I don't know what to do about work

[Sheselectric22]

Hi all,

I started a new job 2 months ago. I was in a similar role before but decided to join a new company who offered better terms and money. I was in my previous company a long time and had great feedback and a good reputation.

In this new job things have gone wrong. My line manager is stressed and shouts at me (and sometimes other staff). The expectations are impossible. I'm expected to work overtime, which I'm used to doing but the amount that is expected is in my opinion unreasonable and has meant I have been unable to look after my dc. There is a clique in the office who get favoured by managers. Staff are rude to one another and I have witnessed colleagues shouting at other employees. They are ridiculously short staffed. People leave after a couple of weeks and the turnover of staff is crazy. The whole environment is toxic.

I have handed my notice in and I do have another job back at my old place. When I contacted them they were really happy and offered me a job there and then. They are more than happy that I can do this job easily.

No one is communicating with me at my current job and people are simply rude to me. People talk over me and when I try ask a question they ignore me. It's really hard to drag myself in day after day and for the first time in my who working life, I have cried on my way to work.

I have been advised to grit my teeth and make it through my notice but I feel like I'm cracking up. Has anyone just left somewhere during their notice? I'm contemplating just walking out but I have never done this and don't want to get a bad reputation.

I would renegotiate my notice period, say to the end of the week - state you will not be able to work past this point.

Alternatively, I would sign off as sick for the remainder of the notice period, you have a job and don't need a reference.

Have you got savings to tide you over? Will they likely withhold pay?

how long is your notice period? Could you take accrued holiday? If not, see if you can get signed off sick due to stress?

Try and grit your teeth if you can but it sounds like a really awful place to work. How long is your notice period? If you have an unconditional job offer and a start date back at your old place of work you could negotiate with your current employer for a shorter notice period.

Thank you. Yes they will withhold pay as I have been told they have done this to previous employees.

I have emailed senior management so I will see what they say in terms of leaving early.
My new (old) job said I can start as soon as I want so I'd not have too much of a gap in pay.

When I spoke to management about leaving they knew themselves how toxic it is here and didn't disagree.

It's really affecting my mental health.

Well done for getting away.I was in a similar situation and offered repeatedly to go back but my hours are much easier.
Depending how long your notice is.
I've walked out and never looked back and no one cared.
Or go sick which isn't ideal.
Or tough it out knowing you get to walk away soon.Good luck.

With the withholding of pay, you can claim via small claims court if you're in England. It's pretty straightforward to do yourself, citizens advice or acas can help with any specifics.

Well done for getting out before it shreds your mental health.

If management know how bad it is will they agree to let you go earlier? Worth asking the question. Alternatively if they won't be reasonable and let you leave at an earlier date could you self certify as sick? Would they pay you any sick pay? Alternatively you could walk out and not go back but I would keep this as a last resort.

Can you at least start working to rule by not doing overtime, walking away if someone shouts at you, and escalating questions right the way to top management if people refuse to answer?

Go straight to HR, report everything you said here and ask them if it would be possible to not work your notice period as it is affecting your mental health. Or if they can redeploy you to a different role for the remainder of your notice period. They have duty of care to the employees. Put everything in writing.
Also, if you are still on probation, you may not be legally required to work your notice. Speak to ACAS if unsure.

Thanks everyone.

Still not heard from senior management even though one has just been on a group meeting with me so they will have seen their emails. I'm sure they are busy.
My manager is ignoring me. I have already emailed a handover with all the info on about what work is outstanding and with meeting dates of meetings I had booked in that will now need covering.

There is an atmosphere of panic and stress in the office. It's a bit bonkers to watch.

I have a month left on my notice. I don't have a probation period and I don't get sick pay.
I'm just getting through the day today and il see what happens tomorrow. It's difficult to start any new tasks or projects because I don't know how long il be here or who will take over. Staff keep asking me to do stuff and take over but I have tried to explain they need to speak to management about who to hand it to as I'm leaving. One colleague refused to do a task she had been assigned and dumped it in my desk, she told me she is sick with stress and then walked out to do something else. I rang her to check if she's ok and ask if she is coming back to do her work but she said she's now doing another task and I will have to cover the task she dumped on me ! Management saw all this and just did a sorry face.

You’ve only worked there 2 months, surely you’re notice period is only a week under English law (if you’re in England) employment under 2 years is only a weeks notice. if your contract says more I don’t think it can be enforceable as English law overrides this. Worth checking this out as I may be mistaken.

Thank you il have a look at that

I definitely wouldn't be doing work that some charming person has dumped on your desk because they are "stressed." If you know you are leaving soon then what's the worst that can happen if you work to rule and ignore any work that colleagues are trying to foist on you. In another month this won't be your problem anymore. Dump it back on her desk or just leave it there and ignore it. You've asked to leave earlier and you won't need them for a reference. If you're forced to work your full notice period they cant then expect you to spend that time being the office skivvy.

You've been there 2 months, no way is your notice period a month. What does
It explicitly say in your contract?

Start back at your old place on Monday and walk out of that place now. It sounds like it's run by a bunch of tantrumming toddlers. Incredibly unprofessional. You owe them nothing. You don't need to worry about a reference. Just go.

The law doesn't say your employer can't require a month's notice. There is however a statutory right to a minimum period of notice. That's a floor not a ceiling.

Your contract will specify the notice you or your employer must give to terminate the contract. That is what prevails, unless it is below the statutory minimum, which it isn't in your case. You are entitled by law to a written statement that sets out the notice period and key points of the contract.

Best not take on trust any advice posted here as some of it will be misleading or downright wrong. Speak to ACAS if you need advice or clarification of your rights. It's a free and confidential service.