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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Will I be suied if I walk out without giving notice?

31 replies

Scrambledbrains · 15/05/2014 21:51

I started as a receptionist in a law firm on Monday and I really hate it. They are very demanding and I hate the environment and don't want to be there. My contract says I am suppose to give a week's notice for this probationary period, if I call and hand in my notice with immediate effect what are the chances that they will sue me, and if they did what would happen?

OP posts:

AnyoneforTurps · 15/05/2014 21:53

Very unlikely that they will sue but is it really so bad that you can't work out a week?

grocklebox · 15/05/2014 21:55

they wont, not worth their time or money.

THIS IS AIBU, by the way.

500smiles · 15/05/2014 21:55

Unlikely I would have thought but maybe ask MN to move this to "Legal" or "Employment" as you will get specialist advice from professionals rather than lots of people guessing

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 15/05/2014 21:56

Unlikely to sue you, but word can get round that you're an unreliable employee. Did you get the job through an agency? They won't be impressed if you walk out.

Is it really that bad? Can you not give it a little bit longer, first weeks are hard.

Chocotrekkie · 15/05/2014 21:57

If it's a law firm I wouldn't take a risk. They are in the perfect position to give your case to a trainee lawyer to show them the ropes.
In any other place it generally wouldn't be worth their trouble as they wouldn't bother a lawyer etc.

What will you do for money if you leave ?

If you walk out you won't get jsa straight away.

maggiethemagpie · 15/05/2014 21:57

In theory they could sue you, in practice they probably wouldn't.

SpawningSalmon · 15/05/2014 21:58

There isn't much they can do about it. It would have to go to tribunal where it would be up to them to prove that by not working your notice period it would cost the business money, usually by way of having to employ temps while recruiting etc. For a week's work it wouldn't be worth their time.

I am not an expert in the subject, but have been in a similar situation but with a notice period of 2 months and I only wanted to give a week's notice. The advice I was given was that it would be highly unusual for the company to go to the effort of trying to prove the above.

ICanSeeTheSun · 15/05/2014 22:00

I wouldn't take the risk and wait it out.

partialderivative · 15/05/2014 22:01

You are working in a Law Firm... and asking MN if they will sue you for working less than a week?

Do you think any other prospective employer will be impressed.

ICanSeeTheSun · 15/05/2014 22:02

However I would say it has been only 4 days, I would give it a month or 2.

Original poster

Scrambledbrains · 15/05/2014 22:02

Ok, thank you. And yes it really is that bad as far as I am concerned, I am having panic attacks and vomitting from panic at thoughts of going back in.

They pay on a weekly basis so are due to pay me tomorrow, can I just pay them the money back and leave it at that?

OP posts:

Fathertedfan · 15/05/2014 22:02

I'd ring them and say you have made a mistake and that the job isn't working out for you. I'm sure they'll be happy to let you walk rather than work out a week's notice. If pushed you've always got the option to ring in sick.

Original poster

Scrambledbrains · 15/05/2014 22:03

Partialderivitive I am not from a law background, I am only a receptionist there, I know nothing about the finer details of the legalities here.

OP posts:

ICanSeeTheSun · 15/05/2014 22:04

Have you had panic attacks before.

Lweji · 15/05/2014 22:04

Go to the gp, explain how you feel, including the panic attacks, get sick leave.

Berryglitter · 15/05/2014 22:05

I highly doubt it. I left a hideous sales job during my probation period, supposed to give a weeks notice but it had made me so ill I left immediately. They still paid me in full, plus holiday pay due and it was left like that.

Maybe I was lucky or they were used to it (high turn over). I'm not recommending doing this and you have to think carefully but for me I would have rather they sued me then ever step foot in there again.

tigerdriverII · 15/05/2014 22:06

In theory they could sue you but in practice they won't. However, how did you get the job? If it was through an agency I'd stick it out for the week:you'll spoil your reputation with the agency. You could also speak to your boss, explain that things haven't worked out and see if they will agree to let you off the notice: a bit more professional.

Original poster

Scrambledbrains · 15/05/2014 22:07

Yes, I have had panic attacks before but never in my workplace. That was new to me and really knocked me for six.

OP posts:

tigerdriverII · 15/05/2014 22:09

Sorry, didn't see you post about the panic attacks. If it's making you ill, I would explain that it's not worked out and go ASAP. I'd give an explanation whatever you do.

ICanSeeTheSun · 15/05/2014 22:11

I am sorry to pry, but is it the job or your anxiety.

Panic attacks can make everything seems 10000x worse.

Do what is best for you

Andrewofgg · 15/05/2014 22:12

Scrambledbrains What Fathertedfan said. If you just walk out, no matter how good your reasons, other employers might decide that you are not worth the risk. When I was in private practice I would certainly not have employed someone with a four-day job on the record.

Woobeedoo · 15/05/2014 22:14

I was in a similar position about 14yrs ago - started a new job and by the time all the introductions were done I knew I'd made a huge error.

I wanted to stick with it but ended up calling an emergency meeting with my boss on the Thursday - I explained that the job wasn't working for me and that I knew it wasn't the right place for me to stay. They were a little bemused but let me leave there and then with no penalty.

As I'd been temping for a few months before taking that permanent job, agencies suggested I just lump that job in with my other temp jobs which I did. (I initially tried honesty at job interviews but that earned me a raised eyebrow and a "We'll let you know" comment ... and no job offer).

If you can't doctor your CV as I did with the temping thing, I'd make sure you have a better reason for leaving when applying for new jobs, employers will automatically assume that you left the job as you don't like hard work.

Original poster

Scrambledbrains · 15/05/2014 22:14

It is definitely the job triggering my anxiety. I am not used to that sort of corporate environment or the sector either so I am cpmpletely overwhelmed. Started out with crying in the toilets and progressed to panic attacks.

OP posts:

Berryglitter · 15/05/2014 22:17

I'm so sorry you feel like that, I know how horrible it is. Go in tomorrow and speak to them. They're human, it isn't the right thing for you and I'm sure if you're honest they'll understand. Best of luck finding something that suits you.

JingletsJangletsYellowBanglets · 15/05/2014 22:22

No they won't sue you. Odly, they're actually very non aggressive when it comes to this kind of stuff and will avoid litigation and tribunals through mediation. Probably because they know just how expensive solicitors are

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