To hand my notice in at work

[Notwavingimdrowning]

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 😞

Erm she can't just hand your notice back to you and refuse to accept it surely!!!!

Penny you have provided your written notice in multiple formats, her not accepting it does not affect its validity or no one would ever be able to leave a job if their manager said no.

Stick to your original time frame, forward your original email with your notice on it to your manager and cc HR, at the top confirming your final date of work and ask for your remaining holiday entitlement to be calculated to that date so you can then decide whether to work your final day or take it as leave. (further to my email below containing my written resignation from X post, please be aware my final working day will be X. Please calculate what leave I have remaining to that date and let me know so I can plan accordingly)

If you have a union I would contact them, and get some support

I’m sorry but she’s choosing to be difficult and refuse your resignation which she isn’t allowed to do. She’s had written notice and an email - what else does she want? Email like other PP have stated and reiterate your leaving date, not the one she’s chosen to make it all a bit easier for her planning.

I haven’t read the full thread, but it absolutely blows my mind how poorly the nhs treats it’s staff. The trust I work in has a very clearly defined rostering policy, unfortunately nursing management disregard it almost universally. If they adopted it they might find they kept staff, and reduced absence rates. Rotas can make or break you, they determine whether you get any sort of work life balance.

What date did you first give your notice?

FFS. Contact your union. She can't do this.

Definitely reach out to your union email is absolutely an acceptable way to had you notice in tv the nhs I have done it twice! Also make sure your annual leave has been calculated correctly what are you owed and then take it as part of your notice!

Email her and copy in her and her line manger stating again the day you first submitted your notice and your leaving date ask for a figure of the leave you are owed and state you want to use it as part of your notice period. End by telling them you are seeking advice form your union but your last date is 24/12/2018 and you won't be present on duty after that.

When I've handed my notice in in the past, I've had the company come back and say 'we've accepted your resignation' which always baffled me because they could never refuse!

I would check your policy/contract and see if it says anything that notice is letter only. If it just says in writing then they don't have a leg to stand on as email is writing.

OP absolutely do not work Christmas! It isn't open to your line manager to not accept your resignation to try and make her own life easier.

Confirm again that your last day is 24th December and you won't be working after this and contact the Union for support. Your line manager is determined to get you to work Christmas by hook or by crook, it's her fault she's in this situation, she shouldn't have taken the piss. Stick to your guns.

You gave your notice in an email which she said wasn't acceptable, and she gave you back your written notice?

You've given your notice, she's being difficult because she wants you to work the crappy hours

Nope you forward the email to her again and cc in HR and the union and say that your resignation via email is legally acceptable and as stated with your 8 week notice what is your last day will be Christmas Eve

That is all you do. She cannot play it any other way

and yes her boss as well making it clear that the rota is unacceptable and that is why you are leaving

She cannot refuse it

OP, I hope you're taking on board what everyone is saying.

SHe CANNOT refuse your notice by handing it back. You have given it. You have resigned effective . Tell her you won't be turning up after __ day because you will no longer be working there. And tell her you will be formally complaining about her treatment of you re rota AND her trying to ignore you resignation and pretending you're not allowed to leave a job.

SHocking treatment. No wonder the NHS is struggling to keep staff.

For what it's worth, I'd also be looking at constructive dismissal. It's worth calling acas and getting some advice as well as your union

OP don't acquiesce and stay until January. She's taking you for a mug, she obv thinks you have no backbone. You havegiven notice in a correct way. You can finish on 24/12. Clarify it one last time tomorrow, and then say your goodbyes and walk out of there on 24th and enjoy your Christmas.

OP speak to your union.

DH works for a healthcare union and sees this shit all the time- HCP putting up with crap management for the benefit of their patients and feeling the brunt of it as a result.

HR should be much more interested in this than they have shown you so far- it sometimes takes a third party who knows what buttons to push and buzzwords to use to get somewhere.

This year will be my first Christmas not having to worry about working any of the Christmas period. After 32 years of the Christmas rosta hell I am free and it feels good ! Hope you manage to get it sorted .

An email absolutely is acceptable! In fact, a text message would count as sufficient as written notice, if it was put to the test, although far from ideal. Notice is notice. Do not let this put you off - you gave notice.

What do you think will happen if you don’t work out your full notice?!

Precisely NOTHING!

Speak to HR, inform them of your issues and how your manager has behaved. Speak also to your union.

If no-one helps, by all means keep quiet, and go sick on Christmas Eve.

You can self-certify with a terrible illness for 5 days.

Just refuse to go in regardless of what she says. They can hardly fire you on your last day and definitely let her superior and your union know what is going on and the stunt she tried to pull.

She can't refuse your notice.

Contact your union and speak to HR.

Have checked with union-DH - he’s said manager is definitely, 100% talking out of her arse re your notice and HR will have to back you up on that (once they actually decide to address the issue).

An email is sufficient. Ignore your manager and deal with Hr directly and cc her into emails about your leaving date, annual leave entitlement, and any other outstanding issues.

*What do you think will happen if you don’t work out your full notice?!

Precisely NOTHING!*

I know, right?

Honestly OP don't let her do this to you. They really can't do anything to stop you. Forward your original email to HR, copying your appallingly inept boss, outline that this kind of bullying, intransigent management style is precisely why you are resigning. State that you fully intend your last day to be the 24th as per the original date of your email and that you expect them to facilitate your exit on that date with all your pay/holiday/paperwork in order.

Multi million pound contracts are signed by email every day. An email is the definition of written notice in the modern workplace, I’ve only ever given formal notice by email. She is now actively trying to screw you over. Stand your ground and enjoy Christmas Day.