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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Can they do this to me during my notice period?

141 replies

Notcool1984 · 24/02/2020 08:48

After many years of toxic work atmosphere (Male toxic environment / workplace bullying etc) I managed to get a new job. Unfortunately there is a three month notice period in my current role. I handed my notice in one month ago. It has been awful since, with my hours being changed to be less flexible (I’m single parent) - my exact hours are not in my contract, lots of passive aggressive emails about my work (which has never been a problem - in fact I got highest rating in my personal development review) and lots of whispering / ignoring me etc and leaving me out of all meetings. Now I’ve just had a call from the boss to say for the remainder of my notice period they are going to get me to the most junior role in the workplace (I’m currently in middle management). I’m so upset, can they do this? I still have around seven weeks notice period to go.

OP posts:
BusterMove · 24/02/2020 12:07

If they are paying you the same wage, I would smile, agree and do the absolute bare minimum you can get away with for the next seven weeks.

Hope the new job is better.

Lifechangingtimesahead · 24/02/2020 12:10

Can you imagine how difficult it is to keep smiling and turning up every day when you know how awful it is. It's a very stressful situation to be in.

SandrasAnnoyingFriend · 24/02/2020 12:21

I would suggest making a subject access request for all the data they hold on you. It may turn up some discussions around the demotion of your role that could prove very useful.
Alternatively they may decide to put you on gardening leave in return for withdrawing the request if they believe there is anything harmful that may be uncovered.

Dreamprincess · 24/02/2020 12:24

Places where I have worked in the City of London nearly always had a three month notice period and also moved anyone with any client contact away from that role as soon as they advised their intention to leave. Generally speaking the leaver would be given non-essential work for the notice period and denied access to any confidential or sensitive information.

Those on the tier above would be asked to clear their desks immediately and sent on gardening leave for three months or more. Non disclosure agreement would be signed. Even if you had absolute loyalty to your old company, it makes sense that once you have decided to leave, most companies will err on the side of caution.

JustInCaseCakeHappens · 24/02/2020 12:28

It has much less to do with the location than the actual job... even in the city notice periods vary from 1 to 6 months +, depends on the role.
Garden leave is very common too, that's true, but again, depending on your role. And that applies throughout the country, it has nothing to do with the city.

Ghostontoast · 24/02/2020 12:29

Is it just your boss that’s the shit and is implementing these things off his own bat or is it also the layer of management above?

Have you told any of your nice Co-workers (if there are any) the shit tricks that management are pulling?

Any of these changes in writing/email or is it just verbal from your boss?

Can you send a round-robin email to ask is this the new procedure to change hours and demote after handing notice in?

Can you stay at home with suspected Corona virus?

Cottagepieandpeas · 24/02/2020 12:32

The best advice is to take the advice of your union.

Don't write asking for explanations unless the union agrees - it can make it really complicated if you and the union are taking different approaches.

They (Union) may have come across similar in your workplace and may be building a bigger case, in which case they will be pleased to have co-operation from you (while also feeling for you having to go through this experience).

Good luck.

GabsAlot · 24/02/2020 12:34

If they dont want her to have confidential files or clients they could just give her gardening leave not demote her to a trainee job

Id go ahead with the grievance they shouldnt be allowed to get away with that and need pulling up

MzHz · 24/02/2020 12:39

I’m so glad the union is on it! The new information about the men is VERY significant I think!

Stay strong lovely! They won’t beat you!

Sturmundcalm · 24/02/2020 12:52

i would agree with making a subject access request at the same time (but separately) as asking about the discrepancy in approach between you and the two male employees.

BarbedBloom · 24/02/2020 13:23

I would also suggest posting on the Employment issues board about your hours. I am also thinking that once you have worked certain hours for a period of time, they become part of your contract. There are some experts on there who may be able to advise further.

neverdoingthatagain100 · 24/02/2020 13:35

You have done so well to get a new job, the end is in sight.
Well done for speaking to the union. Keep following their advice.
You must see this through don't give work any reason to whisper/whinge to your new employer.
You must take the high road.
Do your jobs at work as best you can and keep a diary of everything
Do not go sick
Do a count down in your mind and focus on your new job,
You can do it!!

ScarJo · 24/02/2020 13:50

If they demote you without reason you can resign claiming constructive dismissal. I'm an HR advisor if you need any help let me know.

AnotherEmma · 24/02/2020 13:51

She's already resigned!
Great HR advisor 🙄

DeNiroDeFaro · 24/02/2020 13:52

you are not allowed to give bad references anymore -those days are long gone! The only thing you are allowed to say in a reference now is the confirmation of and length of employment. Alternately, no reference at all.

Complete bollocks. Please don't give this advice @Beau20

Xenia · 24/02/2020 13:57

That is probably the internal rules of loads of companies actually to be fair to the poster as companies are so worried about being sued over a reference (although the way it was stated as if it were illegal to tell the truth in a reference is wrong).

SudokuQueen · 24/02/2020 14:11

That is probably the internal rules of loads of companies actually to be fair to the poster as companies are so worried about being sued over a reference (although the way it was stated as if it were illegal to tell the truth in a reference is wrong).

It is for big companies. My last company wouldn't even give a reference direct from your manager, it had to come from hr. Your manager could only give a personal reference. They don't want the legal issues of someone holding a grudge and saying something without much or any proof. The ex employee could easily sue them otherwise and very likely win.

I guess smaller companies may still give more details, but they probably shouldnt for their own sakes.

IntermittentParps · 24/02/2020 14:15

will ask for written explanation why male colleagues getting to do same job.
Definitely do that.

Or, and I'd be tempted to go this way, ask for a meeting with your manager and an HR person and just say 'You clearly don't want me here any more, so shall we come to an agreement on gardening leave?' You've got nothing much to lose.

Dreamprincess · 24/02/2020 14:20

My last company wouldn't even give a reference direct from your manager, it had to come from hr.

I used to naively think that HR was there to support employees. It took a very nasty episode for me to realise they are to look after the company's interests. Duplicitous.

catanddogmake6 · 24/02/2020 14:34

In respect of references, following the Oxfam scandal certain regulators in “caring” professions have said that it is no longer acceptable to “pass on” problems. Some organisations are going back to giving substantive references and it may be that this becomes a wider trend. As people have said - as long as it’s accurate you can give more detail.

daisychain01 · 24/02/2020 15:36

Places where I have worked in the City of London...

It is far more likely that the companies you work for in the City will have formalised procedures, with everyone be they Male or Female being treated the same. Thereby they comply with the Equality Act (2010).

The more formalised and standard the procedures, the less people will arbitrarily choose to make it up as they go along and worse still, deliberately decide to target their grudge against some poor employee (invariably women). As the OP has already stated, it's a toxic Male-centric environment so that's playing out here.

They are an unprofessional shower of idiots who don't have a clue about how to off-board staff with dignity and respect. One day they will join the dots and realise why they're losing all their staff!

Original poster
Notcool1984 · 24/02/2020 16:18

@neverdoingthatagain100 that is a really positive pep talk thanks.

I’m finding it hard to be here and around a few of these people because of the way they have treated me in the past and now. I’m really looking forward to my new job so there is that to cling to.

I’m not going to get signed off with stress though. I don’t want to risk my new job in any way.

OP posts:
Original poster
Notcool1984 · 24/02/2020 16:19

They are an unprofessional shower of idiots who don't have a clue about how to off-board staff with dignity and respect. One day they will join the dots and realise why they're losing all their staff

Yes they are!!!! And I know other people, great people, who have left the company because of this

OP posts:
JustInCaseCakeHappens · 24/02/2020 16:26

I used to naively think that HR was there to support employees. It took a very nasty episode for me to realise they are to look after the company's interests.

not sure why it's such a surprise. Who is paying their salaries in the first place? HR is there to make sure things are legal, support the company as a whole, not someone who hasn't got the best interest of the business in the first place.

Original poster
Notcool1984 · 24/02/2020 17:06

HR also protects bosses over staff at my work. But union has a better reputation

OP posts:
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