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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Leaving job and not working notice period

152 replies

BlueLagoon5 · 10/03/2023 10:07

Posting for traffic as I'm hoping someone can help me on this.

I started a new job on Monday and I don't like it there already. The job role is completely different to what I was told/what was advertised. The training has been non existent and I've been left on my own since yesterday as the manager and another colleague are off, whilst the other is working from home due to the weather. I've got emails/phone calls coming in and have no idea what I'm doing. The manager isn't particularly very nice either. I've already witnessed her snap and shout at another colleague (on my second day and third day) and apparently this is not unusual. It's making me anxious, like I'm too scared to ask a question in case she snaps at me. She hasn't yet but I'm sure it's only because it's my first week. It is only a temporary 12 month cover role any way.

My plan is to email her tonight when I get home with my resignation/one weeks notice, but I really really don't want to go back next week. In the contract it states that the company can withhold wages if the employee doesn't work their notice period and the company suffers a financial loss as a result - if they have to pay someone else to cover their duties etc. If I was to phone in sick on Monday and just drag it out for the entire week, would that still stand? I'm hoping they just mean when someone walks out.

I have enough savings to tie me over until I find something else but it would be helpful to be paid for the work that I've done this week (around £500 I think), plus I've spent money on travel.

Any advice would be appreciated.
TIA

OP posts:
ObamaLlamas · 10/03/2023 10:09

YABU you've literally just started! I would never behave this way. Also you're too 'scared' to ask her questions in case she snaps?? Where is your resilience.

Original poster
BlueLagoon5 · 10/03/2023 10:16

Thank you for your opinion @ObamaLlamas

Did I ask if I was unreasonable for leaving? Nope.

Yes I'm too scared to ask her a question because she has literally snapped and shouted at all the other staff members for asking a question or for some help with a task. I'm sure my time will come. She has even made nasty comments towards a colleague who is pregnant. She is the HR manager and it is clear that she is a bully. I can see that already and it is only my first week. It is only a small office and they have an extremely high turn over due to this manager. You might want to work in a place like that, but I certainly don't. My happiness and mental health is more important to me, and I'm sorry if that offends you.

OP posts:
Original poster
BlueLagoon5 · 10/03/2023 10:19

Just to be clear - even if the manager wasn't a bully, I wouldn't stay any way. The job role isn't what I signed up for.

OP posts:
ObamaLlamas · 10/03/2023 10:20

You chose to post in AIBU therefore you'll get opinions on all parts of your post not just your specific question. You've obviously already made your mind up so just message her and say I wish to leave with immediate effect and if you're brave explain why and why you won't be working your notice. Then I guess just except some backlash if you ever need a reference.

DoulaBriaAI · 10/03/2023 10:21

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Hoppinggreen · 10/03/2023 10:24

Just because someone else is unprofessional it doesn’t mean you should be.
Resign but offer to work your notice, they will probably say no but if not you will have to put your big girl pants on and go in. It might actually be fun because none of the shit going on can affect you any more - if you get shouted at just say you refuse to be spoken to like that and walk away

Original poster
BlueLagoon5 · 10/03/2023 10:26

I'm more than happy to resign with immediate effect, but as I explained in my original post the contract states that the company can withhold wages if the employee doesn't work their notice period and the company suffers a financial loss as a result. I was wondering if I phoned in sick next week would that still stand. I don't need a reference from her. I was in my previous role for 5 years, so they will provide one.

OP posts:
flipent · 10/03/2023 10:28

It's a pretty standard contract clause, but the employer would have to prove that you lost them money by leaving - which after such a short period of time would be difficult and I would be surprised if they bothered.
I'd say, based on what you've said, just leave and they will have to figure it out.

YellowAndGreenToBeSeen · 10/03/2023 10:29

Work your notice - you won’t get shouted at if you keep your head down and just coast it and if you do, so what; you’re leaving!

Be professional and consider there may be those in the team who know your next employer.

JackiePlace · 10/03/2023 10:30

Don't phone in sick — that's an abuse of the sick day rules.

Brefugee · 10/03/2023 10:33

people fought long and hard for paid sick days - don't abuse it, OP.

Resign and pull on your big girl pants and go in next week. Don't react, don't provoke manager to shouting at you - and if she does? Say "don't shout at me like that, i am going for a break now" and leave that space for a cup of tea or a smoke.

You will encounter shit bosses and colleagues for your entire working life. If you let them turn you into a quivering wreck it will ruin your life. Be professional.

Original poster
BlueLagoon5 · 10/03/2023 10:33

I won't be going in. I've made up my mind about that. I've already been invited to a couple of interviews next week, that I won't be able to attend if I have to work. I'm prioritising them as I won't be staying with this company any way.

@YellowAndGreenToBeSeen I know what you're saying, but it's really difficult to keep my head down when I have no idea what I'm doing, how to respond to queries etc. I still need a lot of training.

OP posts:
Original poster
BlueLagoon5 · 10/03/2023 10:35

I won't be paid if I phone in sick next week FYI.

OP posts:
Brefugee · 10/03/2023 10:35

If you aren't going in you have to take the financial hit then. It is hugely unreasonable, not to say unprofessional of you to not work your notice.

Stop being passive. Resign, "work" your notice (present in body, ignore the shit) and hold your head up high.

Brefugee · 10/03/2023 10:35

I won't be paid if I phone in sick next week FYI.

but don't call in sick. That's quite pathetic, tbh.

Original poster
BlueLagoon5 · 10/03/2023 10:36

I just want to know if I will be paid for the work done this week, if I hand my notice in tonight and phone in sick next week to cover the notice period. If anyone can advice that would be great. Thanks

OP posts:
Viviennemary · 10/03/2023 10:36

They would usually pay you for the hours worked. Depends on your financial situation what you do. The company doesn't seem very supportive. In a way I think it would be worse to go off sick then leave. If you don't need a reference then I'd be tempted not to work the notice.

MrsDanversGlidesAgain · 10/03/2023 10:37

Aren't you on probation? check your contract but the statutory minimum notice is one week.

Original poster
BlueLagoon5 · 10/03/2023 10:38

@Viviennemary yes I will be resigning, but phoning in sick to cover the notice period rather than actually working it, if that makes sense. Sorry if I'm not explaining myself properly. The contract has confused me, as I don't know if they just mean when someone actually walks out.

OP posts:
MrsDanversGlidesAgain · 10/03/2023 10:39

Don't call in sick, that's just handing them an excuse. Hand in your notice, grit your teeth and tell yourself you're out of there in five/four/three/two/one day's time.

Original poster
BlueLagoon5 · 10/03/2023 10:39

@MrsDanversGlidesAgain yes it's just 1 week, but I don't want to work the notice period and I don't know if they will pay me for the work I've done this week if I just leave.

OP posts:
Frabbits · 10/03/2023 10:40

You should be paid for the work you have already done but I would strongly advise you to behave like a grown-up and either work a proper notice period or just straight up tell them you won't be coming in.

Don't phone in sick, it will be obvious what you are doing and it never is a good idea to burn bridges. You don't know if you will come across these people again.

Brefugee · 10/03/2023 10:41

act like a grown up who signed a contract, OP.

Original poster
BlueLagoon5 · 10/03/2023 10:42

@Frabbits I have interviews booked in next week that I won't be able to attend if I have to work so I need the time off.

OP posts:
MrsDanversGlidesAgain · 10/03/2023 10:42

What @Frabbits and @Brefugee said. Resign and get on with working your notice.