Walked out...now what?

[colourbynumbers]

Basically, I walked out of my job yesterday.

It was the final straw after weeks of dealing with my very unprofessional boss (and business owner) and her hostile behaviour.

Her husband has just called me to say that I need to give them a letter saying that it was my choice to leave and that I won't be going back - but he told me not to put the reasons why on there. He said I needed to do this because it was a legal requirement and they had to give the letter to the accountant - is this correct?

If I'm going to write a letter, i feel like I should put the reasons for me leaving on there!

Is there any reason why they could be requesting this?

I did this a year ago (and the husband contacted me too, I do wonder if it's the same person but that would be crazy) I wanted to put so much information into the letter but in the end I rose above it and just wrote a very generic 'please be advised that I give immediate notice to cease my employment with XXX on XX/XX/XXXX. I am owed 3 days holiday and trust that a payslip and P45 reflecting this will be forwarded in due course.'

I am glad now I didn't rant and kept it all wholly professional.

I don’t know the answer but god this sounds fishy, I would definitely put the reasons on!

Would be very interested to hear if it’s the same business for both posters too!

I was thinking of writing something like;

"Due to the unprofessional and hostile working environment created by the management, I feel I have no choice but to not return to work."

How does that sound?

It's not a legal requirement how ridiculous. Hope you find something else you love.

He's probably worried you'll sue for constructive dismissal and they could use your letter as evidence.

That sounds good. Are you planning to go down the unfair dismissal route?

Dont just put that it was your choice to leave make sure the letter explicitly states you believe you were forced out.

No, I'm not planning on going down the constructive dismissal route, but I know that my boss can be really spiteful and petty so I'm sure she's planning to screw me over somehow!

I just want to protect myself

The way you protect yourself is by writing a formal letter, not dissimilar to what @QforCucumber wrote.

Then you walk away and have no more contact with them.

Put on your resignation letter why you left and photocopy it as evidence whether you plan to take it further or not. Sounds exactly the same as my former employer, your not in Glasgow are you, that would be crazy

I wouldn't be writing anything until I'd spoken to an employment solicitor. There are some that will give half an hour's free advice over the phone.

Why is your boss's husband calling you? Is it his business too?

You will want to ensure you get all outstanding money and confirmation that you don't owe them anything (laptops / phones etc all returned). Depending on how untrustworthy they are, you might also want confirmation from them that any reference will give your employment dates and state that you were a good employee who left of your own free will. They are worried you will sue them for constructive dismissal, probably not worth it but it might be best to get advice from someone impartial, try calling ACAS.

I agree with everyone else. They are covering their own backs in case you go for constructive dismissal. From what you are saying, reminds me of somewhere I used to work. The woman owned the business and was the boss and her husband was a director and also worked there. She was awful and the staff turnover was huge.

how long did you work there?

You can get free advice from ACAS OP their helpline is really good:

www.acas.org.uk

Helpline: 0300 123 1100

xpost with MRex

It could be to do with constructive dismissal, or it could be so that they have it in writing it was your decision to leave so they're not liable for any severance pay. Personally I'd speak to Citizens Advice before writing the letter, especially as you felt forced to leave because of the behaviour of the boss.

If you aren’t going to ask for a reference, then I’d be saying exactly why I left. If you could bear to think about constructive dismissal if she’s that bad, it might stop some other unfortunate individual having to suffer through it. It is an odd thing to do so I wonder if the PP’s who’ve mentioned it did indeed work for the same person....

I've only worked there just over 6 months, but I really couldn't stay any longer. It's such a toxic environment.

I did a course for work, that my boss paid for. It cost about £400 and although me paying it back if I left has never been discussed, I'm worried that she will withhold part of my outstanding wages because of this.

Can she do this? I haven't signed a contract and nothing about the course has been put in writing

She cannot withhold the course fees unless you were made aware that you would have to repay the costs if you left within a stated period of time. (Or unless it is stated in your employment contract).

I would probably write a letter ' In response to your husband's request, please accept this letter as confirmation that I will not be returning to work due to your unprofessional and hostile behaviour making it untenable for me to continue.'

There is absolutely no legal requirement for you to provide a letter and, if you wish, you are perfectly at liberty to state your reasons.

Why was her husband calling you? That’s pathetic.

I think they want me to write a letter so that they can withhold pay for me not working a notice period.

As I said, I don't have a contract so no idea how much notice I should have given - can money be withheld for this reason?

I'd speak to an employment lawyer as a first step.

If I had to write a letter I'd write something along the lines of 'Due to the untenable working environment created by x, I will not be returning to work'...

They've broken the law by not giving you a contract within 3 months.
They don't have a leg to stand on.

See this as a good starting point,

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/work/

And this
m.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=3977