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Original poster

Would you take this offer

58 replies

Dineoutone · 12/02/2017 20:46

I've been in job hell for months. Crying on the way home, dreading work.

I raised the issue and my employer says they will give me 3 months pay and I don't have to come in. As long as I hand my notice in.

This would give me 3 months to find a job. I have no savings (200 quid), and a family that would probably help me out if it got so awful I couldn't pay my mortgage.

I've always been very anti risk so this feels tempting but scary. The alternative is to stay in my job but I would be looking to move asap because of how bad it is there and they wouldn't give me this offer again if I don't accept this week.

What would you do? I have no dc and I'm 30 if that makes a difference.

OP posts:
flumpybear · 12/02/2017 21:42

I would but check you'll get a good reference from them!!

Original poster
Dineoutone · 12/02/2017 22:03

Yes will check all that. It feels like a gamble but then the alternative is also bad.

OP posts:
Darlink · 12/02/2017 22:15

Yes. Take it.
Sounds like they want you to go and are in fact giving you a very generous "out"

SorrelSoup · 12/02/2017 22:22

Yes take it. Life's too short. You could always temp in a different field if necessary?

PaterPower · 12/02/2017 22:55

It sounds to me like they're worried you'll take them to tribunal. Generally employers don't offer more than they need to unless they think it's ultimately going to save them money.

If you've got a week to accept the offer I would try and get some advice first. CAB or see if you can get 30mins free with a solicitor (or both).

If you've been with this employer for more than two years then you've got rights around constructive dismissal which, if the bullying is something you have recorded officially and they've done nothing tangible to fix it, I would think you have a reasonable case. Compensation for constructive is nothing like it used to be (the last Govt saw to that) but it may be better than 3 months. It might therefore be worth you going back with a counter offer - another month's gardening leave for instance.

I agree with PP on the reference too - make sure you have an agreement in writing that any references future employers request are positive.

chipscheesentomatosauce · 12/02/2017 23:01

Do it. Life is too short to be miserable. You have no DC, only you. You'll get through. If the worst came to it, could you move home for 6 months and rent your house out?

SleepingTiger · 12/02/2017 23:03

Take it, do it.

This job is slowly killing you.

Dieu · 12/02/2017 23:03

Go for it … but also negotiate a decent reference into the mix.

Foxysoxy01 · 12/02/2017 23:04

I would take it but would be making sure I had a target of say......sending at least 5 cv's and covering letters every day while you are looking for a job and looking at jobs that may be a slight compromise in terms of wages/distance/hours/slightly different sector etc.

Original poster
Dineoutone · 12/02/2017 23:13

I've considered going back for more but they've been quite 'firm' until now. They seem to think this is reasonable because I won't be working for 3 months but I will be getting paid.

OP posts:
Zebrasinpyjamas · 13/02/2017 08:17

I'd have done this in a past job that made me miserable. I could cut back on spending a lot to eek the money out for longer than usual. I Agree that negotiating a reference is essential.

Also I would think about how you want this paid. If they pay it in March in a lump sum would it put you in a higher tax bracket?
I'd also say if they want to end your employment contract this offer will hang around for a while. If you need a fortnight or few weeks to consider it (aka job hunt intensively) I doubt they'd actually withdraw the offer. This is obviously a risk but if they want you gone, this is not normally something that employers change their minds about. If you "refuse" you might find you don't get a choice anyway and they will find a way to get rid of your role. Statutory redundancy pay is 2 weeks plus 1 week per year of service so not much!

Zebrasinpyjamas · 13/02/2017 08:19

Also you need the agreement in writing which normally requires you to get legal advice (that they pay for). Ask them what you would need to sign. It's called a compromise agreement.

Original poster
Dineoutone · 13/02/2017 09:49

Thanks. I've asked for paperwork but they say they is as a just a normal resignation on my part. I will ask for written confirmation of references. It's all so stressful.

Is 3 months long enough?!

OP posts:
Darlink · 13/02/2017 13:07

As an employer this is a very generous offer.
It's a win win situation all round.

Original poster
Dineoutone · 13/02/2017 13:19

Is 3 months long enough?

OP posts:
Sugarpiehoneyeye · 13/02/2017 13:34

Yes, take it. Don't look back, look forward.

Cuppaoftea · 13/02/2017 13:56

Without savings in place to cover your mortgage beyond the 3 months I wouldn't take the offer. If you were to need to rely on family to help presumably that could only be for a finite amount of time and how would you pay them back in the near future?

I'd continue looking for other employment but wait until I had something else lined up before handing in my notice.

Original poster
Dineoutone · 13/02/2017 20:09

Cuppa that's my concern. But then I don't know if I can take much more at work with my boss.

Why is life full of hard decisions!

OP posts:
Laska5772 · 13/02/2017 20:18

Do you have a union representative?

Original poster
Dineoutone · 13/02/2017 21:16

Nope!

OP posts:
grumpysquash3 · 13/02/2017 21:36

Take it and go! 13 weeks money is quite a bit - maybe you can eke it out to last 16 weeks or maybe more.....
I bet you a tenner you'll have another job offer before it runs out.
Please don't stay just because it's lower risk. You hate it, remember. They've offered you a way out.

Sallycinnamum · 13/02/2017 21:46

Do it, do it, do it.

I had a horrendous experience in a job I loved in the public sector but was surrounded by the most toxic colleagues I have ever encountered.

After yet another consultation/restructure I was offered gardening leave as I had been off sick with severe stress and basically they wanted rid of me.

I had a month off with full pay, applied for every job going and was offered two brilliant jobs, all with great perks and flexible working. I've never looked back!

edwinbear · 13/02/2017 23:08

I was made redundant in September and have applied for over 150 jobs since but still out of work. My industry (banking) is very much in decline so it's not that much of a surprise, but given my job search experience 3 months may not be sufficient.

daisychain01 · 14/02/2017 03:54

Accept the offer:

  • get your employer to confirm they will pay you the 3 months' in lieu of notice tax fee, so this means you are effectively being paid maybe 4 months not 3.
  • ensure they give you a reasonable reference which confirms your dates of employment and good character.
  • I don't have confidence from what you've said that you have a snowball's chance of constructive dismissal.
  • think about transferable skills. There's no reason you can't do temp work, it may not be in the industry you want, but it could bring in money and ensure you don't default on your mortgage. Don't do that, it will have a bad effect on your credit score which could affect you getting a job in the finance industry for example.
flowery · 14/02/2017 05:25

I don't understand why people are saying with such confidence that her employer is being generous and she should definitely take the offer.

The OP hasn't given any indication of how her boss has been "awful" or what her employer has or hasn't done about it. She also hasn't said how long she's been working there. She also hasn't explained how her employer came to make this offer. Given what she has said about them, it seems unlikely they are doing it out of the goodness of their hearts.

OP it is not possible from what you've said to advise whether this is a reasonable offer or not. I would suggest you get proper real life advice of some kind from someone you are able to explain the circumstances to properly in order that they can get a picture of whether your employer is legally vulnerable, whether 3 months' pay is a reasonable amount and whether an acceptable reference can be agreed.