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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To hand my notice in at work

226 replies

Notwavingimdrowning · 26/10/2018 08:50

I work in the nhs and although things are difficult at work at present ( lots of changes by the powers that be, lots of politics and no communication) I love my job. My problem is that I have just been given my Christmas rota and while I expected to be working some of Christmas or new year, I didn’t expect to be working all of it and other staff be off for all of Christmas and new year. In previous years we have worked short shifts and everyone was fairly treated and most were very happy with their off duty, me included. This year, I have been given night shift for 5 of the nights over Christmas. So, three nights in a row, a sleep day Xmas eve, then two more night shifts, Xmas day and Boxing Day, as well as long days New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. I have been and spoken to my manager who agreed that it was very unfair and has now taken one night shift (Boxing Day night) from me. My January rota is also just night shifts, literally every weekend, Friday, Saturday, Sunday nights, not a single day shift at all. I really don’t mind nights and weekends, it’s part of the job, however I do mind every weekend and all night shifts and have spoken to her about this before.
Again I have been to see her and she said that she couldn’t please everyone and that somebody had to have the short straw, I’m guessing that the somebody is me.
I am seriously considering just handing my notice in. I know it sounds like I’m having a temper tantrum ! I don’t expect to have everything changed for me and I know that somebody else will then be allocated my shifts, which makes me feel utter crap towards my colleagues, but it’s the attitude from my manager and unfairness that is the problem. I cannot afford to just give up work really without another job to go to, but my husband will support my decision 100% and I will easily pick up bank shifts so won’t be penniless. I’m not trying to hold them to ransom, I really don’t expect anything to change and do not kid myself that I am irreplaceable, I’m just so unhappy 😞

OP posts:
Original poster
Notwavingimdrowning · 29/10/2018 21:20

My notice period is 8 weeks so yes if tomorrow my Xmas rota is still not acceptable I will go. I have to do what’s right for me and my family, but I am torn between my love for my job and trying to be loyal to the ward and juggling my home life. We will see tomorrow but I know I need to start putting myself and family first.

OP posts:
GrandmaSharksDentures · 29/10/2018 21:37

Well done! Don't forget that you can always withdraw your notice if the rota is sorted later (they may not accept the withdrawal though)

FishesThatFly · 30/10/2018 21:50

@Pennypinkhair - how was today?

Original poster
Notwavingimdrowning · 30/10/2018 22:05

FishesThatFly ... I haven’t heard anything today at all, so have emailed my notice in, dated for yesterday. I wrote, further to our meeting and conversation, it is with deep regret that I feel I have no other option than to resign my position, as discussed.
I hope that it will be fine as technically i should now work Xmas day as Monday was the last day. I am going to ring HR tomorrow too. I regret now trusting that my manager would sort things out and giving her the benefit of the doubt.

OP posts:
Mummyundecided · 30/10/2018 22:16

Well done @Pennypinkhair -they’ve lost a real team player. You’ll be highly-valued elsewhere.

itswinetime · 30/10/2018 22:20

Penny don't forget annual leave you may be entitled to some which you can used as part of your notice depends how much you have taken so far this year.

Holidayshopping · 30/10/2018 22:32

Good for you! When will your manager find out?

Alittlebitofthis · 30/10/2018 22:56

I also work for the nhs. I'm pretty sure that if you've got your notice in, you wouldn't be able to work Xmas night into Boxing Day as your leaving date is the 25th. Maybe check when you phone HR tomorrow.

BewareOfDragons · 30/10/2018 23:29

Tell them you expect it to be honoured as given yesterday, since you were trying to trust your manager's promises, yet again, but yet again, she failed you.

And use your annual leave for the run up to Christmas.

Good luck, OP. You deserve to be treated better than you have been.

Havaina · 31/10/2018 07:07

I think you did the right thing. Let us know her response!

Holidayshopping · 31/10/2018 07:15

Well done. Don’t let her talk you into staying with a marginally better shift pattern. It’ll almost certainly get cancelled at the last minute!

stopitandtidyupp · 31/10/2018 07:23

Reading this it is so sad. They are losing a really good member of staff.

Well done on standing up for yourself. I hope you find more work soon.

Chocolala · 31/10/2018 08:00

Don’t let them bully you into working xmas day. Simply refuse. Take the position that your manager knew you were quitting depending on whether she chose to act or not. She chose not to, hence your resignation stands as at yesterday.

And if they say you can’t do that - don’t give in. It’s the last day of your notice and you’ve told them you aren’t working it and are disputing any ground on which they might try to ‘require’ it. There’s f-all they can do.

agedknees · 31/10/2018 09:11

Yanbu. This is why good nurses leave the nhs.

Teateaandmoretea · 31/10/2018 11:56

Generally speaking notice means nothing at all. You can walk at any time you like. I guess though in this case you may want to work on a different Ward at the same hospital so that may be problematic.

moreginrequired · 31/10/2018 12:22

have you spoken to your Union rep? This would be my first port of call and or speaking to HR if the proportion of night shift allocated to you is more than to other colleugues. At least do that whilst you find something else. good luck. Ive been there, and can completely appreciate how much it sucks

whatisforteamum · 31/10/2018 13:11

Sounds like bullying so good for you for resigning.I've considered it too.I work shift patterns and our Rota was done the week before last year!!!one guy had Xmas day I had boxing day.and the other lad new years day.He has asked for boxing day this year which seems fair.The thing I hate is missing the whole run up in D rd due.to Xmas bookings.All December is harder work and I'm my 50 s i feel like doing the normal fun stuff for a.change!

whatisforteamum · 31/10/2018 13:22

I meant bullshit not bullying#

whatisforteamum · 31/10/2018 23:07

Any update OP?

stayathomegardener · 01/11/2018 09:33

The fact you are prepared to hand your notice in will give you an inner confidence, hopefully your manager will be more reasonable but do be prepared for colleges to be annoyed with you as many will have now made plans. Not your fault though.

stayathomegardener · 01/11/2018 11:37

Sorry poor WiFi didn't upload the last posts.
Sad but well done!

FishesThatFly · 07/11/2018 06:03

@Pennypinkhair - how are thing's?

cstaff · 07/11/2018 14:58

Did you get any feedback from your boss / HR Penny. Hope all works out for you.

Original poster
Notwavingimdrowning · 07/11/2018 15:19

Hi all .. well no change at all really. In fact she hasn’t communicated with me about it at all. The only communication was her asking me to work an extra shift .. which I declined. I have been again to see her and all I get is the same false promise that she will look at the rota which never happens. It does look likely that I will end up having to work the xmas rota as apparently an email ... despite several conversations and my notice in writing ( which she gave me back) wasn’t acceptable and the timeframe means that my notice now runs into January. HR have not been any use either.

OP posts:
HashTagLil · 07/11/2018 15:22

I would now contact your union for advice OP.

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