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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To leave my job with one week notice

64 replies

Candle1000 · 23/09/2019 20:23

I have been at my job for just under 6 months and am still in the probation period, I’ve read my contract and I only have to give one weeks notice, which I did today as I have a new job . The reason I’m leaving is because there has been an affair going on between the boss and the woman I work with ( very small company only 6 of us) this has been brought into the work place , they have involved me ( one of the pair had another affair behind the others back , told me about it, I had to pretend I knew nothing about it, then that person (boss) found out and quizzed me , anyway it’s been intolerable.

The person that had another affair behind the bosses back was asked to leave and goes this week. Me resigning leaves them up the creek and they have said I have to give 2 weeks notice. My new company wants me to start on Monday along with another new person and I would like to start on the same day as they are.
AIBU to not work 2 weeks notice as they are asking?

OP posts:
TheAlternativeTentacle · 23/09/2019 20:25

No, if they wanted you to give 2 weeks it would be in your contract.

CloudsCanLookLikeSheep · 23/09/2019 20:27

Do what you want so long as it fulfils your contractual obligations.

You owe them nothing.

Original poster
Candle1000 · 23/09/2019 20:27

They are saying that it is in my contract, I’m taking my copy in tomorrow to show them, I think they haven’t realised I’m still on probation.

OP posts:
Ihatemyseleffordoingthis · 23/09/2019 20:28

YANBU
are you relying on them for a reference though?

WhyBirdStop · 23/09/2019 20:29

If you've already got a new job just don't go back after the one week. You've fulfilled contractual obligations. You could also day what you've said here. I'd like to see them take that further legally.

Orchidflower1 · 23/09/2019 20:30

Nyp - you’ve given the notice you were required too. If you boss had spent less time putting it about and more time checking contract he’d know that!

Babysharkisanearworm · 23/09/2019 20:30

The only reason you are not extending goodwill is the behaviour of your boss who is now reaping what he has sown.
Your contract says 1 week so 1 week it is.

wispywoo · 23/09/2019 20:31

You are only obliged to work the notice period stated in your contract. They can ask you to work longer but you are not obliged to. Take your contract in and show them the relevant part.

GinAndBubbles · 23/09/2019 20:32

Without seeing your contract / employee handbook wording, I just want to let you know that unless it states you must pass a test or assessment etc., then passing probation is assumed once you’ve been there for the period of time, you don’t need it in writing.

Most contracts have 1 week notice during probation, then 4 - 12 weeks depending on length of service. So if your probation is 6 months and you’ve been there longer than that, you’ve automatically passed. Now it might not be morally right, but they might not be aware of this, and may believe you need it in writing to say you’ve passed.

Sounds like a crappy place to work, so totally get why you’re leaving and wish you all the very best in the new role!x

Original poster
Candle1000 · 23/09/2019 20:35

I have told the new company that my present employer is not happy with me leaving and they understand that I’m in an awkward situation.

OP posts:
billy1966 · 23/09/2019 20:36

You owe them absolutely nothing more than the bare minimum of your contract.

It sounds like a dreadful situation to find yourself working in.

Good luck with your new job.💐

Smelborp · 23/09/2019 20:36

Candle has been there just less than 6 months though, so probation period may stay apply.

It sounds like their unprofessionalism has led to this and I’d let them know that. I would work exactly the amount you need to and no more.

GinAndBubbles · 23/09/2019 20:39

Ok so you’ve got a few options...

Assume current employer doesn’t realise you’ve passed probation (you can ‘play dumb’ and say you didn’t realise), and hope they honour 1 week notice. If they do, great. If not, they could sue you for breach of contract but that is HIGHLY unlikely, they’ll probably just not give you a reference.

You could agree to the 2 weeks notice as this appears they don’t realise you’ve passed probation, and would then ‘keep them sweet’.

You tell them/they realise you’ve passed and are in 4 weeks (assuming this is what your contract says).

Good luck!

Original poster
Candle1000 · 23/09/2019 20:40

This is my contract

To leave my job with one week notice
To leave my job with one week notice
OP posts:
GinAndBubbles · 23/09/2019 20:42

Sorry yes, I’m taking too long to type and missing new messages :)

Wanted to point out the probation aspect in case you fall into it. Statutory and contractual notices are different, unless your contract says otherwise, if you have definitely been there less than your probation period, 1 week notice and zero obligation to do longer (don’t worry about bad references etc, that won’t be an issue!).

Sod them, they sound like right pain in the arses!

GinAndBubbles · 23/09/2019 20:43

So long as the day you handed in your notice is less than 6 months since you started, 1 week then off to pastures new :)

Sorry for the extra detail, teach me to read things properly! Best of luck!

Original poster
Candle1000 · 23/09/2019 20:45

I started on 10/4 so just within the probation period.

OP posts:
Original poster
Candle1000 · 23/09/2019 20:54

I just feel guilty for landing them in a mess , they will literally have no one to do the work.

OP posts:
Rachelover60 · 23/09/2019 20:55

Just start your new job next week and think no more about it. Good luck.

Fleetheart · 23/09/2019 20:58

They should have considered that before letting all those shenanigans go on!

rickandmorts · 23/09/2019 20:58

Nah don't feel guilty they sound like arseholes. It sounds like you've already got a reference/ don't need one if you're starting next week so I'd go, you're right you don't want to be starting a week later than the other newbie. Good luck!

MrsMozartMkII · 23/09/2019 21:00

They've landed themselves.

Not your issue.

Mammyloveswine · 23/09/2019 21:02

Urgh I had this in a job too... my boss was a bitch and argued I had to give a months notice!

Her face when I produced my contract!

Original poster
Candle1000 · 23/09/2019 21:06

They’re pissed off with me for leaving, let alone at such short notice. I hate people thinking badly about me. My boss said he has seen it coming so maybe he should have read the contract before now.

OP posts:
WineIsMyMainVice · 23/09/2019 21:12

If your contract just states a week, that is what you should work.
Make sure that they pay you any holiday pay that you’ve accrued but not taken.
Good luck in your new job.