AIBU if I've resigned they can't make me go?

[Choupelle]

Any HR people around?

I'm meeting with my line manager on Tues to tell him I'm leaving. Ideally I'd like to leave in March but could go in February if needed.

My plan was to speak to him on Tues and then put in my resignation with my leaving date. I'm only required to give 4 weeks notice but in reality didn't want to dump and run. So trying to be reasonable.

I'm supposed to go to a work conference later in January which I really don't want to go. It's cheesy pom-pom waving for a company that's failing its targets and seems to have its head in the sand. It would be a waste of money for them as its basically a networking/motivational event.

Basically if I've resigned, can they make me go?

Are there any levers HR could pull to actually make me go?

If I say no, what's the worst that could happen?

I don't need a reference as I'm basically giving up work for semi retirement and I have others who could give me a reference if needed (but hopefully never again!).

I don't want to fall out with my line manager as I've enjoyed working with him and I'd like to leave on good terms, but I'm not interested in being away from home for a week either.

I think the decision you have made to have a discussion with your manager is the best one. Liked the expression 'pom-pom waving'!

It's just an internal company event so no representing.

Just the annual get together to shake the pom-poms, talk about how much they want you to sell and get pissed in the bar.

This is what I mean about it being disingenuous. They have people whose job it is to spend ages planning this event, to waste thousands and thousands of pounds when they're not meeting their targets and have overspent on acquisitions. To pump up the noise to a crowd which will literally be decimated in a few months. It could easily be run remotely but they want the piss up in the bar and to give out awards for not meeting targets. Madness!

Most people are already going, except those on leave. So no one to nominate to go.

Tell them you're selflessly volunteering to stay behind and hold the fort while everyone else goes off on their jolly.

I am baffled that you are even worried that you might be made to attend. I would be astonished if they thought you should.

You're probably right and I'm stressing over nothing really!

I'm probably just stressing as I'm going to not have a job for the first time in 34 years!! its exciting and scary at the same time.

If you are required to do anything useful at the conference eg present, set up a stand with company brochures etc then they can insist that you go as it is part of your usual duties. If the point of the conference is to benefit you, eg training, networking then they will probably want to send someone else in your place.

Very unlikely they will want you to go to an event if you’re leaving. Waste of time and money for everyone and also if it’s meant to be to motivate employees for the coming year, having someone who is leaving isn’t ideal. We tend to always overthink these things as it’s a huge decision for us to leave a job but for a company you are just an employee and the wheels keep turning and it’s bau whether you are there or not so don’t worry about it.

Surely this is your answer. If you don’t care about being professional just don’t go or call in sick that day.

I’m struggling to understand the point of this thread tbh.

I reckon if it were the other way around, you’d have a bigger problem ie if you still really wanted to go to the shindig. Because they’d almost certainly be telling you that as a leaver, you can’t!

If you came to me and handed notice in on Tuesday you would be asked to go on gardening leave for the 4 weeks and not be back in work at all.

Just tell them that you’ve been talking to a competitor about consultancy work. They won’t want you within 10 miles of the event.

OP give them 4 weeks notice (and not a day more) and then relax.

Spend the rest of your time at work putting your handover notes together and informing all your contacts that your are leaving and when.

That's all you need to do.

Simply state that you will not be going to the conference and that it is more sensible for one of your colleagues to go instead.

There is no point of sending someone to represent a company at an event when they will leaving a few days after that...

If it was a day event then maybe but an entire week?

You don't even need a reference from them and you don't owe them anything more.

If you’re leaving I can’t imagine they would want you to go - as you say it’s meant to be for networking and promoting the company. Are you sure they will expect it? If they do just explain the reasons you think it’s inappropriate.

Surely there will be someone enthusiastic who would love to go.

While all the other MNs clutch their pearls and overthink every single scenario it boils down to this.
You are leaving the company.
You don't care about the company ( manager aside ) and they most certainly don't care about you or their staff if they are spending thousands on a piss up then making redundancies.

Hand in notice, setting out you wont be attending the conference. You may even want to sprinkle in a few grievances you have with the company etc

Thats a sure fire way of getting gardening leave / annual leave in lieu of notice. Im retired, companies know once you want "out" and are unhappy with them, they dont want you near current employees

All the best 🤞🏼

If your manager is also taking leave in the conference week then I think that’s a good sign. They probably secretly think it’s a waste of time too.

Sounds like you’re on 4 weeks notice but are grudgingly prepared to work more? Well don’t offer! I think you’re being too nice there but at least make them beg for it.

When you hand your notice in, say something like “So my contract says I’m on 4 weeks notice which takes us to the end of January. I’m happy to work this if you need me to, but equally if you’d rather have a fresh start with it being a new year and all, I’d be absolutely fine with a payment in lieu of notice” (big fake smile) “totally understand if that makes it easier for you guys” (it doesn’t matter that it doesn’t, do another big fake smile)

See how that lands, give it a bit of meaningless friendly “wish you and the company all the best for the future” type stuff. Then say “I don’t think it would be appropriate for me to attend the conference since it’s towards the end of my notice period - probably better for you guys to save the money or let someone else go instead?”

if you need to strengthen your case invent some childcare costs or a big family event on one of the evenings or something related to your mysterious new projects!

They can expect you to attend the conference if during your notice period but I doubt they’d be bothered if you tell them you’d prefer not to go. However they can definitely make you take your leave during the notice period too. If they are having any financial issues this would be pretty common.

Hand in your notice, don't mention the conference until a few days later, casually say 'I'm guessing you won't need me"

If they do, call in sick. Bugger to those condemning it..you are leaving. A conference is 24 hours, you're not paid 24 hours!! you want to be a home in the evenings.

Do not feel guilty.

When you resign I’d bring it up and maybe suggest someone to go in your place if there’s anyone in the company suitable. Stress that you don’t want the company spending money on your professional development by sending you to the conference when you won’t be around after March for them to reap the benefits of what you will learn at such a useful training and networking event. 😉

Why shouldn't it be about app? Why do people feel like they owe their employers their head on a platter?

Perpetuate that subservient attitude if it suits you but don't try to force it in other people and don't expect your employers to care back.

She is semi retiring, no need for networking.

OP
They cannot make you go to the conference with or without notice handed in. Just refuse. They can make you use your annual leave for any part of your notice. They can send you home as soon as you hand in your notice, they pay you but you dont have to work. Equally they can make you work it all and refuse annual leave. Depends on the company.

If you believe redundancy is on the cards for those attending the conference I think your doing the right thing. I know I could not keep that knowledge off my face. How could anyone have fun when they know shortly others will be jobless.

Could you not put yourself forward for redundancy? If you've been there a while, surely your greatest benefit is being made redundant - just a thought. I know that doesn't solve your conference problem, I'm just thinking longer term.

I'm not in the redundancy pool, unfortunately. So no point hanging on for it.

I do genuinely feel a bit sick at the thought of all the people buying into the hype that won't have a job soon. All the money spent on widgets and T-shirts and freebies is just grating.

I know for a fact the redundancies are happening as its been planned out at the higher level. I'm not supposed to know but guessed the truth. Fairly obvious when you do the analysis of facts. Been sworn to secrecy because I guessed 🙄

This!

if I knew there were potential redundancies in the summer I’d suck up the conference and be the first to put my hand up for redundancy.

in fact, that’s exactly what I did earlier this year. The payoff after 37 years was very nice thank you, I would have gone anyway in the next year or so but it sweetened the exit.

edited to say, just noticed the unlikely to get redundancy update

I've always been put on 'gardening leave'.

I was working in IT though so access to building and computers not allowed.

Well yes obviously, why wouldn’t it be?