Sorry, this is a long one. Thanks to all who read through and share their thoughts!
I am an "advanced practitioner" (intentionally being non-specific here). Essentially I work at a hospital, I see patients, but I am not a physician and I don't get paid like a physician (I make just above 6 figures).
I'm about 5 years to lean FIRE, and there are good things about my job, such as:
- I feel I am compensated fairly.
- I work just 4 days per week.
- I'm well-respected.
There are also bad things about my job including:
- It's a very emotionally draining job.
- My employer asks us every year to do more with less. (To be fair, that's healthcare reform).
- I'm just super burnt out.
So, I've already been struggling with my job, but intended to make it to lean FIRE before I quit.
Here's what's happening now: All hospitals in the US are struggling right now to stay afloat, including mine. I personally am seeing just as many patients as I've ever seen, except I have to see them all virtually, which is more emotionally draining than seeing them live. Yet, despite me doing the same amount of work, we're losing money. Today my boss called a meeting, sat us down and told us that she has to go to a meeting with the higher-ups tomorrow and she has to present a plan telling them what our clinic is doing to help our hospital stay alive. She tells us that her plan is essentially this: We will work our same hours and see the same number of patients, but we will be forced to take 8 hours per every two weeks as paid time off. (Even though we are working those hours). I'm in absolute shock during the meeting and say nothing. After the meeting is over I realize: No. I can't do it. I'm already burnt out. I'm already giving all that I'm willing to give. I already have a vacation booked for November that I'd have to cancel if I gave up my PTO. Because I'm so burnt out, I really feel that vacation is needed for my sanity. (I also can't figure out why taking away my PTO is going to help the budget at all, but that's just a side note....)
I would have liked to have gone home and thought things over before talking to my boss, but she told us the plan less than 24 hours before she planned to present it to the higher-ups so I feel that if I'm going to speak up, I must do it now. So I go to her and tell her that this sacrifice is too much for me personally, and that if we move forward with this plan, I will be seeking employment elsewhere. (I did not say I would quit, I said I'd have to actively seek out other options). She's shocked, horrified, and explains that if we all give up some PTO we can *possibly* avoid lay-offs. She also then explains that they can't actually force me to give up my PTO, but that the whole team is planning on giving there's up. She basically tells me that I can stay and keep my PTO, but that I shouldn't really tell anyone (because it wasn't presented as optional until I told her I didn't want to do it, and I'm afraid she doesn't want anyone else to know!!!!). She tells me that it would really be nice if I'd give it up because someone could lose their job, and giving up my PTO might help them avoid losing their job. She also points out that it's not a great sign that I'm so willing to give up my job (I think she meant this mostly to say that she would like it if I loved my job more, and I actually do think it came from a place of kindness). I explain that time is more important to me than money and I'd rather furlough one day per week, or take a pay cut over giving up my PTO. She doesn't seem inspired by either of these ideas but seems very disappointed in me that I don't want to give up my PTO.
So...Am I the a**hole because I don't want to give up my vacation to possibly save the job of someone else?
Is my employer being kind of manipulative so perhaps I should go look for a new job regardless of their plan?
Should I give up my PTO like everyone else is doing?
Should I quietly keep my PTO and slog out another 5 years till I can make it to FI?
Should I give them just a little bit of PTO?
Should I refuse to give my PTO but then once again offer to take a pay cut?
I'd love your thoughts including the reasoning behind your opinion.
All thoughts welcome. I feel like a bomb's just been dropped and I don't know what's up or down.