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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Given notice at work

309 replies

Forgotwhat · 02/06/2023 09:50

My work has given me my notice - 3 months and I’ve been there under two years-so I don’t have a leg to stand on.

I don’t desperately need the money-can I just go? I don’t really want to carry on working for them for another 3 months to hand things tidily over to other team members etc.

Basically I have set up a department and way of working for them, and now mostly the grunt work is done they want stuff taken over by cheaper members of staff (basically I am redundant with no redundancy rights) it’s all fine, I just don’t really want to spend three months training people how to do my job and showing them the tricks of the trade when they’ve decided to end my employment.

can I just say that’s absolutely fine, I don’t need a notice and I am happy to forgo that and leave today? I know if I give notice I have to work it- but this is different the decision to go isn’t mine-so I don’t feel I need to honour it?

OP posts:
NowItsLikeSnowAtTheBeach · 02/06/2023 12:02

Get signed off?

Fink · 02/06/2023 12:03

Something very similar happened to a family member of mine: he was recruited on a permanent contract, and then when his initial project had finished he was made redundant. IIRC, there was no way to shorten the notice period, but he did get a settlement from them because they should have hired him as a contractor but had tried to save money by hiring him as an employee when the intention all along was for him only to do that one project. It would have gone to tribunal, but they settled before that.

AdoraBell · 02/06/2023 12:04

I would start applying for another job, if you want to continue working, take all holiday days left and then have a sever stomach bug so, sorry can’t come in this week/until I stop puking.

HappySonHappyMum · 02/06/2023 12:04

@Forgotwhat Your boss @AuntieJune has arrived! But seriously it's a shitty way to treat somebody. I've had this happen a number of times - they take your expertise and then ask you to help somebody else 'learn' how to do it and then they drop you. It's an awful way to run a business - they show no loyalty to you but still expect to give it in return. I generally do my best but build in areas to my work where you have to be really skilled to be able to complete the task - something way over the head of a junior. It generally goes tits up for them and I watch the fall out.

MumblesParty · 02/06/2023 12:10

Neverinamonthofsundays · 02/06/2023 11:17

Maybe your doctor could sign you off with depression op?

Definitely don’t do this unless you really are depressed.

Campervangirl · 02/06/2023 12:11

Personally I would walk out but I'm an arsehole.
My attitude would be "what're you going to do about it" I'd drop them in the shit without any thought to the consequences.
However, op's are correct, do you need a reference, would they sue you etc.
I'd still walk out and let them do their worst.
I don't advise you to do this 😁

possomblossom · 02/06/2023 12:12

@HappySonHappyMum
Fully agree. I have some long ago experience of this kind of sh*tty behaviour from a company. Turned a full-time job I had inherited into a part-time one, due to my own efficiency and innovation (was studying for a postgrad degree at the time and didn't need full-time money), and was made redundant (just as I was about to give my notice 😁) and told that I wasn't pulling my weight. They had to hire a full-time person to replace me! 😎As it happened, I was earning more doing tuition at uni anyway so the Schadenfreude was strong with that one.

MooMooSharoo · 02/06/2023 12:12

Quveas · 02/06/2023 11:47

I've also recently been told that the two year rule is, in case law, considered to be "two years less two weeks". You would need to have left before this point to be considered a short service employee.

It is two years less one week (statutory notice for anyone uner two years) - not two.

Well there's another thing that my professional HR advisor got wrong then...!

cyncope · 02/06/2023 12:15

I'd just leave.

What's the worst that can happen?

They could write in a reference that you didn't work your notice after they dismissed you. Who cares.

They could sue you for breach of contract? I mean, they are clearly stating they don't need you as they have dismissed you so not sure how they can argue they're actually going to really suffer without you.

If you're worried about just leaving, self-certify off with stress for the next week then call your GP and ask to be signed off.

meatyryvita · 02/06/2023 12:16

OP, how long have you been there exactly? How long ago was your start date?

GladitooktheHighRoad · 02/06/2023 12:16

I’m probably going to be trashed for this but
On the basis they’ve given you notice within the two years

Id make sure I arranged lots of interviews (they don’t necessarily have to exist ) for new jobs on their time. They have to allow that.

Then maybe you could get Covid a few times😉 so there’s a few days off.
Etc.

Its horrible having to work out one months notice but it is going to be hard and very depressing.

In the meantime just ask if you can go early.

willWillSmithsmith · 02/06/2023 12:18

People walk out of jobs all the time, surely there must be some way you can leave early? I suppose it all depends on how much you’d need another job reference.

possomblossom · 02/06/2023 12:19

@TiredCatLady great advice.

Paq · 02/06/2023 12:20

OP is not indentured labour. Everyone can break a contract. They can't show up at your house and drag you into the office. They could take legal action against you for breach of contract (unlikely) and of course your reference would reflect your actions but if that doesn't bother you then go for it!

PupInAPram · 02/06/2023 12:23

Use up any annual leave, go for job interviews and medical appointments, take sick leave if you sneeze once, do a half-arsed job on handing over (you've already said it's not possible to train a junior to do your job, so lean into that). After you leave, sit back with popcorn and enjoy the s**t-show.

willWillSmithsmith · 02/06/2023 12:23

Campervangirl · 02/06/2023 12:11

Personally I would walk out but I'm an arsehole.
My attitude would be "what're you going to do about it" I'd drop them in the shit without any thought to the consequences.
However, op's are correct, do you need a reference, would they sue you etc.
I'd still walk out and let them do their worst.
I don't advise you to do this 😁

Sometimes you just need to be an arsehole 😁 I regret not just getting up and walking out of a job I had when I was younger.

BluebellBlueballs · 02/06/2023 12:33

Rosscameasdoody · 02/06/2023 11:46

A couple of questions OP. Are they dismissing you or making you redundant ? Because I don’t really see how it’s redundancy if they want you to train other members of staff in your job before you go - redundancy refers to the job itself no longer being required, not the person doing it.

Secondly, if you have been with the company less than two years, would your notice period take you over the two years ? If so, you would then have full employment rights and be entitled to statutory redundancy pay.

Do you also know that if you have been with the company less than two years, the normal notice period would only be one week ? It seems to me that the company are trying to dress this up as redundancy when it’s actually not, and the three months notice period is designed to give you enough time train other members of staff and pass on the benefit of your experience before you go. I would take some advice from ACAS to clarify what the company are actually entitled to do under redundancy rules.

It could still be redundancy. Perfectly acceptable within the law to 'cut a job up ' and give those duties to others in a different job as an add on. Happens all the time.

innerspace · 02/06/2023 12:34

I think this is a hill I’d die on. I’d leave.

Catspyjamas17 · 02/06/2023 12:36

First of all I'd ask to leave in two weeks with a quick handover and go on paid gardening leave as now you have to look for another job. They can't have it both ways - either your role is redundant or it isn't. If other staff require detailed training to take over your role then your role isn't redundant.

If you can't agree this, take all annual leave due in the period and say that you don't have time to train staff because now you have to look for a new job. Write a good but not detailed handover document.

Anyport · 02/06/2023 12:36

I would be carefully reading my job description and sticking to the letter. Good will is immediately withdrawn.

MaterialGirl1978 · 02/06/2023 12:38

If we sense that a leaver is going to be toxic, upset the team, we pay them 3 months to exit them asap without fuss. You can try that to see if you can get paid to leave - act difficult.

innerspace · 02/06/2023 12:41

MaterialGirl1978 · 02/06/2023 12:38

If we sense that a leaver is going to be toxic, upset the team, we pay them 3 months to exit them asap without fuss. You can try that to see if you can get paid to leave - act difficult.

But they NEED op though..sounds like they’d be in trouble if she refused to train her cheaper replacement. They are not going to let her go.

TortolaParadise · 02/06/2023 12:47

CleanCar · 02/06/2023 10:19

The reality is, were all just a number on a spreadsheet. They don’t care about you/your circumstances etc. its hard not feeling bitter about these things. Onwards and upwards 😊

Very true. This is why I always say the less personal stuff you share at work the better. They don't care! Fake smiles...

Rosscameasdoody · 02/06/2023 12:48

TiredCatLady · 02/06/2023 11:59

Go to ACAS.

I don’t know what reasoning they’ve given you for making you redundant but, as they’re expecting you to train other people to do your job, if it’s “your role no longer exists” then they are breaking the law.

Get everything in writing, take copies of all emails and communications with them. Work to rule in the interim (only your contracted hours, only your specific duties) and line up as many interviews as you can. If they’re making you redundant then they can’t refuse you time off to attend them.

This was my point upthread a little. Essential tasks can be redistributed among other staff if the company need to downsize, but if there is a need for the OP to train others extensively over three months then to my mind the role still exists. I agree that some advice from ACAS or a solicitor versed in employment law is wise, to see whether the employer is trying to manipulate redundancy rules to suit the situation - for example why give three months notice when the OP has been employed for less than two years, and one weeks’ notice would be sufficient ?

Tarantella6 · 02/06/2023 12:49

You can't force someone to go to work. You can't turn up to their house and physically drive them to the office.

I think I'd go for dialling it in and effectively getting 3 months money for nothing. But if you want to leave, all they can really do is not pay you. They may be able to sue for breach of contract but it seems unlikely to be worth their while.