I walked out on my job tonight!

[MegaMoon]

Literally that. I can't believe it really. Half way through my shift I literally walked out. Phoned my supervisor to explain why. I was so angry at my colleagues I just couldn't stay so I walked out. Phoned my supervisor driving home and explained everything. She said she'd speak to my colleagues and call me on Monday. But as far as I'm concerned now, especially after tonight, I can't go back. I can't work with them anymore. Especially after bloody walking out and complaining to our supervisor about them. If I go back, it'll just be ten times worse. I can't. But I need a job. Can't get my head around it.

I think you did the right thing OP. And I think you already know that you did, and that you will wake up tomorrow being certain that you did. It was an "ENOUGH!!" moment and it sounds like both your body and mind needed to do it. Don't beat yourself up or consider going back - it's done and that ship has sailed. Onwards and upwards.

Obviously on a practical level being without a job is not optimal. Probably don't ever do this again but there are other jobs and you sound so well, and strong, that I'm sure you will find something else soon! Your new attitude (meaning respecting yourself and others, and holding both yourself and others to a basic standard) is the right one and I wish you well for the future

Bit of an overreaction if you haven't ever raised the issue. It's all very well to say that management is crap, but you need to at least give them a chance to resolve any issues.

I agree that it may be difficult to go back after this, especially if you walked out before the end of your shift. Might be time to look for another job. In the meantime, it would be good to work on your assertiveness skills so that you are able to address any frustrations in a timely and appropriate manner.

@lunalucie

I think I remember your original thread, are you a cleaner and working two locations due to Covid or something along those lines?

Cleaner yes, gave my colleague a lift etc.

@Hueandcry

Have you not left yourself open to disciplinary action for walking out mid shift?

Probably yes.

@Hueandcry

Have you not left yourself open to disciplinary action for walking out mid shift?

Well only if you go back and it sounds awful so I wouldn’t. Op you don’t need that shit , if management are rubbish and it’s affecting your health to walk out it must be bad .

Staff can't just take it upon themselves to walk out when a problem they've never reported gets too much.

Exactly this.

OP I've a lot of sympathy for you working in a difficult situation - but this wasn't the right way & was really unprofessional.

I hope you can learn from it & maybe find a way to manage similar situations in the next job.

Hope you are ok for now.

Obviously I realised that was a very real possibility when I made the decision to walk mid shift.

That was a very reckless thing to do if you need a job, not to mention completely inappropriate given you've never raised the issue with management before.

And really, all your colleagues were doing work which they presumably deemed necessary and it was just you who deemed their work unnecessary? Sounds odd.

It does sound like you've had a tantrum and chucked your toys out of the pram. Hope you can find something else you can stick at.

@hobbyiscodefordogging

That was a very reckless thing to do if you need a job, not to mention completely inappropriate given you've never raised the issue with management before.

And really, all your colleagues were doing work which they presumably deemed necessary and it was just you who deemed their work unnecessary? Sounds odd.

It does sound like you've had a tantrum and chucked your toys out of the pram. Hope you can find something else you can stick at.

Well, there's only three of us. The two of them and me. The two of them regularly take it upon themselves to do completely unnecessary things, pottering about, making themselves look busy while I do all the work that actually needs doing. But yes, it was reckless and incredibly unprofessional of me to walk out. Completely unlike me.

If your mental health is suffering you’ve done the right thing.

TBH it sounds as though you are unwell and need to be signed off again.

Hardly surprising with the shot they are pulling.

You've reacted in temper, and the only person who comes out of it looking bad is yourself.

If management aren't disciplining with your colleagues, then there isn't any issue other than you and your perceived vision of what you should be doing.

It's done now, I would personally send an email in apologising and see if they ask you back again. And if they do, stop focusing on what your colleagues are doing, you do your allocation of the work and if they need to then do unpaid overtime, that's on them.

Stay angry, it's done now. Explain calmly that they are delaying you by not doing their jobs and you have had enough. You want assurances that management will consider your complaint. Explain that you did not want it to come to this and that it has caused you considerable stress causing you to walk out. Take any disciplinary action but try to stay assertive. I hope it works out for you.

I've done this before in very similar circumstances. Don't look back or give it another moment of your time. You made the right decision. Get home, get a bath, a drink and chill tonight. If you've got kids, get on the job search when they go to bed tomorrow night. Update your CV and get applying. There isn't a lot of jobs out there at the moment, but a good number in my area at least are for cleaning positions. Good luck xxx

@Hueandcry

Have you not left yourself open to disciplinary action for walking out mid shift?

Very few employers would bother, especially as OP has no plans to go back.

OP, I think you did the right thing, though obviously it could have been handled better. When I left my last job, I handed in my months notice along with a sick note and my keys. I never went back and nobody called me or gave a shiny shite about me once I'd gone.

My manager who claimed to be "on my side" never once rang during my notice or on my final day to do an exit interview (company policy as I was management) - I suspect he did a false one to cover up the complaints I had.

Workplaces very rarely give a shit about your mental wellbeing or about you in general, in my experience. Everyone is easily replaced.

I hope you're okay

Do you think your AD dosage is right? If it's off, it could be affecting you.

I think you did the right thing. When management ring you I'd tell them that things need to change - explain fully what the issue is, tell them you aren't willing to work unpaid overtime because the other two aren't pulling their weight and that tasks either need to be individually assigned or management need to be supervising. I'd apologize for walking our and acknowledge that it was not the best course of action, but better than arguing with colleagues on site. I'd also make clear that I have I have other work to get to so don't have the luxury of working slowly. If there has been any behaviour that constitutes bullying, make sure you make management aware.
How did they get the work done before you joined? Surely it's in no one's interest to take too long and not be getting paid.

Don't panic. I had the exact same thing happen to me in a previous job. 3 of us in the office, the other 2 took it upon themselves to make my life hell for no apparent reason. Culminated in one locking themselves in the office with me and screaming at me. I walked out straight away. Messaged my boss to say sorry, I can't work there anymore due to their behaviour. They called me back and said please come in early on Monday and we will sort it all out. Long and the short of it was both colleagues got fired and I got a promotion!

Honestly if you are a cleaner you will always get a job. Life is too short for this shit.

OP you seem to be getting some very unhelpful and judgemental comments but I say good on you! Life is too short to work with knob heads - you’ll find something else. Hold your head up high and don’t look back. People put up with far too much shit at work these days and it’s good to show your kids you can change things and that you have self worth.Good luck.

What were they doing that wasn't necessary?

It will be ok

I admire your balls.

And you dont have to go to work on Monday!

I'm really shocked at the posts implying OP is "unwell"/on the wrong dose/medication, etc, just because she walked out mid-shift! The colleagues sound insufferable and most of us have reached a point in our lives where we simply think "enough is enough, I'm not putting up with this shit any longer". No reason to question OP's sanity!

Honestly if you are a cleaner you will always get a job. Life is too short for this shit.

^ Agree with this.

Hope you're OK OP

@ClarkeGriffin

What were they doing that wasn't necessary?

For example they were working on an area that was done yesterday and hasn't been used today. Therefore, it was an unnecessary waste of time.

OP, if this is out of character then I can only say tonight was the final straw for you and you snapped. This does happen - don’t beat yourself up as it can’t be undone now.

What would you like to happen next?