Please help! Advice needed re quitting with no notice. Quick advice greatly appreciated.

[Justletmestayinbed]

I don't want to identify myself too much because I have an inkling boss might be on MN.

But, I have been thinking of leaving my job for a few months, but haven't been in the job long so kept thinking: "give it another month, it might get better", have been applying for the past couple of weeks and only had my first interview today for a job I semi-want, so things aren't looking hopeful for if I do leave really.

But I really can't stay much longer:

It is a very very very small company, most of the time only me and the boss, in v close quarters. Whenever boss is in a bad mood (daily), the atmosphere is awful. Then the next day she'll be on top of the world.

Boss doesn't run company very professionally at all (kisses at end of emails to strangers, spelling mistakes etc)

Boss is mildly racist daily

Boss is incredibly critical, fair enough, but doesn't do anything to train or guide in how to do things better/her way.

Boss is not critical of herself at all and if I turned out some of the products she does, I would be in deep shit. And obviously I can't point this out to her! (Can I???)

No focus in the business at all, jack-of-all-trades, master of none.

Boss always says to stop taking things so personally, but with the small physical environment (always being watched over), and talking to me like shit/as if I'm a moron regularly it's difficult not to. Plus she says that even if I don't take things personally.

Never ever listens to my reasons for doing things. Not excuses - reasons. Explanations. A few months ago she was like, "it would really be great for me if you could just say: "yep, fine, I won't do it again" rather than give me excuses as to why you did something differently".

Boss is just a bitter, sad woman I think.

Boss has told colleague that she wants to go travelling, earn more money, doesn't want to be here etc. I've given her opportunities to tell me the same, hinted, opened conversations etc, but she's withholding it from me (realise that makes me sound paranoid!).

Anyway. There are more reasons on top of this. Really these are all niggles aren't they, and there's no proper reason for me to hand my notice in and leave. What would I say to future employees? Had the final straw today and want to just leave with no notice, just go and collect my stuff and never go back. That would really fuck her over. But is there ever a valid reason for doing that, or would I be ruining myself for future employment??? And I guess I would definitely not get a reference if I did that? Also can't really afford to.

Oh also, there is no-one above the boss to go to. She is it.

Would be so grateful for any advice!

Also if you leave without notice, do they sue you for lost working hours or something??

Got this from Wikipedia (Constructive Dismissal):
'In employment law, constructive dismissal, also called constructive discharge, occurs when employees resign because their employer's behaviour has become so intolerable or heinous or made life so difficult that the employee has no choice but to resign.'

More relevant details on en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constructive_dismissal.

Don't know whether you could go down that route? Unfortunately probably long-winded and costly(?), but yes, that is a valid reason for resigning. Horrible to be in that situation, she sounds awful to work for/with.

Also look on that page under grounds. I'm sure some of them would apply to you. Hope things work out for you.

You must work for the same company as Dh. He's thinking of doing the same as you but has vowed never to work for a tiny company again.

I'm no help but didnt want you to think your'e alone.

The info above is very helpful.

Ah cranberry, sadly only me and 1 other, no men around, so that means there's 2 bosses like this! At least! Hate that thought. Your poor DH!

Thanks FlatIron, I've had a quick read. Think it will be difficult to prove I was 'forced' to quit. Am leaning towards just handing in my notice and riding out my notice period.

Just noticed, by 'future employees' in last para of OP, I meant employers, but I suppose employees is relevant as well if I need to find a replacement for myself.

Thanks for your responses, they are a great comfort :)

Find another job if you can, then go. If you've got that new job, it means the short period at this employnent doesn't matter!

As for what to say, whst about: "It wasn't a good fit."

Then youvcan just mention things about your current company which don't apply to the company you're applying to.

If you can I would throw everything (so enhance your LinkedIn profile, join LinkedIn groups, be proactive with agencies, apply for all relevant jobs, follow up for feedback, contact employers directly, put the word out to any contacts that might be able to help) into job hunting. It is tough out there.

You can be a more 'attractive' candidate to future employers if already working.

Having said that I once left a job with no job to go to as I thought I was going to have a breakdown. That is how I started freelancing and I am still doing that.

I think it depends on your tolerance of the issues/bad behaviour. Could you set yourself a deadline eg "If I don't have a new job by 6 months time I'll leave and go temping/do anything".

Good luck, hopefully a better job is around the corner.

Always better to have something to go to, but if you can afford to quit without another job, then just serve your notice. If you started after April 2012 then you woukd need 2 years' service to claim unfair constructive dismissal, and TBH I don't think you woukd have a case, even if you have the service.

Ah thanks for these replies. Yes it would be a weak case if I did claim it and hard to prove anyway.

Thanks all for the insights and opinions!!

If you resigned and were planning to work your notice (how long is it?) she might ask you to go on gardening leave or whatever anyway. And if she didn't - well, you'd feel better knowing it was for a limited time, wouldn't you?

Personally I'd job hunt as much as possible and stick with it, but if it's really unbearable and you can afford it, working your notice ought to be doable.