Getting signed off for notice period

[adaline]

Hello - just after some advice :)

I've been with my current company for almost four years and have been promoted twice in that time. I work full-time.

In November I went off sick with work-related stress. I was off for six weeks and ended up being put on sertraline by my GP.

Just before Christmas I went back on a phased return - 3 days/week for two weeks, then 4 days/week. This coming week will be the final week of that return.

I've been having regular meetings with my manager but I feel they're just an excuse to pick me apart. Everything I do is scrutinised and pulled apart in these supposed "phased return" meetings and yesterday I just broke into tears and said to him that this is bullying and it's not fair. Nobody else is subjected to such high levels of scrutiny and it's taking a toll on my mental health again.

I've written my resignation and will be handing it in first thing tomorrow morning. I can't face going back. My GP is amazing and I know she'll sign me off if I ask, but has anyone had any experience of being signed off for their notice period? My notice period is four weeks if that makes any difference at all.

I don't want my resignation to cause any accusations at work - I just want to leave and not look back. Thanks in advance!

In your shoes i would do exactly as you have outlined. If this is what you want Based on my experience they won't fight it and they'll let you use sign off and go quietly.

Being there 4 years means you have rights and some people will likely tell you to fight it etc. You may want to do this and wait it out / get an employment lawyer (I have seen "offers without prejudice" of 4 months pay and immediate departure for 4 years service.)
Hanging in there almost always has a better/equivalent financial outcome but it will be stressful. If you can afford it I'd personally just get out asap.
Otherwise wait until it progresses and they put you on a PIP then go down the informal discussion route and look for them to settle with you.

My experience is based on 20+ cases London marketing/media HR teams. They tend to take a risk adverse approach and want to avoid any legal issues so are willing to pay for people to go quietly.
Your industry may be different.

I should also add...

Sorry this is happening to you they sound like a shower of bastards
but please remember for most people they look back on times like this and see it was actually a catalyst for positive change. Almost everyone I know got a new better job (ie higher pay / happier / better hours) etc. subsequent to leaving their "bad job"

Thank you!

I can afford to leave. We're very lucky to have savings and DH earns well so we wouldn't struggle for money. If it would be put me in financial danger to walk I would probably do things differently but for the sake of my mental health I think I just need to go. I already feel better having written my resignation even though I haven't handed it in yet.

The lady who was in my job before me left for the same reasons - although she was never signed off, the job had a horrible impact on her mental health and she walked too. I spoke to her yesterday and she said it was the best decision she ever made!

Fingers crossed it goes smoothly enough in the morning.

I was signed off sick through my notice period. They had no problem with it and really they can’t do anything even if they do have a problem.

Just provide the sick note at the same time as the resignation and that’s it. I did say I would write handover notes and did but I did so from home. But you are not obligated to do so

Thanks - it's not really the kind of environment where a handover would be necessary :)

I guess I'm just nervous about the whole process. I've never resigned from a job in this kind of circumstance before, and my manager can be quite...not volatile but he doesn't like criticism so I want to just keep things factual and get the hell out of there.

I don't think he liked me using the term "bullying" at our last meeting so I think he may be worried that I'll go to HR.

Just a quick update:

Thankfully my GP has signed me off for the month so I don't have to go back to work. I also have a job interview next Tuesday for a totally different field of work, so fingers crossed! :)

Good luck with your interview Adaline!

Make sure you let HR know of your reasons for leaving. Although you dont wish to take things further, it may give you added closure and also protect any future replacement cover/employee in your old position. This boss simply cannot keep getting away with belittling and bullying vulnerable members of staff.

Take care.