would you do this when leaving a job?

[AuntieMeemz]

My probation is due to come to and end in a few weeks. It's been the worst job of my life, in a totally unworkable situation.
I've put a lot of effort into organising the chaos, setting up systems to make it more workable, and totally failed to manage the worst manager ever! (Head office did warn me about him AFTER I started the job, but have not supported me in trying to deal with the issues).
when I leave (I'm sure they won't confirm my contract) I really feel like 'losing' my detailed instructions, organised systems, carefully planned check lists and carefully updated documents and spreadsheets.
It's not very altruistic of me, but why should I do all this, get kicked out, so that someone else can roll in and take all the credit?

Depends whether or not you need a reference from them ... Also, think about the person starting after you.

I had a similar job once. The nicest thing that happened was that my predecessor sent me a copy of the Disciplinary and Grievance policy and made sure I got it before she left. I thought it was weird at the time but soon realised why ...

Ultimately, I get more satisfaction from leaving with my head held high, knowing I am the better person.

Hope you are planning a big party for when you leave?

Do your employers know about the existence of these documents? Did you create them as part of your job description/ role they paid you to do?

I imagine that this stuff is now technically works 'property' but I'll admit I've done this before- I spent hours making something in my lunchtimes which helped me do my job and wiped the lot when I left.

Don't do it - you never know when someone who finds out about what you did (not just your successor or immediate manager) is in a position where their opinion about you might matter.

"Oh, this one worked in Acme too - do you know anything about Jane Smith? She's applying for the job in my department."

The world can be very small sometimes, I wouldn't risk it...

If they are purely something you have created for your own use then certainly wipe them. I did the same after I was managed put by a bullying boss....oh oops there goes my folder! I left process documents and previous reports alone.

Take copies for yourself for your CV obviously.

IT departments can usually recover newly deleted documents but it will take longer to find the odd sentance in the original has been changed!

to be honest arsehole managers like this never look at the paperwork or processes so it won't make any difference to him just the next poor sod

Oh, be the better person and make life easier for the poor bastard who comes after you, maybe not so satisfying but kinder. I doubt it will make any difference to the useless manager anyway, who will just expect the next minion to get it done.

I speak from bitter experience and wish this had been done for me, although it was incompetence rather than design that my immediate predeccessor bollixed up all the lovely systems created by the one who came before him, which I only found 6 months into the job.

Password protect it all but don't let anyone know the password!!

Or prevent editing, alterations and amendments and make sure your name is on every document (header/footer) . or save it all as PDFs- stops anyone claiming your work as their own.

Think of it as a "pay it.forward" opportunity. By leaving your work in place for the next person, you are making the world a better place. Be the bigger person.

Nowt wrong with leaving your signature all over the documents though

Some really good ideas, thank you.
I think the boss never wanted a deputy, and took it as a slur on his performance. He is absolutely determined to do my work and prove nobody is as good as him.It turns out my 2 predecessors both left within 2 months.

Do you not have reviews as part of your probationary period? He may be a terrible manager but if there is a constant stream of people not meeting the probation then, I would hope, HR would want to look into the reasons why (as it is reasonably uncommon in my line of work although there are three review meeting plus 1:1s). Obviously you could give them your notice and leave if you wanted to, or stick with it after probation and ask for additional support/coaching/mentoring from HR to help you deal with the manager.