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Original poster

Stick with my job or take new job offer?

27 replies

Mixitupalot · 28/10/2021 22:49

I have been working in hospitality as a senior manager for over 15 years, I am
With my current employer just over three years.

In my current job I have a senior role and I am paid very well for compared to most in my position. My problem is that I work over 60-70 hours a week with one day off and it is making me miserable and very mentally ill. during peak times we have no staff and I am doing the job of several members of staff (there’s even days I have to clean the loos because we don’t have the staff)

I am Physically not fit for the heavy lifting and long hours on my feet now. I’ve asked work for a change to my hours and it’s been refused due to no staff/needs of the business.

Anyway I’ve been offered a new role Monday-Friday 9-5 as a manager in the charity sector, with the same rate of pay and it’s closer to home.

My head says go to the new job but my heart knows I will really miss my current team and certain parts of my job. On paper it seams an easy decision but what’s better, a job I enjoy (sometimes) or an easier life overall?

OP posts:
WillYouDoTheFandango · 28/10/2021 22:53

Take the new job. As you say it’s a no brainer. You’re not physically able to do your current job and it will only get worse.

BritInAus · 28/10/2021 22:56

New job - without a doubt!

StrawberryJamSandwiches · 28/10/2021 22:57

Take th new one and get a bit of your life back! One day off a week and all that stress? You'll feel a new lease of life come on with a Monday - Friday role, grab it Smile

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Jobs
ToastieSnowy · 28/10/2021 22:59

I work over 60-70 hours a week with one day off and it is making me miserable and very mentally ill.

Read this back OP. Take the new job.

Original poster
Mixitupalot · 29/10/2021 10:26

Thanks for your reply’s. I know it makes sense but I have such loyalty to my current employer as he has been very good to me.

Has anyone ever been in a similar situation?

OP posts:
fussygalore118 · 29/10/2021 10:57

New job!
Christ def new job. And sorry but your current employer is not being good to you! I work in a senior role in the NHS and understand staffing crisis etc but your work hours are unsustainable and really not healthy.

Can you see yourself doing this for the next 3-5 years?
Take the new job.

Daisy829 · 29/10/2021 10:58

I can understand loyalty but he’s not being that good to you if he won’t consider adjusting your working pattern. You will make yourself ill if you carry on. Definitely take the new job. Good luck.

Original poster
Mixitupalot · 29/10/2021 17:10

Ok i think I’ll hand my notice in on Monday. It will be difficult and the company have been know to just ask people to leave who are resigning.

I’ve been in this industry so long I’ve become used to how it is; long hours & hard work & not much of a life. Maybe it’s just time to think of my family and give them a normal life too.

Gosh I hate changing jobs!!

OP posts:
Leftphalange · 29/10/2021 17:15

I would absolutely change jobs. The hospitality industry is a mess now and it's going to take a while to get better

On another note, I thought legally you could bit be forced to work over 48 hours per week, and even if you have signed to say you will, you can retract that at any point?

Original poster
Mixitupalot · 29/10/2021 19:52

I don’t think that particular rule applies to hotels. I don’t know anywhere that has managers only working 45 hrs or less. It’s just the done thing.

Maybe I am just afraid of the change.

OP posts:
Glitterandmud · 29/10/2021 20:02

Go for the new job!

I hate resigning, I always feel i am letting people down but every manager over the years has been supportive. You gave them a chance to keep you with the adjusted hours, they couldn't do that, they'll have realised a consequence to refusing your request could be you leave.

Good luck in your new job!

Leftphalange · 29/10/2021 20:58

@Mixitupalot

I don’t think that particular rule applies to hotels. I don’t know anywhere that has managers only working 45 hrs or less. It’s just the done thing.

Maybe I am just afraid of the change.

It should apply, I worked in hospitality for years and it was called the working time directive. Though I understand what you mean, regardless of legalities, there is an expectation to work these long hours. I left it and haven't looked back. Go for it and enjoy the change
AnneElliott · 29/10/2021 21:03

I agree with everyone else - take the job. You can still stay in touch with your ex colleagues - I'm still friends with several from my first job 20 years ago.

And your employer hasn't been that good to you if they refused to let you drop your hours.

flowery · 29/10/2021 21:06

”it is making me miserable and very mentally ill.”

This should not be any kind of dilemma.

Original poster
Mixitupalot · 07/11/2021 10:09

So just an update for you.

I handed my notice in Monday past. My manager went mental and told me not to come back, that I was a disgrace to the company. He then went on to tell me I won’t be getting a reference or my last weeks pay or the 4 weeks holiday pay they owe me.

I don’t have a leg to stand on as I had already emailed my notice to the directors and so can’t claim that I was sacked?! What do I do now with no money and no references!

My new job starts on the 22nd but it’s monthly pay so I won’t have any money until the last week in December!

OP posts:
WhatsitWiggle · 07/11/2021 10:16

Contact ACAS. They are legally obliged to pay you for the days you worked and holiday pay.

Is your manager one of the directors? If not raise a grievance asking for what you are owed. Steps after that are to go for conciliation and then legal but courts will want to see that you've asked directly first.

PantsandBoots · 07/11/2021 10:32

If you get this thread moved to employment issues, then you will get some professional advice.

He cant withhold your pay.

Most references these days are factual eg dates worked, salary and position. You could sue him if he writes a reference that leads you to lose a job.

Stand firm.

StripeyDeckchair · 07/11/2021 10:41

Take the new job, it sounds like you'll have much better work-life balance.

You might feel loyalty to your employer & team but rest assured they'd get rid of you/leave without a backwards glance if it suited them.
Your employer is only as loyal as your last pay cheque.

bonfireheart · 07/11/2021 10:57

Yes to contacting ACAS.

LemonGelato · 07/11/2021 12:08

Have a read of these
www.acas.org.uk/notice-periods/when-an-employee-is-not-required-to-work-their-notice
www.gov.uk/holiday-entitlement-rights/taking-holiday-before-leaving-a-job

The manager throwing a strop may back down once told what the legal position is.

Did the manager just tell you this verbally or reply in writing (email) to you? If not in writing, email them (or preferably HR if there is one, or one of the other Directors you resigned to) setting out what happened factually i.e. resigned on this date, told did not have to work my notice but would not be paid for it, told would not be paid accrued untaken leave. Request the payment pointing it your are legally entitled to it. Copy in payroll as they will usually know the legal position to.

As per the advice in the ACAS link, depending on the wording in your contract, an employer is usually obligated to pay you for your notice period if they choose not to permit you to work during it. You are also entitled to payment for accrued untaken annual leave up until your last day of service (again slightly dependent on wording of contract as they might only be obliged to pay statutory entitlement rather than pay enhanced company entitlement)

If your request for payment doesn't work, you could raise a grievance to see if that resolves the matter quickly. However there is nothing stopping you lodging an employment tribunal claim immediately for wrongful dismissal/unlawful deduction of wages / breach of contract (ACAS may help advise on grounds for the claim but don't expect too much, they are quite limited in what they do). An ET claim is time limited so check when you have to do that by.

If they don't pay up, none of this may help with the immediate cashflow problem but you may be able to ask new employer for a partial advance on first months pay,

Penners99 · 07/11/2021 12:56

New job, total no-brainer.

Larryyourwaiter · 07/11/2021 13:01

That’s awful, how long have you been there. Do you have a contract.

I’d start setting up a paper trail now. I’d email your boss, HR and a director for confirmation of what he just said for starters.
Did you get acknowledgement of your resignation?

Crinkle77 · 07/11/2021 13:04

@Mixitupalot

Thanks for your reply’s. I know it makes sense but I have such loyalty to my current employer as he has been very good to me.

Has anyone ever been in a similar situation?

But they haven't been good to you if they expect you to work 60/70 hour weeks. You say the salary is good but is it really if you're doing a lot of overtime?
Crinkle77 · 07/11/2021 13:07

Sorry didn't read the whole thread. They sound like total knob heads. You're well rid.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 07/11/2021 13:10

I don’t have a leg to stand on as I had already emailed my notice to the directors and so can’t claim that I was sacked?! What do I do now with no money and no references!
You go back to the directors and explain what your manager has said and ask them to ensure you are given what you are legally entitled to.