Estate agents - Thinking of handing in my notice

[Sp3849]

I am am estate agent in rural Wales. I work for a small firm and I have always loved working there. However the past year has been difficult. They had a member of staff who was truly terrible at her job. Long story short she was dismissed at the beginning of the year.

Since then I have single handedly run my branch. She was awful but at least she answered the phone. The manager manages a few branches and is so busy he is never around. I do absolutely everything all viewings, negotiation, progressions, down to invoicing chasing invoices, typing details taking photos putting up for sale signs. You name it I do it. I even clean because they didn't replace the office cleaner.

The issue is I am not well. Which they know. I have lupus and they are literally killing me. I don't have any sick days I am always there. I am literally dying on my feet right now. I have asked and asked for help. I have asked for another member of staff. They have now started interviewing and asked me to sit in on them. I was so deflated yesterday when I realised they are hiring a member of staff to cover two offices and I will have them two days a week. This is nowhere near enough. The other office already has two members of staff in situ and doesn't have half the stock or sales mine does!

I also asked the other day if I could have an old car or something at the office just for access to do viewings...Because 45p a mile isn't enough anymore. I am only on minimum wage plus commissions which are set amount per property and only Equate to around an extra £200 per month with mileage back I take home £1800 per month. I am putting £400 + per month iny car easily. Never mind the tyres, brake pads, servicing twice a year due to amount of mileage additional insurance and fuel is getting higher by the day. It was a no. I have never asked them for anything In the years I have been there. I go to work and go home. So I felt like it was a bit of a kick in the teeth.

I am at loss. I can't work harder and sell more to earn more which is there moto. I am stretched to my limits as it is. I don't physically have any more time. I start early work through lunch because there is nobody to cover a lunch break. I work late. I don't get paid for those hours. I never complain, but the car thing was the final straw.

Aibu to hand in my notice? There are other agencies taking on. The money will be the same but I won't be doing everything alone!

I have hung on and hung on thinking it will get better when they employ someone else. But now it's clear that's not even full time. The costs of using my car are rising and I am basically not even on minimum wage when you take that out!

I agree about going off sick- maybe get a stress sign off for two weeks? I feel like it would make them realise they have no cover and focus on how it is affecting you. It's not a fake request they have run you ragged.

If nothing changes after that I would leave.

I can sympathise OP. A busy estate agents office is the worst and I speak from experience. Your job is just not worth your health. The pay is abysmal and the workload is too much. They are taking you for granted and they need to realise that. Don’t feel bad at all, remember they’re quite happy for you to work like a dog and not pay you correctly for it.

Well of course you should leave.
A few things though about what’s been mentioned. You can’t hand your notice in and then claim constructive dismissal. You have to just leave. There really should be a final act that means it’s become untenable for you to even go in there again. That final act could be you asking for help and then refusing again. But it’s hard to just walk out.
Next is the car stuff. They don’t have to give you a car. Usually more trouble than it’s worth. The 45p a mile is the HMRC rate which is supposed to compensate for wear and tear too (yeah, I know…). But you said you are not on minimum wage when that’s taken out? Well mileage should be paid as an expense not an allowance. Not connected to your salary.
Also your car must be insured for business use. Social domestic and to and from a place of business is NOT covered. Just in case you don’t know.
if you’re not paid minimum wage then your employer is breaking the law.
Do you have a contract or job description? Work to it. Strictly. Nothing more.
if you have lupus you have a disability. If the employer knows then they are once more breaking law as they are not accommodating you. Ask for reasonable adjustments abd they have to provide.
Basically though they sound dreadful. Apply for one of the other jobs and leave. It’s just a job and you owe them nothing as they aren’t respecting you.
38 years union rep here.

Have you looked for other jobs? Can you manage to be out of work until you get one?

Id say start applying for other jobs asap. You clearly have a lot of transferable skills! Get out of there asap!

Yes I’d be applying for other jobs and letting them know you’re considering your options too.
they may change their tune but alternatively if you’ve had enough I’d just leave. I wouldn’t want to do all that in my own car, you’re right it’s just additional expense you don’t need.

You don't go off sick to make a point. Grow up. She's not sick, she can't take sick leave.

She said ‘I am not well’ and I am literally dying on my feet right now’. Her post reads as stress to me.

Quote from OP; The issue is I am not well. Which they know. I have lupus and they are literally killing me. I don't have any sick days I am always there. I am literally dying on my feet right now. I have asked and asked for help.

Do you think the plan is to close your branch?

"Since then I have single handedly run my branch. She was awful but at least she answered the phone. The manager manages a few branches and is so busy he is never around. I do absolutely everything all viewings, negotiation, progressions, down to invoicing chasing invoices, typing details taking photos putting up for sale signs. You name it I do it. I even clean because they didn't replace the office cleaner."

You're already running the agency single-handed so what's to stop you from opening "SP3849's Estate Agency" and earning the money for yourself instead of lining the pockets of the owners who treat you so badly?

Go off sick. You owe them nothing.

She has lupus. Most people work with lupus but with reasonable adjustments. It's a grown up conversation that's needed not a tantrum/going off sick. If she can't cope, she needs to get a new job and leave.

She had tried to have a conversation but they aren't listening

A lot of people can’t just do this for a variety of reasons, including the risk of moving to a new, less secure job. We don’t know the OP’s full circumstances.

You poor thing, they sound like they are completely exploiting you.. and are not complying with the law either.

"There are other agencies taking on. The money will be the same but I won't be doing everything alone!"

Sounds like a no brainer. They've ignored all your requests. I'd spend the weekend applying for the new job.. even if you take a day or two's sick leave to do that.

I'd put your request to them re the car/expenses in writing.

You say you have no sick days is that because they've refused to let you have them?
I think you need to speak to ACAS. and get some advice.

You do have the skills to set up your own agency, but take legal advice first in case there is a no compete clause in your contract, as yo umay be able to find away around this.

I would def get out asap. Put yourself first. I'd be basically working to rule until you find the next job.