Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Work

Chat with other users about all things related to working life on our Work forum.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

Handed Notice In and All Hell Broke Loose...

691 replies

MyNameDefinatelyIsntJanet · 05/07/2018 09:05

I handed my notice in at work yesterday, it did not go the way I was expecting and I need to know where I stand legally.

For context, it's a fairly senior position, a big jump up the ladder for me and it took them 6 months to find someone to hire into my role before they got me. I've only been in the role 6 months. Over those 6 months, it's become abundantly clear that I'm not the right person for this particular role. They need someone with strategic skills and I'm a technician. I'm bloody good at my job and an industry expert, but they don't need that skill, they need someone who can do the big picture stuff with clients and that's not me. I've stopped enjoying the job and I do feel that it was mis-sold to me at the interview stage, but I'm not bitter about that. I tried it, it didn't work out.

I gave these reasons when I handed in my notice but my line manager was apoplectic with rage. She called me a liar and accused me of using her/ the company as a leg up and that this had been my intention all along (I'm going to an equally senior role in a much bigger specialist agency). This is completely untrue. The job I'm going to is a technical role and much more in line with my skill set but at the same level as now iyswim.

She walked out of the room and slammed the door behind her and told me to leave the office immediately. So I did and have had no contact since.

WTF do I do now? I haven't gone in to the office today but I've been responding to client emails as usual this morning as there's stuff I need to get done.

I've since realised I was never asked to return my signed contract when I was hired and found it in my collection of papers this morning. I have signed it, but they don't have a copy.

I REALLY don't want to go back to the office after yesterday, but I have a 6 month notice period so not having to serve this would be great. I'm not sure where I stand legally. I'm prepared to hitch up my big girl pants and go back in but I'm not sure if they're going to want that so my questions are:

Legally, do they have to pay me for my 6 month notice period even though they've asked me to leave the office (they haven't asked me to leave my position yet).

As they don't have evidence of my signed contract, do I have to serve out my 6 months?

I want to hand over things properly and make sure they've got a plan for my leaving, but should I even care about this after yesterday? I don't want to leave my team in the lurch Sad

Also, the new company is not a competitor of any kind with my current one.

Help?

OP posts:
Original poster
MyNameDefinatelyIsntJanet · 05/07/2018 11:26

That's what I thought??

Surely they can't be attempting to formally discipline me for handing in my notice? That's not a thing? What would they be trying to achieve??

HR woman is inexperienced so there's a distinct possibility she's been told to set up a meeting and she's gone in all guns blazing...

OP posts:
gorgeoushazydaysofsummer · 05/07/2018 11:27

Why on earth will you need a union rep? You've resigned! They haven't sacked you! Best of luck. Sounds like they're going to be shitty.

(Does the fact that you haven't returned your signed contract mean it's not valid??)

Stick to your guns and be firm. You SAID you had reservations over the role, you said you weren't 100% about it, they chose to ignore you. This is YOUR decision. Their disappointment is not your concern.

Good luck.

Let us know how it goes.

gorgeoushazydaysofsummer · 05/07/2018 11:27

You could ask why they think you need a union rep...

TellsEveryoneRealFacts · 05/07/2018 11:28

I'd email HR woman back.

'Hi.

Many thanks for your email.

Could you please email me the procedure pertaining to this formal meeting, it sounds very much like a disciplinary type-process which is not my usual response to handing my notice in.

Many thanks

OP'

tickingthebox · 05/07/2018 11:29

This sounds like a disciplinary Confused

I'd call ACAS sharpish! I'd suggest it sounds like the want to dismiss you for having the temerity to resign.

Original poster
MyNameDefinatelyIsntJanet · 05/07/2018 11:29

Replied:

Hi (HR Woman)

Can you clarify the purpose of the meeting? I require this information in order to decide whether or not I'd like to engage union representation.

Regards,

NotJanet.

OP posts:
NotARegularPenguin · 05/07/2018 11:31

Oh that is odd. I’d also want to do it today. I’m guessing you aren’t expecting a glowing reference from them? Will that matter?

NotARegularPenguin · 05/07/2018 11:31

Surely they can’t dismiss you if you’ve already resigned?

KeiTeNgeNge · 05/07/2018 11:33

A union rep!! For resigning?!

MyYoniFromHull · 05/07/2018 11:33

It sounds like they are treating you leaving as a disciplinary matter Confused

senua · 05/07/2018 11:33

That sounds deliberately intimidating.

Ha! It's funny how we read things differently. I read it to mean that the company realise that they haven't behaved professionally up until now and are desperately trying to cover their arses ensure that they follow correct procedure from here i.e. they are scared.

I suggest that you follow suit, and read up on your rights before the meeting.

BlingLoving · 05/07/2018 11:33

It's very odd and I think your email to HR was exactly right t- if they are suggesting you bring a union rep, then you need to know what the meeting is about.
Also, they have't clarified, in any of these emails, whether or not you are supposed to be working, working from home, or twiddling your thumbs?

lifechangesforever · 05/07/2018 11:34

This is a bloody bizarre thread of events - they sound an AWFUL company to work for! Bet you can't wait to wipe your hands of them.

Also think you should call ACAS and ask for some advice, especially as they don't have a specified HR department either.

What a way to treat someone for making a decision about their own life.

Original poster
MyNameDefinatelyIsntJanet · 05/07/2018 11:34

Reference won't have any impact at all, i didn't hand my notice in until I had my formal offer letter and contracts through from my new job. They wanted references before that so i explained to them that the situation at my current role may get political (aaaah foresight.) so I put down my previous employer and they were happy with that.

OP posts:
Iamagreyhoundhearmeroar · 05/07/2018 11:35

You have documented your resignation, and not just done it verbally?? It really sounds like they’re going to ignore it completely and attempt a disciplinary Confused. They sound nuts Shock

tickingthebox · 05/07/2018 11:37

My suspicion here would be that they are trying to fire you rather than paying the 6 months notice....

which is daft as you are happy to negotiate it anyway!

LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett · 05/07/2018 11:43

Yep, I think they're going to try and fire you. Did you hand your notice in in writing? If not, do that now and make sure it has the correct date on it, ie the date you did it verbally. What does your contract say about your probation? ie can they say you're still in probation so can fire you without notice?

Call ACAS before the meeting - are you actually in a union?

CraftyNestUK · 05/07/2018 11:43

I do wonder, as the hr lady is not experienced, if she’s simply using the wrong template. The wording is very pro forma for initial redundancy or disciplinary meeting.

PuppyMonkey · 05/07/2018 11:44

I’d be dying to go in today to see what on earth they are going to say. Sounds like you’re in a great position with your new job so... let your old place have their silly meeting and then say: “This has been fun. I’m off now. See ya.” Grin

TheHodgeoftheHedge · 05/07/2018 11:47

Oh wow OP. They really are behaving very strangely. Good luck!

Original poster
MyNameDefinatelyIsntJanet · 05/07/2018 11:48

I gave my notice in writing (printed it out and signed) and also attached it to an email and sent it across to MD, CEO and HR after she stormed out just to be safe in case she destroyed it and denied all knowledge (i think I'm paranoid.. or psychic!)

Surely they're not going to attempt a disciplinary?? HOW? I've got evidence of excellent feedback (too excellent in a way, it's really gushy) from my second month here until now, no previous formal meetings and absolutely no performance issues Confused

OP posts:
aaarrrggghhhh · 05/07/2018 11:49

I totally understand how stressful this must be - but you will look at back and this an laugh one day.

They're going to discipline you for not wanting to work for them! One can only imagine what its like inside their heads..

TheMagnoliaTree · 05/07/2018 11:49

Definitely call ACAS today and I would be prepared to say as little as possible in the meeting to get their take on it.

Make notes, tell them you will have to run all of this past an adviser and you'll be in touch.

This is truly awful unprofessional behaviour by the company. Door slamming, what is she? 12?

Wishfulmakeupping · 05/07/2018 11:51

How completely bizarre. Reiterate again to their response that you will attend the meeting but to clarify you want discuss your resignation and formalise an agreement to facilitate your leaving process and will not engage in any other discussions.

mogonfoxnight · 05/07/2018 11:51

It might be that they want to negotiate with you, so the formal intimidating language is to put you slightly on your back foot (without wanting to sound dramatic). Try to decide in your head what terms you would like ideally and what you would accept, eg stay for 2 or 3 months to ensure orderly handover of work, and then propose you go to your new employer and not expect payment ie saving them money.