Want to finish earlier than notice period but company won't allow it

[theressomethingaboutmarie]

I returned to work after maternity leave in September 2013. I had issues prior to my return as my boss wanted to unilaterally changed my hours, to hours that would make it impossible for me to return to work. I fought it tooth and nail and kept my hours. It's quite clear that I have not been welcomed back, I have not met with my boss, there was no re-introduction to the company (I'd been out for 13 months). In my review, she mentioned that my colleagues, who are both doing well, regularly do 12 hour days etc. That I should be more timely with my work (referencing my legally protected shorter hours).

Anyway, enough is enough and I've resigned. My contract requires me to give 6 months notice (it's a contract from 2010 when both my role and standing were very different) but I simply can't do it. I'm stressed, exhausted and very unhappy. I've worked nearly 7 weeks of notice so far and am desperate to go. What can I do?

Hello, that sounds horrid. I am not an employment person but:

You could ask them if they'd be happy to cut the notice period short - they may welcome this if you are feeling pushed out?

Get signed off - you mentioned stress and exhaustion, it sounds like the job is making you ill.

Good luck

Thanks BigArea. Despite thinking I'm rubbish, my boss is refusing to reduce my notice period. It's like walking through treacle every day, I'm so disengaged and very unhappy. I might go and see my doctor as you suggest. It IS making me ill.

Don't underestimate the effect that things like this can have on your mental health - let me know how you get on

Do have a think about your plans for future employment and the need for a reference. If you are going to look for a new job and you want to use a reference from your current employer (most companies would expect this) then how you manage your notice period will be important.

Not as important as your health, obviously, but the more you are able to suck it up (knowing you have dug your escape tunnel and are just waiting for a moonless night) and be super professional, the harder it s for them to give you anything but a neutral / good reference. If you have been off sick with stress they will probably say this in any reference (they can only say what is factually correct I believe) and it might cast a shadow on employment prospects elsewhere which would be a shame.

I was also forced to work a protracted notice period and during that time more and more work was piled on to me. In the end I managed to work 2 of the 3 months and after taking legal advice agreed to be signed off with stress and exhaustion for the final month. Although I was reluctant it was the best thing that I did, I was not in a fit state to work as I had originally resigned due to being bullied and this refusal to reduce my notice period despite me having valid reasons to ask them to compromise on it led to me suffering MH issues for the first time. I then took off several months to recover and found a good new job. My reference from the previous job was good, I think that they knew they had been unreasonable and all is fine. However, the impact of the way that I was treated has been long lasting and is still affecting me a year later.

If it's making you unwell I would get signed off on the sick with work related stress do you still get paid?

Be wary of being signed off sick with stress unless you really don't have an alternative.
You may have to declare it for any future employment and although they aren't supposed to it could put some employers off.

What about holidays you are owed? Do you have a union?

Make sure you arrive exactly on time, finish exactly on time, and leave the office for your exact lunch break. Do not work excess hours. Do not take work home. Do not accept responsibilty for failing to do 12 hours work in 8 paid hours. Put in your holiday requests in plenty of time. Be unavailable to do extra days or travel, especially in your own time.

Be sympathetic to other people's problems but don't take ownership of them.