Quitting work right now and not doing notice...

[DependencyInjection]

Hi all thoughs and advice would be appriciated.

I'm quitting work right now not working notice period, we've been screwed over for childcare, can't get full time places for DD1&2(6,3) from Monday onwards. DW earns more than me and really enjoys her job, so the right call is for me to be a sahd (hey, we're modern, progressive, politically correct nuclear family, so big up for DW).

My perspective: Employment contracts are not worth the paper they are printed on. I finish my probationary period Tuesday anyway. Frankly, I cannot see in a real world situation - bar a bit of griping on their part - what realistically I could be penalised with as family comes first.

So what are peoples thoughs, advice and experiences?

Ta in advance

I would at least try to negotiate unpaid parental leave instead of your week(?)s notice. You will at some point need a reference from these people and you don't want them remembering you as "that twat who..."

Can't you get cover for the notice period

You'll want to go back to work one day & youll need a reference

Why do you need full time for a six yr old?!

Agree.

Talk to your boss, explain the situation, lack of childcare/not financially viable. They may surprise you and try and help you out, or if they can't accept your resignation with good grace. Be humble and apologetic even if you don't mean it... You may end up needing a reference or coming across your ex boss in years to come, these things have a habit of biting you on the arse

Agree with above, basically unpaid parental leave covering your notice period. Double check your notice period whilst still in probation sometimes different.

I've done this (in my younger days) on two occasions. Pay day came, I took my money and walked out never to return.

Luckily I had already secured new employment so no need for references.

I'm not sure that any company would pursue this, more time and effort etc.

Having said that, I wouldn't just quit and run now. You have a responsibility to your employer to at least explain the situation, tell them that you're not coming back etc...

What's the worst that can happen?

At least you walk away knowing you did the right thing.

Unpaid leave is the request I'd ask for in your situation.

How much notice do you have to work?

As for the employment contracts are not worth the paper they are printed on... they don't even have to be in writing. And you can be taken to court for breach of contract. Most likely via the small claims process at County Court unless you earn a lot or have to give a lot of notice.

If I was your employer how you handled it with me would make the difference between whether I sued you or not. If you came out with what you've put in your post I'd be seriously considering spending the money which would be less than £120.

You do come across as a bit arrogant though

You have to have at least one year's service to request parental leave. Plus the employer can insist on notice or defer the period.

Employment contracts can be legally enforced. If you refuse to work your notice your employer will obviously not pay you for that week. They may also be able to sue you for damages if they can show that your failure to work out your notice has increased their costs.

As PurplePidjin says, if you need a reference from them later they are unlikely to give a glowing reference to someone who left without working their notice.

You may find that your employer is happy for you to leave early. I would investigate that rather than simply walking away.

If you're still in probationary period, surely just one week notice?
DD1 in school, presumably DD2 in p/t nursery?
DW takes one week leave/or work p/t one week if poss
You work your notice
Better karma all round

Yes what everyone else said.

Employment contracts certainly worth more than the paper they're written on. Whether your employer would take any action depends on whether they've lost money as a result of your actions. Realistically most wouldn't bother, as amount actually lost when balanced against management time/legal costs etc unlikely to be worth it.

But if you approach it nicely with your employer, explain the situation, they won't then take action and will probably just agree to release you early. They are also then more likely to be inclined to be helpful with references in future.

Also, as you are in your probationary period your employers may not even wish to keep you on.

So speaking to them may result in a win - win for both parties.

Of course I'm not going to give my employer some kind of ultimatum. We have no options on monday for childcare. 6yo needs picking up after school and for the rest of the term, so what do we do leave her on the school doorstep until 7pm.
This is an open forum not the real world and Gumby your uid says it all

You really shouldn't ask the question if you're not going to like the answer or able to take it with good grace.

People are trying to be helpful you know.

Ask them if you can work your notice flexibly? So work 8 weeks but leave at 3pm everyday

If it's not the real world why are you asking real life questions? I'm confused

Did it come as some surprise that your 6 year old would need picking up?

You might want to address that massive chip on your shoulder during your time as a SAHD.

If you are as arrogant and rude in RL your employers will be relieved you aren't coming back

Golly OP.

Of course no one is suggesting that you leave your child sitting at the school gate until 7. How ridiculous.

But you have been given other quite nifty ways of working round the notice problem without being in breach of contract - particularly the one where your DW works compressed or part time hours or takes leave while you serve your notice, or where you work the notice period flexibly. Or the unpaid parental leave. If you wanted everyone to tell you that its not a problem, I wonder why you bothered posting.

Of course it didn't come as a surprise that his 6yo would need picking up.

Didn't you read in the OP that they had been screwed over for childcare and the subsequent post saying that they had no option...

I think it's clear that whatever childcare the op had in place prior has stopped and he hasn't been able to find a new provider.

I would speak to your boss about the situation and see what they say, what's the worst that could happen? Unless they are a bastard?

Good luck!

But equally the OP appears not to have read or acknowledged any of the suggestions for how he can work out his notice while still maintaining care for the children.

Op do you actually want people's thoughts, advice and experience?

If the OP treated their childcare provider with the same disdain that he is treating his employer and everyone posting helpful suggestions, is it any wonder they have been 'screwed over'?

OP: just tell your employer what has happened. Most people will be sympathetic and look for ways to help you out of the position you're in. If not, then you still have the option of leaving them high and dry.