To leave without giving notice?

[beyondthesky]

What is the worst that can happen if I turn up to work next week and say I'm not coming back? Will the company sue me for breach of contract - ie not giving one month's notice? I get paid for the whole month on the 15th so obviously I will owe them some time/money, which I'm quite happy to see through, just don't want to stay any longer.

I've had it with my job. I'm being micro-managed by a really unpleasant colleague who has the same role as me. The only reason she feels able to do this is because I am part-time and she is full-time.

She is thoroughly obnoxious to every single person who crosses her path - except the most senior managers of course - sickly sweet to them. Very clever in who she belittles and has been getting away with it for years.

I've been told on numerous occasions whenever I've complained that 'I'm able to put up with it because I'm a strong character' or similar. The third person on our team was made redundant a couple of years ago because this woman was so awful to her she went off with stress. The company were scared that she would take it to a tribunal so paid her off.

She is the worst bully I've ever come across in my entire 50 years - although not necessarily to me as I do speak up for myself. No-one has ever done anything about it.

I actually had an ex-MD, who has moved further up in our company, ring once and ask me if she's still the same as ever!!

Anyway, in past hour she double-checked and triple-checked something I was doing. This task is entirely my responsibility and nothing to do with her whatsoever. If the job wasn't done properly I would have to do it again, no-one else. I asked her to stop doing it and let me get on with it.

She mumbled something under her breath so I told her to 'fuck off' very loudly and in front of many witnesses. She stormed off and I've just thought, do you know what, I can't be bothered with this crap anymore.

I don't get paid a fortune and we could live without it in the short term, although obviously I would have to get another job.

She is horrible all day long to people's face and about them as soon as they leave the vicinity. On the very odd occasion when someone has spoken back to her, she goes crying to HR or our manager to say she has a lot on her plate at the moment etc. Horrible, horrible woman!

People say to me on a weekly basis that they don't understand how I can work with her... it is so wearing. People ring or email me asking me to let them know when she's not around so they can ask me to do a task because it's too much hassle to deal with her.

God it feels good to vent on here. I feel like I've been keeping it in for years.

So, now I've shot myself in the foot by swearing at her so any advice would be gratefully received!

Why dont you go to HR? It sounds like you are always waiting for her reaction to things, deferring to her.

HR is new, so what? If they cant be HR then better to find out now. They have no ties or fears of this woman...yet.

It sounds like everyone loves to gossip and rant about how awful she is but that no one wants to take action.

She is a bully. She isn't going to stop and she will probably escalate given her behaviour. Much as you may all be friendly at work, you can see from those who were bullied out that no one but you will stand up for you.

And if people keep whining to you, then I would point out that you have this new HR person for a reason...

A (long-ish) update for those who are interested.

Had a meeting with my manager today which was really positive. I explained what happened last week and how I was feeling generally about things. He was sympathetic and also appalled at some of the things I was telling him

He said whilst the swearing was unprofessional not to worry too much as 'we're all grown ups'.

He agreed it should have been nipped in the bud years ago - this situation is in no way his fault as he has only been in his role for about a year.

I said that last week I was considering just walking out as or was going to hand my notice in this week. Not meant as a threat in any way, just it was intolerable now. He said he definitely didn't want me to leave, which is encouraging.

He had a chat with HR and we discussed whether I should raise a grievance. He said he would support me in that but would I consider letting him speak to her in a more general way on her return to 'mark her card' rather than it being directly about me and her so it doesn't sour relations any further between us.

With regards to other people he said that I must tell anyone who moans that they must report it each time as they cannot do anything otherwise.

So the plan is to call her in as soon as she returns from holidays so they can start as they mean to go on.

I mentioned she would say she has a lot on her plate (that's her favourite excuse for her behaviour) and he said if that's the case he will ask her what she thinks the solution is so that it doesn't impact on her colleagues.

I know it's not an easy fix but I feel like a weight has been lifted, at least in the short term.

Following

Being unhappy in your job because of a co-worker is miserable. Hopefully she'll stop her nonsense when they've had a word, if not lodge a formal complaint. Good luck

Sounds promising! Well done for speaking up.

It's probably helped loads just to have been able to talk it out and have someone senior take it seriously, OP. Another well done from here for having the guts to speak up. Your manager sounds lovely and also like he's got a very professional approach, I'm sure he'll put her in her place when she gets back.

Here's hoping elemental.

I won't see her now until August 2nd so will just have to wait to see how it pans out.

Thanks for everyone's support, it also helps.

Just be prepared for:

1. It'll all backfire and she'll somehow wangle it to make the whole thing look like your fault.

1. None of your colleagues will make an actual official complaint. They'll all say they will, then either chicken out or say they don't want to get involved with what is essentially your grievence. Everyone likes a good moan, but not putting it into writing in case it backfires on them.

In answer to your original question, it's relatively rare for employers to sue employees for breach of contract. If anything, it might be for things like divulging company secrets etc, but it's rare for companies to sue people for walking out without giving notice. Unless you were on a particularly high salary, the legal fees would cost nearly add much as the money owed so it wouldn't be worth it. Even companies with legal insurance would see it as too stressful and time-consuming, when they would be using their time more efficiently in interviewing new people.

I would be very tempted to raise/gently suggest to the senior management how much time/effort is taken kowtowing to this ridiculous employee.

They're losing employees, people are avoiding her s they find her behaviour so offensive....

Anything less than a final warning would seem to conservative...

She needs a serious talking to/warning.....

She believes that she can do anything.... Experience has taught her she can....

Promising sounding update OP. Enjoy the peace while she’s away and hopefully her card being marked on her return will chill her boots a bit!

I would be keeping an eye out for a new job just in case this doesn't pan out.

Your new HR guy sounds good. We had a similar problem with someone here. They had been here for a good few years, and had been "allowed" to get away with all sorts of bad behaviours. People used to moan at me about them and I would tell them to put in an official complaint so it could be dealt with and no-one ever did because they were afraid of her reaction so she just kept getting away with it. When I came in myself and another manager tried to deal with them but we were blocked higher up. Madness.

tectonicplates

Just be prepared for:
1. It'll all backfire and she'll somehow wangle it to make the whole thing look like your fault.

I'm sure you're right, but I intend to be prepared for that scenario. and will take it to proper grievance if she persists.

2. None of your colleagues will make an actual official complaint. They'll all say they will, then either chicken out or say they don't want to get involved with what is essentially your grievance. Everyone likes a good moan, but not putting it into writing in case it backfires on them.

I suspect you may be right, but from now on I will challenge her when things happen with other people in front of me. I have already begun to tell people that our manager has asked for them to report any incidents, so we shall see.

IamtheDevilsAvocado
I would be very tempted to raise/gently suggest to the senior management how much time/effort is taken kowtowing to this ridiculous employee.
She believes that she can do anything.... Experience has taught her she can...

Both excellent points as well. I am hoping I may be able to gather some momentum on this issue now that it's out in the open. A colleague in another department, who is also often on receiving end, has said that she will report it each time too.

There was actually an issue this morning with conference call meeting which she had arranged. It was a technical fault (she'd had notification of this via email a few days ago) which I resolved.

I sent an email to the relevant managers to clarify the issue, and also copied her in so that she was aware of it on her return. I made no mention of the fact that she hadn't acted on the email she'd received as that's not my style (perhaps I should have).

My email said: "X, Y, Z happened.... this was the problem, this was the solution. Also, to confirm, this doesn't affect A, B, C."

She answered within seconds (even though she's off) to the directors: "The problem with that is you haven't taken into account A, B, C".

"Yes, I have, which is why I clarified that in my original email."

She very kindly illustrated my point about nit-picking and micro-managing beautifully

I guess this is at least hopeful?

Really do hope they get their finger out... In my (sadly, fairly extensive) experience of these type of people... Mostly in public service, everyone knows how awful they are.... But often the people with power to sack aren't the most impacted... It's all the awful person's immediate colleagues...they're the ones that have all their time wasted and develop stress induced physical problems....

Are you in public sector OP?

No not public sector. Yes you're right it's not managers who face brunt of it.

It sounds positive OP. I am in the process of leaving my job because of a colleague. It has kick started a whole 'investigation'. It's most likely going to result in them becoming a consultant that works from home. It's a shame that it took me leaving to make this happen though whereas they are trying to sort it before you get to that point. I really hope it goes well for you!

Following!
Lets hope she doesnt wiggle her way out with excuses.

Following - I've been there many years ago. Good luck!