Boss is refusing to let me take my foot off the gas

[tiredofthisshit21]

I'm retiring at the end of this year, corporate role, mid senior. I gave more than my contracted notice out of courtesy, did everything right. I've only got just over two months to go and I had thought that there might be a bit of easing back of the pressure to ease me gently into retirement. But my manager just keeps piling on the workload and pressure, regardless. I'm trying to care less, I really am, but there's no acceptance whatsoever that I have no incentive to go the extra mile any more. Currently facing into another working week with dread.

If you've been in this situation, how did you handle it?

This but if you don't do the job so what, they can't fire you.

I'd have to work til the end of June next year. Fuck that.

Have you always worked 'over and above'? Your role sounds similar to mine (except I'm early 40's and have at least 20 years before I retire!!) so it could be they're expecting you to continue working as you have done before handing in notice - which is not unreasonable at all. Often employers don't understand the true workload of an individual until after they have left.

However as you have stated you're middle management in your seniority, there presumably will be team members for you to delegate to. Maybe historically you haven't been very good at delegating, but if you have direct reports that will be expected to pick some of this workload up when you've left, it's most definitely in their best interests (as well as yours) for you to start managing your own handover rather than expecting your manager to do it on your behalf.

You're being paid to work as usual, so work as usual within the terms of your contract.

Don't do it. Work to your contract. Be squeaky clean in terms of handover.

Are you sure about the bonus? Request a copy of the plan rules, because there is typically good leaver provisions for retirement.

Oh fair play then. Why would you have to work 6 months past 2026 to get your 2026 bonus? Is there any way you can challenge it?

I think you just work as you have been surely?

if you’re being exploited and working over and above and it’s causing stress then that should be flagged in the same way as any of us would.

if you want to ease into it then maybe go part time.

but I think the issue here is the workload. It feels unfair that you get to ease off when you’re about to finish work forever, when maybe others don’t get to?

im sure you don’t mean it but it does come across a little selfish.

Exactly this - its very common in the company am in and in previous companies i have worked in
If i was OP and manager not listening i would slowly be dropping the rope, hand over what you can to the new person but wouldnt be going above and beyond - Any annual leave you can take to work short weeks in your last few ?
Congratulations on your retirement by way

They shouldn't need to "ease you into retirement", you've made it sound like you wanted an easy ride in your initial post. However, from your updates, you certainly don't need to work beyond your contracted hours as you won't be getting the bonus.
In your shoes, I would say this to your manager - that you are going to get through what you can between 9-5, including supporting with onboarding your replacement, but anything else won't be getting done because you won't receive your bonus so no reason for you to give more than you are being paid for.

Go off with stress, what they going to fucking do, sack you?

Don't then.
Do your contracted hours and duties- no more, no less.
What exactly can they do?

How can they avoid paying sick pay after being given notice?

So you’ve got two months more to go correct?

As long as you do everything sensibly and responsibly, that’s fine.

and of course you get to ease off when you’re finishing work forever. They’re just being shitty because they’re that kind of organisation.

Maybe you want to annoy them more and see if they just pay you gardening leave?

You're the unreasonable one. Say no. What are they going to do, fire you?

9am-5pm, hour for lunch. work the hours you're there at a reasonable speed. Then go home. If it's done, it's done, if it's not, who gives a F?

You should be setting boundaries, you always should have been, and enforcing them.

I agree don’t do extra hours though. Why would you? There’s nothing in it for you.

I think it’s fair enough re the bonus as it’s a bonus, not part of your salary, and in the same way, they have little incentive to pay it.

Yes, do look into that sick pay thing. It may be that you can’t self-certify as sick during your notice period, but I would imagine they’d have to pay if you got a doctor’s note.

Yep, have double and triple checked and asked the 'good leaver' question. They are standing firm.

And on the bonus, could you tell your employer that if they want you to stay for the full 2 months and fully bed in the person doing your job you’ll want paying 50% of it, otherwise you’ll be working your contractual notice and not a minute longer?

Funny how much loyalty corporations demand from employees, yet it's only ever one way.

I don’t understand. If you’re leaving because you no longer need the money, why would a day or so unpaid sick leave matter?

I'm not retired but had a 3-month notice period in my last few positions and still worked at full capacity right up until I walked out the door for the last time.

You're being paid to do a job so you need to do the job. However, you do not need to work beyond your contracted hours, so don't.

My mum retired because her health no longer allowed her to continue her work. It wasn’t because she didn’t need the money. After a few years of all sorts to get her health improved she went back to work in a different field where her duties didn’t impact her health condition.

I'm a year or so behind you. I have told my line manager when I will be retiring as I know it took well over a year to recruit me (niche role).

I know that there will be 12 months of 'yeah, yeah, yeah' followed by 3 months of 'oh S##T, Gnome is leaving!'.

But that is their problem to solve not mine. I have said that when I am gone I am gone.

But there’s absolutely nothing in the OPs post s to suggest that is the case here?

Work out a handover plan and agree it with your boss. Really though just because you are retiring you should not expect a grance period where you do not work. You are still getting paid.