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Original poster

Giving work notice to the bullies

30 replies

Cockneybarmaid · 21/02/2024 16:58

Can anyone help me with the correct wording for official notice to quit my job (based on the following circumstances) please…
I was bullied and discriminated against during my pregnancy, they made my life hell, I finally walked out and got signed off sick when they surrounded me and called me names, I honestly thought I was going to be physically assaulted. I didn’t want to get the police involved as they knew where I live and were not nice people.
I went on maternity leave so I could get the SMP I was entitled to, which has now come to an end. I’m not going back to that job, I would honestly fear for my safety if I came into contact with any of them again.
The anxiety and stress it’s now causing me is astronomical. I need to contact them to inform them I won’t be coming back and to return my uniform. I don’t know how to do it without having to communicate directly with them. Work policy is to hand the letter of notice to the manager (who is the worse of the bunch) And uniform to be professionally laundered, taken in and signed off each item.
If I dump it on their doorstep or post the notice what sort of trouble am I likely to be in legally? They will go as far as possible to make my life hell again if they can if I don’t follow policy. But I can’t see them after what they did. I have no one else to ask to do it for me even if I was allowed. Can they take me to court or charge me for not following rules as a breech of contract?
Vent aside, can anyone help with the wording of the notice and recommend how to handle it and put it behind me?
Typical notice I have given in previous jobs have been polite and thankful for the opportunity etc but I have no intention of that with this letter. I just want to forget them and move on with my life now I’m in a better place.
thank you

OP posts:
Gazelda · 21/02/2024 17:21

Can you simply write:

Dear [manager]

Please accept this letter as my resignation from the role of [team leader or whatever] at [anycompany], effective from x date.

Please advise any outstanding AL due and when final salary will be paid.

Your sincerely etc etc

I'm afraid can't answer in respect of how you hand your notice and uniform in.

allaloneandlost · 21/02/2024 17:24

Sorry you had this.

I would email the manager that you're resigning effective immediately. I'd leave the uniform in a safe place like manager's desk or cupboard. If email isn't an option I'd do same with letter just saying you're resigning with immediate effect and would go when it's quiet and manager and most people are left so you don't have to face them. They can't take you to court or charge you as you've returned and resigned. If they say that I'd threaten THEM with court over your treatment.

Ilovemyshed · 21/02/2024 17:27

Send a letter recorded delivery with your resignation and enclose the uniform in the parcel.

Lengokengo · 21/02/2024 17:28

You could itemise the uniform returned in your resignation letter and take a photo?

is it a company with an HR or any other separate but related person or department ? Could you return uniform to a neutral party who can provide you with a receipt?

Ilovemyshed · 21/02/2024 17:29

Take photographic evidence of the uniform return, condition of each items etc.

Alternatively you could ask a solicitor to write on your behalf.

Elektra1 · 21/02/2024 17:30

Look at your contract to see what it says about returning uniform, and just do that. Simple resignation letter does not require giving a reason if you don't want to.

Redglitter · 21/02/2024 17:31

Why on earth has the uniform to be professionally laundered? They're not going to reissue to someone else surely

Rocknrolla21 · 21/02/2024 17:31

Send them the items any way you wish, just make sure you have proof that you’ve done it. Keep laundry and delivery receipts and any photos for proof. Even if you’ve not done everything by the book, they still need a reason to take you to court

LakeTiticaca · 21/02/2024 17:31

What the hell kind of workplace is it that allows this sort of behaviour:?

TheFormidableMrsC · 21/02/2024 17:32

I'd take legal advice too. Do you belong to a union? This is so completely inappropriate not to mention illegal, particularly when you were pregnant. I'd definitely pursue it. What sort of business allows this behaviour? So sorry you went through this.

Quizine · 21/02/2024 17:36

I'd get signed off for stress for as long as doc will allow.

Then when sick leave is done, resign and leave uniform in a suitable place, and drop letter to manager's office.

I know there is probably a sick leave policy and only sick pay, but if you can afford it do it.

I would also like to know what kind of hellish place this is and what led to the bullying. It sounds absolutely awful. Is there a HR and/or a bullying policy in your place of work?

Anameisaname · 21/02/2024 17:38

I'd actually courier the uniform so you have proof of receipt. Evri or Hermes one of the cheapo ones.
In terms of the resignation- email is fine. Just set up a new email account if you want specifically for this. I would also cc to the HR dept if you have their email address

allaloneandlost · 21/02/2024 17:49

You can set up a throwaway email account and email better as you can prove you sent rather than them causing more trouble saying they didn't receive that.

Bluetrews25 · 21/02/2024 19:24

When I resigned from my last job, I googled resignation letter where you don't want to work out your notice period. Or similar. Found lots of templates. I used the expression 'toxic work environment' as a reason why I wanted to leave without working my notice period. It worked. I only had to do a few days. (I was also bullied. By my line manager.)
Obviously, your situation is a bit different.
Email it in.
Post the uniform.
Enjoy the rest of your life free of that awful place. It's a great feeling. xx

Heathers4evs · 21/02/2024 19:44

I agree with a PP - you should get signed off on sick leave as your job is causing you so much stress.

Use the time to plan next steps - can you get advice from a union or ACCAS on your options eg can you seek a settlement due to potential constructive dismissal?

TrentCrimmOfTheIndependent · 21/02/2024 19:47

Could you go with a friend to hand in the stupid uniform? Sorry you’re going through this x

Willmafrockfit · 21/02/2024 19:52

can someone hand in the uniform on your behalf?

PonyPatter44 · 21/02/2024 20:00

Is it a care home? I would ask a friend to go and drop off the stupid uniform at the front desk and tell them to give her a receipt for it all. Have you got a suitably bolshy friend who would be happy to do this?

Balloonhearts · 21/02/2024 20:02

I like this. Short, to the point.

Giving work notice to the bullies
RollOnSpringDays · 21/02/2024 20:04

If they want the uniform they can come and get it. I’d post the letter and tell them they can write to you to let you know if they want it - they really won’t be arsed. Don’t go near that place again.

WandaWonder · 21/02/2024 20:06

You write the basics 'handing in notice from this date' something like that the back story is not relevant when handing in a notice

Balloonhearts · 21/02/2024 20:07

Really though, I would follow policy to the letter but take someone with you and have them recording the whole transaction on their phone. Not obviously but in a pocket or bag. That or stay signed off sick, raise a grievance and hand notice and uniform to the impartial outside manager who conducts the investigation. I would personally go the grievance route. I had a job where I was bullied and I well and truly screwed them over. Serves them bloody right.

HappiestSleeping · 21/02/2024 20:11

Balloonhearts · 21/02/2024 20:02

I like this. Short, to the point.

Love this.

RubyRed55 · 21/02/2024 20:15

Absolutely no job on the planet is worth enduring this level of stress and bullying.
Return uniform by special delivery so you will have proof of delivery time, date and signature. Enclose resignation letter. I wouldn't give them the satisfaction of knowing they pushed you out.
Toxic work environments should never be endured.

Original poster
Cockneybarmaid · 21/02/2024 20:35

Thank you everyone for the kind words and support. It’s a family business where they all cover for each other so I’d have no hope. Only 4 of us are not family. In their words I ruined their business by falling pregnant as I couldn’t do any heavy lifting and needed outside help and I needed paid time off for appointments which my manager refused to do until I demanded the pay. I’m 99% sure I overheard one of them say ‘I hope she loses it’ aimed towards me although I can’t prove it as she could claim she meant something else. It’s been lovely not working there so I’d never return or even put the awful place on my CV.
I will photograph everything and send it by recorded delivery, I’m glad this was suggested as I would have a breakdown entering the place or coming face to face with them.
I’m still technically on Mat leave although the unpaid part yet I discovered just now that my job was advertised 3 months ago! No idea if I’ve been replaced, although I know legally they would have to offer my job back I just don’t have the strength to fight the bunch of bitches. I know if I returned they would be even worse as pregnant women are protected but now I’m not pregnant they’re free to do as they please.

OP posts: