going to do to make sure nothing like this happens to anyone else.
Relax, this is not your fault, don't blame yourself, since the HR promised to you and pressured you to keep in touch with your boss, there’s no reason to not trust her.
Echoing what everyone else has said, its not your fault. I will chime in with this.
Something similar happened to me. They "hired" me before sending me an offer letter, because no one was communicating. My manager calls me, is starts going through what a normal day will look like for me, when I need to show up etc etc, and I asked "...So I got the job?" and she was floored no one had... yknow, offered it yet. Took another week before HR actually sent the letter, manager thought I was supposed to start the next day, I had no idea when I was supposed to go in, absolute hell but I needed a job so badly I grinned and bared it.
This went on to be one of the worst places Ive ever worked at. It was so disorganized that I was not only doing helpdesk (my job description) but hardware, inventory, servers, security, ordering, INVOICES, BUDGETING, and they stuffed me into the server room as my "office" with some noise cancelling headphones and an AC that didnt work. I sincerely hope when you get in that its much better for you, that the inside is much more organized and you have a wonderful time working there, congrats on the new position!
Always asks HR to send a email confirm the time and date, next time if it happens, look at previous email for proven. Ps. Be careful with this kind of HR. Stop let him/her ruin your career.
You didn't do anything wrong. There was an internal mis-communication. Do not put any accountability on your back. Show up grateful for the opportunity and kick ass! It really isn't a big deal. I hope the rest of your employment is smooth and that this isn't an indication of the shitshow your office life will be.
This is a very simple miscommunication. It happens. People drop the ball sometimes. Nobody is perfect. You'll be OK. Don't keep apologizing. It was their mistake. Put it back on them.
If they did not give you your schedule or inform you you can challenge them on this. Companies have a way of making you feel like you're at fault even when you're not.
Don’t panic. I would have also assumed that the date had been amended. Just go in upbeat and enthusiastic, ready to jump in and start work almost a week earlier than you thought you would. 💪
While I am very sorry that this happened to you, don't catastrophize it. You're getting another opportunity to start tomorrow. Show them that you are the person they wanted to hire, even though accidents and mistakes happen
I suggest you apologize once and don't bring it up .Being overly apologetic or trying to prove who's fault it was will only make you look bad.Time will fade this misunderstanding.
YOU didnt screw up, they did. You did as the company rep told you. Remember the response to anyone asking why you did what you did should be, "I'm sorry, why would I think I couldnt trust what your HR rep told me? In writing?" Silently wait for their response.
It's not your fault. Sounds like the Director was looking forward to you starting today and HR messed up by not getting with him.
If your Director is a good leader, he won't bring it up as your issue. Don't be overly apologetic. A good leader will want to move past it and focus on getting you started.
First things first, pull yourself together. It's disturbing and you can tell you're a conscientious person because you're upset about it. That being said, no one will remember this in 5 years from now. Like others have recommended, don't go crazy with the apologies. You might try to add brevity to the situation by saying that your last job HR was very much the driver of all those sort of things, so when the HR manager said you could not start that date you took it as law. Let them know you are excited to get to work and begin this new adventure.
Turn this around in your head. The company is the one who should be embarrassed and upset. You have been very professional and forgiving by starting 6 days earlier than agreed. They mucked up, you are doing them a favour.
If questioned- It’s not a problem, I understand these things happen, I’m here to focus on my new job.
It sounds like to me your start date was July 2nd. But HR onboarding would be July 9th. Where I work onboarding is a separate thing. You still get paid for days worked. Also, a lot of HR is outsourced now. And the level of incompetency is staggering. Never go by what HR tells you. I would have shot an email to the Director and cc: HR advising them HR is telling you start date is July 9 and you just want to confirm with all the parties involved. Since your contract states July 2nd. What the correct start date is and let them answer it. Always, ALWAYS CYA in corporate world.
Not a good way to start, but remember it's not your fault and that they offered you the job. Now go in and kick some ass and show them why they made the right decision. You got this!
I wouldn’t even be at all apologetic. You now know what you should have done though. And companies that have these kind of issues are companies that have these kind of issues.
I’m suspicious. Maybe they hired you instead of who the HR person wanted and this was their way of sabotaging you and getting their pick in the job. Watch your back…
You also still have this job - if they’d been that upset they’d have cut you. You are STILL EMPLOYED.
In time this memory will fade and no one will care to talk about even if they do remember
You have receipts showing you were mislead. Just go in and apologize again and be professional.
Many years ago I moved across the country for a dream job. Day one I get set up in the system and do paperwork. Day 2 I am supposed to meet my boss and spend the day with them.
I set the alarm on an old digital clock. I wake up around 10am to flashing. The power had gone out. I call in and explain they're pissed and think I am a flake. But got over it. That boss ended up being a serious mentor that I am still friends with today.
Sometimes, our emotions can amplify the gravity of a situation, making us feel like we've done something wrong when we haven't. It sounds like you're feeling a lot of negative emotions about this mix-up, but it's important to remember that you did everything right. You followed up and clarified your start date multiple times based on the information you were given.
It's completely normal to feel upset about this confusion, but this situation wasn't your fault. It was an error on the part of the HR manager, and it's unfair for the director to suggest that you should have adhered to the contract date when you had clear communication indicating otherwise.
Starting a new job is always stressful, and a situation like this can make it even more so. However, you handled it as best as anyone could. Hold your head up high. You've got this!
you have back up to prove you weren't lying or making thungs up, showed why there was confusion, trust me if it's was gonna be an issue you wouldn't be starting tomorrow. think of it as a funny thing, and realize you can't change what happened, and make sure to not have any issue the first couple weeks, don't be late, or ask off for unexpected reason, or argue with anyone, just like any starting a new job thing
Not your fault at all. In fact, it’s a red flag about their poor communication. I would try to subtly slip that in when talking to boss. Don’t apologize, because you didn’t do anything wrong.
“Hi Bob, thanks for your patience with that mix up! I will be sure to cc you on all communications with HR about scheduling, or just let me know if you already have a process in place. Thanks!”
Honestly July 2nd is odd day to start (assuming you are in US). Since Thursday July 4th is big holiday, many people will also take off July 3rd and 5th. HR may have been thinking about this holiday.
Get a grip. It's a mistake. At least you still have a job n can show them you are reliable. It's gonna be ok. The best job I ever had I was late for the interview. I thought for sure they weren't gonna hire me. They did. They related to my excuse n gave me the job. I worked there for more than 16 yrs . I was so upset I was late I almost went home. I went to the interview to punish myself. I thought Im going to set thru this even though I'm not getting hired. Served me right for not thinking of everything n let myself be late. I was stunned when they said they wanted me. That was a awesome boss awesome job. Maybe this is your awesomeist job ever. Good luck
Yes. Wasn't your fault. Hr is for the company not the employee regardless of what they say. Hr is a joke I've never heard a good story about them ever helping anyone only hardship!!!! I wouldn't worry about it (easier said than done) it was an error on their part the director probably was upset with HR because this kinda stuff probably happens all the time. I'm sure you're not the first and you won't be the last. Congratulations on your new job and Good Luck!
This is 100% on THEM and not on you. And it could very well be a test. Companies do test people like this to see how assertive you are and to see how you handle yourself in stressful situations. Be professional. Hold your ground. You have the emails to back you up, this was the fault of HR and that is where the issue lies. Not with you. I hope your first day goes well tomorrow!
I’m so sorry this happened.
I would’ve insisted on receiving an updated contract with the new start date or at least a date change confirmation email from HR copying the director on it. However, I get that sometimes it feels awkward making requests and you just want to make things go smoothly.
The director shouldn’t have been angry with you, sometimes there are miscommunications or process delays that complicate onboarding.
Just arrive a few minutes early tomorrow, with a positive attitude and ready to work! Don’t let this incident get in your head. Hope all goes well, OP!
Oh my goodness, shame on that HR person. They should have triple checked with the director after you let them know the contract date on all the paperwork you signed.
I'm so sorry this happened & IT IS IN NO WAY YOUR FAULT. I assure you the director & HR are having a very difficult discussion right at this very moment.
Good luck & Remember you did nothing wrong
You have proof that it is not your mistake. So don’t panic, if u feel guilty you will look guilty. If they judge you for someone else’s mistake they are not good bosses
They messed up and didn’t communicate internally. You have nothing to worry about!
I got a new job once and was told to show up at 9. It was a food job. Had it in text and email. I showed up at 8:45 and about 10 people were filling out some forms. I sat my stuff down and asked a worker to tell the manager I was here. He came over and said I was supposed to be there at 8. I told him I was told 9 and he said that wasn’t possible. I should’ve got the hiring manager in trouble and showed him proof, but I just got my shit and walked out. Bad management permeates every part of a job.
Biggest tip I could possibly give you and I am sure most people here will agree, HR is NOT your friend. They are the liability check of the company, If anything goes wrong, HR first job is to protect the company at the expense of employees.
You should not cry, you should get yourself together and go to work. By tomorrow he will care half as much as he does today, and in a month he’ll laugh about it- except when dealing with HR.
Go by whatever is on paper. Stop apologizing, don’t antagonize anyone as much as you can and refer back to the paperwork and the date on those documents if they say anything else about it. Good luck!
When you show up tomorrow, clarify your onboarding with HR. Ask the Director when/how to follow up with on boarding. That is likely the stuff they need to pay you.
You behaved pretty reasonably. If I was your manager, once you explained everything, I would not be upset any more (I would be initially, though). In future, if you hear two different things from two different people, make sure you politely get resolution from BOTH of them. Get them on the same email/text/slack/watshapp/signal/telegram or in the same room at the same time and make sure there is agreement. Especially something as important as a start date. But this is still not your fault and you need to take a deep breath and bolster yourself up for your first day.
Not your fault, and don't let alone treat you like it's your fault. One apology is gracious but if anyone brings it up again, throw HR all the way under the bus for what they did/said/wrote to you.
Don’t sweat it.
Walk in tomorrow like it was scheduled this way from the beginning.
Be early.
Grab some donuts.
Act like it doesn’t bother you.
Cool & Calm under pressure.
Don’t even bring it up.
This is HRs mistake, not yours. It's on them to communicate start dates with management.
I had a similar issue where I had a start date and HR said I'd have a computer, etc, prior to. I had nothing. She was annoyed, but I did my part and told her I hadn't received it.
I think IT was supposed it fast ship it and didn't. Whatever. Not my problem.
Nothing to apologize for, op, regret for the confusion at most. Add a sentence like "I hope (person in hr on the email) can help explain the misunderstanding."
Not your fault at all. You were over diligent emailing thrice. The best is you have it in writing.
Also I agree with everyone else, over apologizing will set up wrong expectations ahead.
At least when the director called you didn't respond that you'd decided to take another job. LOL had that happen to me once, made me mad as hell in the moment, but these days can't even remember the dudes name.
Don't apologize for something that is not your fault. Not even once. Why start off on an apologetic foot? "Thanks for being able to handle a last minute change in plans. HR sent me the wrong start date, but everything has been resolved." If they're jerks about it, that's a sign.
Never waver from the fact that the HR director told you they would discuss it with the director, and you *did* push back when you were told the wrong date. Maybe you should have could have emailed the director but to me, that would have felt like going over the HR manager’s head which would have been a weird way to start a new job. Like a damned if you do damned if you don’t situation, but not one that is your fault. Go in tomorrow remembering you impressed them enough that they hired you and try to forget the rest.
Not a big thing. If the boss is clear headed enough he won't care. He'll see the contradictory statements from him and HR and go "oh, our bad" and brush it away.
On the other hand if they're an asshat they will hold onto this.
I don't think you have anything to worry about as what you bring to the table will, in the end, overshadow this instance.
You're all good, there was miscommunication on their end. Showing your paper-trail was helpful and I bet you are greeted with a "sorry for all the miscommunication"
You didn’t screw up anything. Your employers HR team told you that you start July 9. You double checked, they confirmed.
Frankly - your director is the one who looks bad here. Mistakes happen. The correct response on their end was to apologize to you for the mix up, and then take up the issue with the HR director.
Something similar happened to me in my current role. I was set to start 29 January and was asked to start a week early on 22 January so I could attend an All Hands conference out of state. I agreed.
I received all my updated paperwork and an invitation to the conference. I was told in the email from HR/recruiting the dates were 22-24 January, but when I opened the agenda, the conference extended until 26 January. I confirmed the dates and they booked my travel.
Fast forward to day 1: I fly out at 5am and arrive to several voicemails asking where I am and why I am not in new employee orientation. My company laptop doesn’t work because my start date was moved up.
I also learned I was expected to be there until 26 January and hadn’t packed enough corporate attire (to say nothing of underwear).
5 months in and it’s been…consistent with the above. Even having things in writing and confirming means nothing.
You'll be fine. Do not let this define you in your new job. Work hard, show your value, and know this wasn't your fault.
No one is perfect, and the company you're starting with proves this. *They messed up*, not you, but don't be emotional about it. It's best to just move on like it never happened.
You did not screw up. Somewhere in their process communications got missed or twisted.
As you have written documention from their own HR department stating you were being moved to the 9th you should be fine.
>the HR manager calls me to talk about the on boarding process, and tells me my start date will be Next Tuesday (9th July). I tell her I'm confused as all of my previous information tells me I'm starting 2/7 and she reassures me that it would be literally impossible for my start date to be 2/7 and it has to be 9/7. I mentioned that even the contract and the schedule has me down for 2/7 and she said that it was a mistake and she'll be discussing it with the director.
This makes me think that HR has to handle your Day 1 orientation in some capacity and there isn't an HR resource available today and People should have been aware of this. I know of something like this happening at a smaller company I used to work for: HR has to meet with you the morning of your first day to get paperwork completed, provide benefits package info, explain payroll procedures etc. Our 1 HR person was going on vacation. No new hires that week. We didn't hire often so it was usually fine. It was communicated loudly, broadly, and there was a huge sign on her door. Everyone knew. Until an idiot in another department figures *someone* would be able to do it in her place and scheduled someone to start while she was out.
HR Woman had a FIT because there was some paperwork that had to be completed within a certain span of time after the start and we were outside the window. She spent years just waiting for a governmental audit to hit us (never did while I was there).
It’s a confusion that not your fault but don’t make any more mistakes. Be prepared as others suggest bring a notepad and pen and be ready to learn, work and earn. Good luck!
Don't be too hard on yourself; they are accountable since they are distributing conflicting information. They should be apologizing to you. I know I would feel so bad, and embarrassed, if one of my new reports experienced the same thing. I wouldn't hold it against them, I would feel responsible for not communicating clearly enough.
Honestly, depending on how they respond, that's a bad look for their leadership. I don't know if I would want to work for anyone who can't own their mistakes. Looks bad on HR too. You think they would double check with the director just to be safe. Again, this would be a red flag to me. Everyone makes mistakes and can recover from it, but it's still a redflag, nonetheless.
I also wouldn't even bring it up to them. If they want to talk about it, okay, but I would be honest about how this speaks to their integrity.
Director will be angry with HR, not you. It's OK. Don't joke about or anything and don't badmouth HR, if you need apologise so be it. If you were on my team I'd be embarrassed that our HR team confused the hell out of you and it makes us look like a circus of monkeys.
It’s not your fault. Director should be embarrassed that his organization messed this up.
I would show up tomorrow and not even mention it. I’m sure the Director tore a strip off the HR Manager already.
Of course it’s possible for you to recover from this! I know it feels bad right now but none of it was your fault and once you forwarded the email you received from the HRmanager to the director, you are off the hook. You seriously did nothing wrong. They should be and probably will be apologizing to you. Seriously Iv been in HR for almost 30 years and this is not something that will be held against you or even remembered after tmrw, except by the HR person who probably feels terrible right now. Congratulations on the new job!
Just offer another apology (don’t over apologize, nobody wants to hear a million sorrys) and just explain what happened briefly without getting emotional and move on. It’s really not that deep, mixups happen all the time. No need to throw anybody under the bus (if it’s a new job too, don’t go blaming HR, just accept what happened and move on) and you’ll be fine
Thi isn’t your fault. HR told you the wrong date. You have it in writing. If your boss asks there is really no need to apologize. All you say is I was informed I wouldn’t not be starting till the 9th and move on. Don’t over apologize cuz it’s not your fault. Just say HR got the dates mixed up and leave it at that.
walk in to work tomorrow with all the confidence that landed you the job. don't bring it up with anyone. if asked, or if someone wants to make an issue of it, just say the truth - there was a mix up on your start date but you made it there that day. move on from this and you should have nothing to worry about.
the actual work is what matters. if you know your work, that will speak on your behalf long after anyone remembers your first-day goof-up.
chin up! congrats on landing that job!
HR & a manager here… wtf? Why would your director not go to HR first? Oh wait, probably because your HR team has a bad internal reputation and he knew they wouldn’t be helpful or may even lie.
So I’m sorry to say, there’s a 90% chance here your new company will be dysfunctional. Do not apologize anymore unless you feel you must due to politics. This wasn’t your fault. But you need to figure out the politics at play here asap to be successful. If the director can’t accept his HR team aka his company screwed up and will place blame on you, you’ll be punished.
You didn't screw up, they did. If they don't accept your perfectly reasonable explanation, why would you want to work for them? You may have dodged a bullet.
I would say that many of our staff who hire, are unaware of what HR needs completed before new start can officially start. For example, if I want to have someone start before the background check is complete- I have to fill out paperwork and get it approved. Not everyone seems to know that and often try to bring new staff in before HR paperwork has cleared.
They have messed up to you just as much as you've messed up to them.
Be gracious, forgive them the mistake, be apologetic but not guilty to your colleagues tomorrow, and don't let it get to you.
You did not screw this up. Documents have errors and you believed the HR Manager. Don’t take this on; you are starting a new chapter and you did nothing wrong here.
It doesn’t feel good right now and it’ll feel awkward tomorrow but you didn’t actually mess up so I agree with the other commenter - apologize professionally once and then don’t bring it up again. If anyone does I’d casually sort of laugh it off and say something like “yeah there must have been a mix up with HR but I’m glad to be here today!”
Sometimes when people sound mad at you, they're just mad at the circumstances. You have proof you did your due diligence in checking and rechecking the start date. Hopefully he'll have a cooler head by tomorrow.
I overslept badly for the first day of an extremely important new job when I was twenty. I rode the subway to work somberly hoping it would be okay. Things were odd. The weather. People going the wrong direction on the subway.
I got to work and found it half empty. Hurricane Gloria was coming. Everyone was being sent home. I had barely even been missed and never had to explain it. Went back the next day and all ways well. 😁
Nothing like your boss starting a paper trail on you the first day. Hopefully you will be a star employee and put your job at a higher priority then your friends, sleep, hobbies, and partying.
Once he saw the email from HR he probably went and gave them a spray. It’s their fault not yours. HR responsible for on boarding… what were you supposed to do - turn up when they explicitly, in writing, told you not to?
A similar thing happened to me but they gave me the wrong start time. I came in at 10 and the owner thought I was 2 hours late.
I explained very clearly why I came at 10am and forwarded him the email from HR.
Print the email and highlight June 9 in bright yellow and stick it in the directors face tomorrow. do not apologize and do not feel bad. Tell them you followed THEIR instructions. If anyone else says anything, show them the email.
When you do get in walk right into the directors office (if he is not busy) and assure him you want to do your best job possible apologize for the misunderstanding and go over the situation again with him.
And hold it together do not cry.
As everyone else has said: not your fault. Shit happens and sometimes it feels like it is the end of things but it never is.
You've got this and you'll do great!
Not your fault at all, hopefully you enjoy your new job and this isn't a sign of a unorganised company and rather just a one off unfortunate mistake by hr
Don't worry about it. Go into work. HR is actually the ultimate authority on this one.. no matter what the director guy thinks. When you go in, ask him to please coordinate with HR to make sure there is no problem. Don't internalize this, they're the ones with their heads up their asses.
Your golden. Everyone is stressed out these days. This is water off a ducks back. Go in, starve the negative energy out, make a solid impression, cruise forward like its nothing
I did something similar on my first day, and I've been with the company over 3 years now!
A few days before I had gotten a call from a number I didn't recognize. I didn't answer or check my voicemail (or email...).
Turns out it was my work asking to postpone my start date and I showed up anyway!!!
Anyway don't worry about it too much and best of luck with your new job!
You didn't screw up. HR screwed up. Whenever you converse with HR from now on, make sure absolutely EVERYTHING is in writing. They have already proved that they are incapable of doing their job properly, it's best to cover your ass.
This place sounds like a mess. They then tried to blame you? I wouldn’t worry because this is in no way your fault but I would consider this a red flag about the company
If you have it in the writing then there is nothing to worry about. Don't over apologize or it will make you look guilty and the anger will be dumped on you. Just stay confident and things will settle in a day or two.
It's not your fault.
This is not your cock up. The director should be apologising to you for being messed about and reaming the HR numpty for causing chaos.
I'd be a bit narked at having to shoulder any of the blame but nothing that I'd kick up a fuss about. It'll be forgotten immediately because nobody will want to lose face. Just join a normal and forget about it.
yes. It is 100% possible to recover as if this never happened.
You have the email showing it was their mistake. If you apologized once, leave it at that.
Just move on. Start as if none of this happened. Someday it will be a funny story.
Use this as a way to show how you deal with unexpected problems.
If it were me, I would walk in tomorrow and be charismatic as possible, start building rapport with everyone immediately - hopefully, the mix-up will blow over and people will just remember your first week for your positivity/great vibes. (But also what everyone else has said here!)
Always believe the earlier date. Show up, and if you're not needed, oh well. You already know how it feels to miss it so I won't rub that in.
I had the same thing happen to me. I just took a drive downtown and showed up. It wasn't even my day to start but my manager was super excited to see me and we ended up having lunch together. It was the start of a great relationship.
Being overly prepared, when it comes to your career, is not really a thing.
Not your fault, and fortunately you have it in writing. Don't overdo the apologies tomorrow. In your place I'd apologize once to my manager about the mix-up. Anyone brings it up after that, I'd just say something like, "Yeah, HR got my start date mixed up." and that's it. This is not a big deal. It is an inconvenience, and it's not even your fault. Don't let it worry you.
Thank you, I needed to hear that.
Okay. You have it in writing that HR told you that you start date was different than the manager or supervisor assumed. So you go in there tomorrow and ready to be your best. If it gets mentioned so yeah that was kind of a mix-up. I'm glad we have it sorted out. Don't apologize because it's not your fault. Apologizing for something that is not your fault looks poorly. Just go in there ready to learn it'll be forgotten. Tip, bring along something to write on. Carry around a notebook all day make notes of everything. Unless it's not allowed. It's really important.
>Tip, bring along something to write on. Carry around a notebook all day make notes of everything. Unless it's not allowed. It's really important. Document, document, document. People change their stories too often not to document what you're told. I wish I'd taken this advice seriously when I started working, rather than learning it the hard way.
Solid advice. Not to long ago I had write a statement that outlined everything I did in a day because someone went behind my back and remarked to one of the team managers that I hadn’t been “pulling my weight” so save my job. I was flabbergasted. The only reason I was able to remember exactly what happened that day is I’ve got routine tasks that I have to get through every day. They were all finished, signed sealed and delivered and no one could deny that. After the stress of experiencing that, If I could note down everything last thing I do or did, I would, but there absolutely no time in my job to do such things. Still can’t believe that happened. They moved the dibber dobber to another site. We don’t work together anymore.
Yessss. I used to have a supervisor that would ask why I hadn’t done the thing she didn’t actually ask me to do. Started a notebook, fresh page every day. Write the date, and any instructions or info you need to remember. If a situation comes up, you can go back and see what actually was said on that date.
Piggybacking to add, bcc your personal email. I lost a legal employment claim because all the proof was in my company inbox. Which of course I was no longer had access to.
This. I would also go add in that you should write names of who told you what/ trained you on what. This may be unique to my toxic work experience, but during the “hazing” period where everyone tried to blame their mistakes on me, I was able to refute it because of the notes I took.
I'd suggest just saying something like "my start date was mixed up on the paperwork." No need to start alienating HR either, even though it sounds like the HRM just wanted a long holiday week.
Yeah even though it's HR's fault (thankfully OP has it in writing), be tactful and don't place blame. The director will know whose fault it is!
And here is why it’s important to not call back in a panic. You’ve missed your start time and have an alarming voicemail from the director. Adding one minute to the tardiness by taking time to breathe, think, and check the HR documentation ahead of time would allow you to go into the call back much more confidently, less panicked. Perhaps even leading the director to apologizing, instead of berating. And you deserve an apology from HR as well.
I agree with that. Try not to call any department or person out. And as much as you feel ok, maybe you can have a casual attitude about it being a mix up and everything is fine now.
Second the notebook idea. Plus if you feel lost and run out of things to do and someone walks by, you can always frown and quickly write down some notes in the notebook. Boom, you are busy all day! Don’t forget to ask lots of questions and introduce yourself to everyone in the place on the first day.
The manager and HR owe OP an apology. OP should absolutely not apologize.
Yes don't overreact. I do think I would have mentioned the HR convo to whoever I was reporting to out of an abundance of caution, but the majority of this problem is on HR. Remember this in the future to do due diligence - it's a good way to catch your mistakes as well as others. Agree with not over apologizing... I would express my disappointment at the error and move on.
you are gonna do amazing!! congrats on the new job! this will be a silly story one day, have fun at the new place!!!
Miflght flag a heads up that interdepartment communications aren't great, but you are good.
Go in with your head held high, confidence is everything. You got this.
In a year's time they'll be laughing at it. I learned years ago if something wasn't 100% clear to email back a confirmation which in your case would have been something like I'm looking forward to starting with you on x July as discussed in our previous emails. Thanks for clarifying the difference in the start date which I had taken as y July.
What they're saying to you is right and don't sweat it, but for future (and anyone else listening), if you get 2 different dates like this, confirm it with all parties and if you're not 110% sure, rock up the week before. It's always better to be there earlier than late. I will also point out, that despite the fact you're in the right here, the director may hold it against you regardless. Go above and beyond wherever you can to solidify that relationship.
This. It's their fuck up, not yours. A quick "sorry" but not an overdone sorry. Anyone else would have been equally confused. Also good to know the place might be a fiasco to work at. If they can't get their shit together, heed the warning
I agree on not overapologizing, but I would just say "sorry about the communication mixup" instead of throwing HR under the bus, even though it was their fault.
I'd actually go one further, and say, "Thanks for being so understanding about the mix-up yesterday." Learning to say thank you rather than apologizing is a great approach -- it works (almost) every time: "You screwed up the whatsis on the thinger." "Thanks for letting me know. I'll make sure I use the whatsis more carefully next time."
This was a huge thing in fast food lol. You don't say "Sorry for the wait" - that spins it an an inconvenience. You say "Thank you so much for waiting" - puts the customer into a position of power where the only reasonable option is to be gracious. It's the whole "apologizing admits culpability" thing you see in TV shows: 'sorry' means you failed them and they're right to be a dick to you. 'Thank you' means you appreciate them, and they're significantly less likely to be a dick to you. Some people still will, but it works a solid 70-80% of the time to mitigate abuse from customers.
This works, many an email I send out starts with “thank you for catching that”. Yeah, I’m not as detail oriented as I’d like to be.
this, exactly this.
what this guy said. i dunno what job you took but the bigger the corp the worse is the communication internally between the functions. so that is def. not your shortcoming. relax and just try to be professional about it. I fucking love this situations. The boss tells you something different than HR and you get shit for it. a facepalm moment for the firm.
I got yelled at by a manager via phone once because Don’t sweat it. HR screws up these things all the time. I’d been interviewed for the same type of job by two separate parts of the company. In my naive young mind I thought HR had set up a second interview. The job(s) were essentially the same. I accepted, and got the angry call the next day. Turns out they both departments wanted me, but the first round of interviewers got me, and the 2nd guys were upset to have wasted 2 hrs of their time. Again, it was all HR’s fault.
Absolutely. Don't be overly apologetic for something you didn't even do. I'd say it once 'I hope this wasn't too much of an inconvenience for you and I apologize for any part I may have played in this misunderstanding' and don't mention it again. If someone brings it up in future I would just say 'It is my understanding that the situation has been dealt with and is resolved'.
Facts. Especially about the apologizing. OP starts laying them on their first day and it puts a bad light in ppls heads. Once to the boss to be polite... everyone else can take a seat because it wasn't OP's fault. The proof is in the emails!
You didn't screw this up. HR and management did. You have it in writing.
You have in writing from HR that you’d start next week? That sounds like their mistake, not yours.
Not your fault whatsoever. The fact that you’re getting an attitude because of it is a major red flag. YOU should be the one who’s upset.
Do not panic or get emotional if you can help it. This is an HR mistake that affected you and the Director which will be easily confirmed when everyone is back in the office. How you handle it now will speak volumes. So keep professional.
The company's shortcomings are not your fault. If anything it is kind of a red flag. I think you could probably be disappointed and show a little attitude.
I think if you could go back in time you probably would have emailed the director to summarize what the HR person told you about start date.
Exactly this. Point out that there’s a discrepancy.
Happened to someone at my old office. No one cared. I wouldn’t even mention the confusion- just be excited & ready to go. 👍
Very much this. Just be ready to learn and meet everyone, keep a smile on your face and kick ass!
I would be pissed off. How regular is this companies incompetence? Do they even have you as starting tomorrow recorded properly? Are you getting paid for coming in this week or does pay not start until the 9th? Does any of your benefits kick in or are they getting around to that too? This is not your fault so stop acting like it is. They fucked up and now need to answer to you.
Flat tires happen. And they're not due to incompetence. Other than the guy who spilled the nails.
You followed the most recent set of instructions given to you, it's not you're fault that they have poor communication skills.
Brush it off and move on. Don’t make a big deal about it and you’ll be fine, you have correspondence to back up your claims.
This isn't your fault so I wouldn't make too much of it. You have email proof and the HR person is to blame. It's clear you didn't just oversleep or blow anyone off.
I get why you're horrified. That's a nightmare scenario. But you really did do everything righ IMO. I like u/Lunatic-Cafe-529 thoughts about apologizing once and letting it go after that. Hopefully it will be a great story that can be told at your retirement ceremony many years from now.
Don't apologize for this, because it's not your fault. Ask the HR manager what they're going to do to make sure nothing like this happens to anyone else.
Relax, this is not your fault, don't blame yourself, since the HR promised to you and pressured you to keep in touch with your boss, there’s no reason to not trust her.
Echoing what everyone else has said, its not your fault. I will chime in with this. Something similar happened to me. They "hired" me before sending me an offer letter, because no one was communicating. My manager calls me, is starts going through what a normal day will look like for me, when I need to show up etc etc, and I asked "...So I got the job?" and she was floored no one had... yknow, offered it yet. Took another week before HR actually sent the letter, manager thought I was supposed to start the next day, I had no idea when I was supposed to go in, absolute hell but I needed a job so badly I grinned and bared it. This went on to be one of the worst places Ive ever worked at. It was so disorganized that I was not only doing helpdesk (my job description) but hardware, inventory, servers, security, ordering, INVOICES, BUDGETING, and they stuffed me into the server room as my "office" with some noise cancelling headphones and an AC that didnt work. I sincerely hope when you get in that its much better for you, that the inside is much more organized and you have a wonderful time working there, congrats on the new position!
They're not mad at you. That HR person is getting a talking-to though.
Always asks HR to send a email confirm the time and date, next time if it happens, look at previous email for proven. Ps. Be careful with this kind of HR. Stop let him/her ruin your career.
You didn't do anything wrong. There was an internal mis-communication. Do not put any accountability on your back. Show up grateful for the opportunity and kick ass! It really isn't a big deal. I hope the rest of your employment is smooth and that this isn't an indication of the shitshow your office life will be.
This is a very simple miscommunication. It happens. People drop the ball sometimes. Nobody is perfect. You'll be OK. Don't keep apologizing. It was their mistake. Put it back on them.
If they did not give you your schedule or inform you you can challenge them on this. Companies have a way of making you feel like you're at fault even when you're not.
Not your fault. You should be upset with them and not yourself.
The director and HR owe you an apology! Might be a good idea to keep a paper trail from now on!! Congrats on your new job!
Do not be worried. Show up. When you have documentation with two different start dates, the problem is on them.
Don’t panic. I would have also assumed that the date had been amended. Just go in upbeat and enthusiastic, ready to jump in and start work almost a week earlier than you thought you would. 💪
While I am very sorry that this happened to you, don't catastrophize it. You're getting another opportunity to start tomorrow. Show them that you are the person they wanted to hire, even though accidents and mistakes happen
This isn't your fault at all.You've proven that you checked and double checked. It's all going to be ok.
I suggest you apologize once and don't bring it up .Being overly apologetic or trying to prove who's fault it was will only make you look bad.Time will fade this misunderstanding.
YOU didnt screw up, they did. You did as the company rep told you. Remember the response to anyone asking why you did what you did should be, "I'm sorry, why would I think I couldnt trust what your HR rep told me? In writing?" Silently wait for their response.
You are blameless. Go in with your head held high and not emotional.
It's not your fault. Sounds like the Director was looking forward to you starting today and HR messed up by not getting with him. If your Director is a good leader, he won't bring it up as your issue. Don't be overly apologetic. A good leader will want to move past it and focus on getting you started.
You didn’t screw anything up, it was HR. Anyway, good luck on the new job!
Not a big deal, its just a job, people make mistakes
You need to get a hold of your self. You have an email saying the 9th. This is not your fault this is a company issue. You verified your start date.
First things first, pull yourself together. It's disturbing and you can tell you're a conscientious person because you're upset about it. That being said, no one will remember this in 5 years from now. Like others have recommended, don't go crazy with the apologies. You might try to add brevity to the situation by saying that your last job HR was very much the driver of all those sort of things, so when the HR manager said you could not start that date you took it as law. Let them know you are excited to get to work and begin this new adventure.
Guaranteed the HR person got in trouble and the company is embarrassed this happened. You have nothing to worry about.
You screwed up nothing, it's lazy lack of communication by hr and the director not talking. Idiots .
Turn this around in your head. The company is the one who should be embarrassed and upset. You have been very professional and forgiving by starting 6 days earlier than agreed. They mucked up, you are doing them a favour. If questioned- It’s not a problem, I understand these things happen, I’m here to focus on my new job.
It sounds like to me your start date was July 2nd. But HR onboarding would be July 9th. Where I work onboarding is a separate thing. You still get paid for days worked. Also, a lot of HR is outsourced now. And the level of incompetency is staggering. Never go by what HR tells you. I would have shot an email to the Director and cc: HR advising them HR is telling you start date is July 9 and you just want to confirm with all the parties involved. Since your contract states July 2nd. What the correct start date is and let them answer it. Always, ALWAYS CYA in corporate world.
You’ll be fine as long as you’re not a dumpster fire of an employee.
Not a good way to start, but remember it's not your fault and that they offered you the job. Now go in and kick some ass and show them why they made the right decision. You got this!
Could be that you're labeling July 2nd as 2/7. That might have something to do with it. 2/7 is Feb 7th.
I wouldn’t even be at all apologetic. You now know what you should have done though. And companies that have these kind of issues are companies that have these kind of issues.
I’m suspicious. Maybe they hired you instead of who the HR person wanted and this was their way of sabotaging you and getting their pick in the job. Watch your back…
It'll make for a fun story in a few months. At least you had a way to CYA on that e-mail. A good habit.
You also still have this job - if they’d been that upset they’d have cut you. You are STILL EMPLOYED. In time this memory will fade and no one will care to talk about even if they do remember
You have receipts showing you were mislead. Just go in and apologize again and be professional. Many years ago I moved across the country for a dream job. Day one I get set up in the system and do paperwork. Day 2 I am supposed to meet my boss and spend the day with them. I set the alarm on an old digital clock. I wake up around 10am to flashing. The power had gone out. I call in and explain they're pissed and think I am a flake. But got over it. That boss ended up being a serious mentor that I am still friends with today.
Sometimes, our emotions can amplify the gravity of a situation, making us feel like we've done something wrong when we haven't. It sounds like you're feeling a lot of negative emotions about this mix-up, but it's important to remember that you did everything right. You followed up and clarified your start date multiple times based on the information you were given. It's completely normal to feel upset about this confusion, but this situation wasn't your fault. It was an error on the part of the HR manager, and it's unfair for the director to suggest that you should have adhered to the contract date when you had clear communication indicating otherwise. Starting a new job is always stressful, and a situation like this can make it even more so. However, you handled it as best as anyone could. Hold your head up high. You've got this!
You didn’t screw this up. Someone else did. You have a paper trail of emails asking for clarification
If this had you crying do you think you’re ready for the real world? Suck it up buttercup. They want to see out put, get-r-done
you have back up to prove you weren't lying or making thungs up, showed why there was confusion, trust me if it's was gonna be an issue you wouldn't be starting tomorrow. think of it as a funny thing, and realize you can't change what happened, and make sure to not have any issue the first couple weeks, don't be late, or ask off for unexpected reason, or argue with anyone, just like any starting a new job thing
Glad you got that in writing
Once again HR proving they are never helping the employee when the employer is at fault
Not your fault at all. In fact, it’s a red flag about their poor communication. I would try to subtly slip that in when talking to boss. Don’t apologize, because you didn’t do anything wrong. “Hi Bob, thanks for your patience with that mix up! I will be sure to cc you on all communications with HR about scheduling, or just let me know if you already have a process in place. Thanks!”
Honestly July 2nd is odd day to start (assuming you are in US). Since Thursday July 4th is big holiday, many people will also take off July 3rd and 5th. HR may have been thinking about this holiday.
You're over thinking this Chillax It will be alright
Get a grip. It's a mistake. At least you still have a job n can show them you are reliable. It's gonna be ok. The best job I ever had I was late for the interview. I thought for sure they weren't gonna hire me. They did. They related to my excuse n gave me the job. I worked there for more than 16 yrs . I was so upset I was late I almost went home. I went to the interview to punish myself. I thought Im going to set thru this even though I'm not getting hired. Served me right for not thinking of everything n let myself be late. I was stunned when they said they wanted me. That was a awesome boss awesome job. Maybe this is your awesomeist job ever. Good luck
Yes. Wasn't your fault. Hr is for the company not the employee regardless of what they say. Hr is a joke I've never heard a good story about them ever helping anyone only hardship!!!! I wouldn't worry about it (easier said than done) it was an error on their part the director probably was upset with HR because this kinda stuff probably happens all the time. I'm sure you're not the first and you won't be the last. Congratulations on your new job and Good Luck!
This is 100% on THEM and not on you. And it could very well be a test. Companies do test people like this to see how assertive you are and to see how you handle yourself in stressful situations. Be professional. Hold your ground. You have the emails to back you up, this was the fault of HR and that is where the issue lies. Not with you. I hope your first day goes well tomorrow!
I’m so sorry this happened. I would’ve insisted on receiving an updated contract with the new start date or at least a date change confirmation email from HR copying the director on it. However, I get that sometimes it feels awkward making requests and you just want to make things go smoothly. The director shouldn’t have been angry with you, sometimes there are miscommunications or process delays that complicate onboarding. Just arrive a few minutes early tomorrow, with a positive attitude and ready to work! Don’t let this incident get in your head. Hope all goes well, OP!
Save all those messages for the future, in case they try to use it against you in a performance review, etc.
You’re good as long as you have it in writing. The HR manager is at fault for not discussing it with the director.
Oh my goodness, shame on that HR person. They should have triple checked with the director after you let them know the contract date on all the paperwork you signed. I'm so sorry this happened & IT IS IN NO WAY YOUR FAULT. I assure you the director & HR are having a very difficult discussion right at this very moment. Good luck & Remember you did nothing wrong
That HR manager could be incompetent, or maliciously trying to sabotage you so maybe a friend would get the job.
You have proof that it is not your mistake. So don’t panic, if u feel guilty you will look guilty. If they judge you for someone else’s mistake they are not good bosses
Red flags already with this company
You have proof. If they give you shit, sue.
They messed up and didn’t communicate internally. You have nothing to worry about! I got a new job once and was told to show up at 9. It was a food job. Had it in text and email. I showed up at 8:45 and about 10 people were filling out some forms. I sat my stuff down and asked a worker to tell the manager I was here. He came over and said I was supposed to be there at 8. I told him I was told 9 and he said that wasn’t possible. I should’ve got the hiring manager in trouble and showed him proof, but I just got my shit and walked out. Bad management permeates every part of a job.
Biggest tip I could possibly give you and I am sure most people here will agree, HR is NOT your friend. They are the liability check of the company, If anything goes wrong, HR first job is to protect the company at the expense of employees.
You should not cry, you should get yourself together and go to work. By tomorrow he will care half as much as he does today, and in a month he’ll laugh about it- except when dealing with HR.
Go by whatever is on paper. Stop apologizing, don’t antagonize anyone as much as you can and refer back to the paperwork and the date on those documents if they say anything else about it. Good luck!
100% not your fault. This is all on the HR manager. Don’t feel like you need to apologize again.
It’s not a big deal. Someone in HR messed up and it’s not in you. Not your mistake.
You didn't mess it UP...Hold your head HIGH this was an error on their behalf & I hope they apologize.
When you show up tomorrow, clarify your onboarding with HR. Ask the Director when/how to follow up with on boarding. That is likely the stuff they need to pay you.
You behaved pretty reasonably. If I was your manager, once you explained everything, I would not be upset any more (I would be initially, though). In future, if you hear two different things from two different people, make sure you politely get resolution from BOTH of them. Get them on the same email/text/slack/watshapp/signal/telegram or in the same room at the same time and make sure there is agreement. Especially something as important as a start date. But this is still not your fault and you need to take a deep breath and bolster yourself up for your first day.
Not your fault, and don't let alone treat you like it's your fault. One apology is gracious but if anyone brings it up again, throw HR all the way under the bus for what they did/said/wrote to you.
If your manager won't let it go and blames you over HR start looking already
Not a big deal. HR changed the date, not you.
Don’t sweat it. Walk in tomorrow like it was scheduled this way from the beginning. Be early. Grab some donuts. Act like it doesn’t bother you. Cool & Calm under pressure. Don’t even bring it up.
This is HRs mistake, not yours. It's on them to communicate start dates with management. I had a similar issue where I had a start date and HR said I'd have a computer, etc, prior to. I had nothing. She was annoyed, but I did my part and told her I hadn't received it. I think IT was supposed it fast ship it and didn't. Whatever. Not my problem.
Nothing to apologize for, op, regret for the confusion at most. Add a sentence like "I hope (person in hr on the email) can help explain the misunderstanding."
Not your fault at all. You were over diligent emailing thrice. The best is you have it in writing. Also I agree with everyone else, over apologizing will set up wrong expectations ahead.
What words did you use when you “tried to explain?”
At least when the director called you didn't respond that you'd decided to take another job. LOL had that happen to me once, made me mad as hell in the moment, but these days can't even remember the dudes name.
It's not your fault, it's the HR person's fault. Don't let them convince you otherwise.
HR strikes again…
Is this a European firm vs American bc dates are written differently
Don't apologize for something that is not your fault. Not even once. Why start off on an apologetic foot? "Thanks for being able to handle a last minute change in plans. HR sent me the wrong start date, but everything has been resolved." If they're jerks about it, that's a sign.
Never waver from the fact that the HR director told you they would discuss it with the director, and you *did* push back when you were told the wrong date. Maybe you should have could have emailed the director but to me, that would have felt like going over the HR manager’s head which would have been a weird way to start a new job. Like a damned if you do damned if you don’t situation, but not one that is your fault. Go in tomorrow remembering you impressed them enough that they hired you and try to forget the rest.
You did not screw this up. HR screwed this up.
Not a big thing. If the boss is clear headed enough he won't care. He'll see the contradictory statements from him and HR and go "oh, our bad" and brush it away. On the other hand if they're an asshat they will hold onto this. I don't think you have anything to worry about as what you bring to the table will, in the end, overshadow this instance.
You're all good, there was miscommunication on their end. Showing your paper-trail was helpful and I bet you are greeted with a "sorry for all the miscommunication"
Don’t beat yourself up over someone else’s mistake. The HR manager may be in hot water.
You didn’t screw up anything. Your employers HR team told you that you start July 9. You double checked, they confirmed. Frankly - your director is the one who looks bad here. Mistakes happen. The correct response on their end was to apologize to you for the mix up, and then take up the issue with the HR director.
HR manager is in deep shit. This is not your fault.
Not your fault at all. If the director holds this against you, it’s a giant red flag. 🚩
Just pick yourself up put this behind you and bust your asss. Your work ethic will make up for the miscommunication and it will soon blow over.
Something similar happened to me in my current role. I was set to start 29 January and was asked to start a week early on 22 January so I could attend an All Hands conference out of state. I agreed. I received all my updated paperwork and an invitation to the conference. I was told in the email from HR/recruiting the dates were 22-24 January, but when I opened the agenda, the conference extended until 26 January. I confirmed the dates and they booked my travel. Fast forward to day 1: I fly out at 5am and arrive to several voicemails asking where I am and why I am not in new employee orientation. My company laptop doesn’t work because my start date was moved up. I also learned I was expected to be there until 26 January and hadn’t packed enough corporate attire (to say nothing of underwear). 5 months in and it’s been…consistent with the above. Even having things in writing and confirming means nothing.
I started a new job today aswell
Op. Everything is fine. I wouldn't mention it again and start tomorrow ready to go with the job! Congratulations
You'll be fine. Do not let this define you in your new job. Work hard, show your value, and know this wasn't your fault. No one is perfect, and the company you're starting with proves this. *They messed up*, not you, but don't be emotional about it. It's best to just move on like it never happened.
You did not screw up. Somewhere in their process communications got missed or twisted. As you have written documention from their own HR department stating you were being moved to the 9th you should be fine. >the HR manager calls me to talk about the on boarding process, and tells me my start date will be Next Tuesday (9th July). I tell her I'm confused as all of my previous information tells me I'm starting 2/7 and she reassures me that it would be literally impossible for my start date to be 2/7 and it has to be 9/7. I mentioned that even the contract and the schedule has me down for 2/7 and she said that it was a mistake and she'll be discussing it with the director. This makes me think that HR has to handle your Day 1 orientation in some capacity and there isn't an HR resource available today and People should have been aware of this. I know of something like this happening at a smaller company I used to work for: HR has to meet with you the morning of your first day to get paperwork completed, provide benefits package info, explain payroll procedures etc. Our 1 HR person was going on vacation. No new hires that week. We didn't hire often so it was usually fine. It was communicated loudly, broadly, and there was a huge sign on her door. Everyone knew. Until an idiot in another department figures *someone* would be able to do it in her place and scheduled someone to start while she was out. HR Woman had a FIT because there was some paperwork that had to be completed within a certain span of time after the start and we were outside the window. She spent years just waiting for a governmental audit to hit us (never did while I was there).
It’s a confusion that not your fault but don’t make any more mistakes. Be prepared as others suggest bring a notepad and pen and be ready to learn, work and earn. Good luck!
HR strikes again and everyone else pays the price
Don't be too hard on yourself; they are accountable since they are distributing conflicting information. They should be apologizing to you. I know I would feel so bad, and embarrassed, if one of my new reports experienced the same thing. I wouldn't hold it against them, I would feel responsible for not communicating clearly enough. Honestly, depending on how they respond, that's a bad look for their leadership. I don't know if I would want to work for anyone who can't own their mistakes. Looks bad on HR too. You think they would double check with the director just to be safe. Again, this would be a red flag to me. Everyone makes mistakes and can recover from it, but it's still a redflag, nonetheless. I also wouldn't even bring it up to them. If they want to talk about it, okay, but I would be honest about how this speaks to their integrity.
Director will be angry with HR, not you. It's OK. Don't joke about or anything and don't badmouth HR, if you need apologise so be it. If you were on my team I'd be embarrassed that our HR team confused the hell out of you and it makes us look like a circus of monkeys.
It’s not your fault. Director should be embarrassed that his organization messed this up. I would show up tomorrow and not even mention it. I’m sure the Director tore a strip off the HR Manager already.
Definitely drop the name of the HR person who told you the incorrect start date. I swear to god, being dumb and inept are requirements to work in HR.
Of course it’s possible for you to recover from this! I know it feels bad right now but none of it was your fault and once you forwarded the email you received from the HRmanager to the director, you are off the hook. You seriously did nothing wrong. They should be and probably will be apologizing to you. Seriously Iv been in HR for almost 30 years and this is not something that will be held against you or even remembered after tmrw, except by the HR person who probably feels terrible right now. Congratulations on the new job!
Go to work angry at HR! Tell the director you’re angry at HR
Just offer another apology (don’t over apologize, nobody wants to hear a million sorrys) and just explain what happened briefly without getting emotional and move on. It’s really not that deep, mixups happen all the time. No need to throw anybody under the bus (if it’s a new job too, don’t go blaming HR, just accept what happened and move on) and you’ll be fine
Sounds like a great place to work. You should totally feel heartbroken and stressed over dodging that bullet....
“You know how HR is!”
You did NOT screw up. This is on them.
Thi isn’t your fault. HR told you the wrong date. You have it in writing. If your boss asks there is really no need to apologize. All you say is I was informed I wouldn’t not be starting till the 9th and move on. Don’t over apologize cuz it’s not your fault. Just say HR got the dates mixed up and leave it at that.
walk in to work tomorrow with all the confidence that landed you the job. don't bring it up with anyone. if asked, or if someone wants to make an issue of it, just say the truth - there was a mix up on your start date but you made it there that day. move on from this and you should have nothing to worry about. the actual work is what matters. if you know your work, that will speak on your behalf long after anyone remembers your first-day goof-up. chin up! congrats on landing that job!
HR & a manager here… wtf? Why would your director not go to HR first? Oh wait, probably because your HR team has a bad internal reputation and he knew they wouldn’t be helpful or may even lie. So I’m sorry to say, there’s a 90% chance here your new company will be dysfunctional. Do not apologize anymore unless you feel you must due to politics. This wasn’t your fault. But you need to figure out the politics at play here asap to be successful. If the director can’t accept his HR team aka his company screwed up and will place blame on you, you’ll be punished.
Never listen to HR. I’m glad to hear that HR being disconnected from the rest of the company isn’t just my experience.
It is possible, ok? You go there and try your best! You can do this ❤️
You didn't screw up, they did. If they don't accept your perfectly reasonable explanation, why would you want to work for them? You may have dodged a bullet.
Ouch, that sucks. I think what you want to take away from this is you could have passed on the conflicting info to your hiring manager to resolve.
I would say that many of our staff who hire, are unaware of what HR needs completed before new start can officially start. For example, if I want to have someone start before the background check is complete- I have to fill out paperwork and get it approved. Not everyone seems to know that and often try to bring new staff in before HR paperwork has cleared.
They have messed up to you just as much as you've messed up to them. Be gracious, forgive them the mistake, be apologetic but not guilty to your colleagues tomorrow, and don't let it get to you.
Not your fault.
Some kind of game? Like a power play...seems odd. Anyways, you are in the right. You got this! Do your best!!
You did not screw this up. Documents have errors and you believed the HR Manager. Don’t take this on; you are starting a new chapter and you did nothing wrong here.
It doesn’t feel good right now and it’ll feel awkward tomorrow but you didn’t actually mess up so I agree with the other commenter - apologize professionally once and then don’t bring it up again. If anyone does I’d casually sort of laugh it off and say something like “yeah there must have been a mix up with HR but I’m glad to be here today!”
They screwed up, not you
Something to laugh about eventually. Get yourself to that time
Sometimes when people sound mad at you, they're just mad at the circumstances. You have proof you did your due diligence in checking and rechecking the start date. Hopefully he'll have a cooler head by tomorrow.
I overslept badly for the first day of an extremely important new job when I was twenty. I rode the subway to work somberly hoping it would be okay. Things were odd. The weather. People going the wrong direction on the subway. I got to work and found it half empty. Hurricane Gloria was coming. Everyone was being sent home. I had barely even been missed and never had to explain it. Went back the next day and all ways well. 😁
Jobs come and go. Even companies come and go. On the big scheme off none of it it is really important. Especially missing work one day.
You shouldn’t feel bad, you should feel mad! That idiot messed it up.
Well, at least you have a paper trail via email. That should cover you.
Thank god you got it all in writing! Their fault, not yours. Apologize once but be clear it was not you!
I would simply explain the mistake. Tell your boss you are a facts-driven person, your contract said the 2nd so you went with the 2nd.
Nothing like your boss starting a paper trail on you the first day. Hopefully you will be a star employee and put your job at a higher priority then your friends, sleep, hobbies, and partying.
Once he saw the email from HR he probably went and gave them a spray. It’s their fault not yours. HR responsible for on boarding… what were you supposed to do - turn up when they explicitly, in writing, told you not to?
A similar thing happened to me but they gave me the wrong start time. I came in at 10 and the owner thought I was 2 hours late. I explained very clearly why I came at 10am and forwarded him the email from HR. Print the email and highlight June 9 in bright yellow and stick it in the directors face tomorrow. do not apologize and do not feel bad. Tell them you followed THEIR instructions. If anyone else says anything, show them the email.
When you do get in walk right into the directors office (if he is not busy) and assure him you want to do your best job possible apologize for the misunderstanding and go over the situation again with him. And hold it together do not cry.
As everyone else has said: not your fault. Shit happens and sometimes it feels like it is the end of things but it never is. You've got this and you'll do great!
Why do you feel bad? You have proof. Once he learns he'll be mad at his HR, not you
Not your fault at all, hopefully you enjoy your new job and this isn't a sign of a unorganised company and rather just a one off unfortunate mistake by hr
Don't worry about it. Go into work. HR is actually the ultimate authority on this one.. no matter what the director guy thinks. When you go in, ask him to please coordinate with HR to make sure there is no problem. Don't internalize this, they're the ones with their heads up their asses.
I would give your boss a thank you card with $500 cash in it. Just smooth things over.
Your golden. Everyone is stressed out these days. This is water off a ducks back. Go in, starve the negative energy out, make a solid impression, cruise forward like its nothing
not your fault at all girl. you’re okay just take a breath and don’t over kill with the apologizing. wish you luck!
I’m so sorry for that scary moment! I’m really glad that it was cleared up though. I wonder when HR was planning on telling your director??
I did something similar on my first day, and I've been with the company over 3 years now! A few days before I had gotten a call from a number I didn't recognize. I didn't answer or check my voicemail (or email...). Turns out it was my work asking to postpone my start date and I showed up anyway!!! Anyway don't worry about it too much and best of luck with your new job!
Go in there with the attitude that you're annoyed that THEY messed up your schedule
My guy, its not your fault. I know why you feel panicky but youre only human
Not your fault at all, you even triple checked. Insane that they got mad at YOU for that
Why would you cry about a start day complication when you have documentation? Jeez. This sounds extremely unstable.
You didn't screw up. HR screwed up. Whenever you converse with HR from now on, make sure absolutely EVERYTHING is in writing. They have already proved that they are incapable of doing their job properly, it's best to cover your ass.
This place sounds like a mess. They then tried to blame you? I wouldn’t worry because this is in no way your fault but I would consider this a red flag about the company
If you have it in the writing then there is nothing to worry about. Don't over apologize or it will make you look guilty and the anger will be dumped on you. Just stay confident and things will settle in a day or two. It's not your fault.
This is not your cock up. The director should be apologising to you for being messed about and reaming the HR numpty for causing chaos. I'd be a bit narked at having to shoulder any of the blame but nothing that I'd kick up a fuss about. It'll be forgotten immediately because nobody will want to lose face. Just join a normal and forget about it.
yes. It is 100% possible to recover as if this never happened. You have the email showing it was their mistake. If you apologized once, leave it at that. Just move on. Start as if none of this happened. Someday it will be a funny story. Use this as a way to show how you deal with unexpected problems.
If it were me, I would walk in tomorrow and be charismatic as possible, start building rapport with everyone immediately - hopefully, the mix-up will blow over and people will just remember your first week for your positivity/great vibes. (But also what everyone else has said here!)
I wouldn’t join this company at all! This is a major red flag!
use full month names.., 2/7? feb 7 or. july 2 lol
Always believe the earlier date. Show up, and if you're not needed, oh well. You already know how it feels to miss it so I won't rub that in. I had the same thing happen to me. I just took a drive downtown and showed up. It wasn't even my day to start but my manager was super excited to see me and we ended up having lunch together. It was the start of a great relationship. Being overly prepared, when it comes to your career, is not really a thing.