Resignation

[Mushypwease]

Hi everyone, long term lurker and first time poster here!

Just after a bit of advice if possible.....

I have worked at my current employer for over 10 years and its safe to say its very toxic and very ruthless (starts with the owner) Reason I've lasted so long is I've kindof become the oracle of the place and know pretty much everything for every department.
I have tried to leave numerous times but always been persuaded to stay, most recently was a few months back, was promised a new role. All was going OK until a month ago, they made some redundancies and now I am covering a role that is making me anxious and I am suffering with it. I have never suffered with this before and I am struggling and have been for a few weeks now.
I have handed my notice in this week and stated it is due to recent role changes and how it has affected my mental health. My notice period is 3 months, the very thought of doing this fills me with dread. I have spoken to the Dr's and they have signed me off work for 2 weeks but stupidly I went in to speak about the notice period. I've told them I can only do 1 month to which they said I am contractually obliged for 3 months.
Has anyone else been through this? I am at a crossroads on what to do next.

You could write and ask to revert to your previous role/ stop covering the role that is making you anxious. However, from your OP it is unlikely they will agree.

The nuclear option, and not one I would advise, is to just leave. They could take action as you would be AWOL, but in reality employers don’t. What they can do is provide a factual reference stating you did not honour your notice period. Talk to ACAS if you are considering this to understand the implications.

Another option (some posters will disagree with me);is, if your mental health is deteriorating and your GP is supportive they may sign you off for longer. The down side is your sick absence may be factually reported in references.

What I have done before is to break it down so it doesn’t seem so bad. Assuming you gave your notice on Friday (26/3) your notice period ends on Friday 25 June I.e. 13 weeks or 65 working days.
You have been signed off for 2 weeks, leaving 11 weeks or 55 days.
There are 2 Bank Holidays in May (your sick note covers Easter) leaving 53 days.
How much leave do you have? If you space this out e.g. one day a fortnight, you can reduce the number days you have to work whilst also working shorter weeks.
Do you qualify for parental leave, I know it is unpaid but one week in mid May would break the period up and reduce the number of days you have to work.
Again others will disagree, but if you have days when your anxiety is particularly heightened you could take the odd days self certified sick. This will have less impact on any reference.

HTH

I wouldn't take the odd day due to the Bradford Factor but would be signed off for as long as possible.

If your absence record has previously been good I'd do that.

I was once in this position, although many years ago. I'd handed in my notice but couldn't hack the notice period, the GP signed me off for 2 weeks. At the end of the 2 weeks I really couldn't face going in again, I didn't and just left. Told them I was in too much of a state to go back. I'd got to the point where I thought, What's the worst they can do? Sack me? But I'm leaving anyway!! In fact, they did nothing, there wasn't a lot they could do....

Thanks for all the advice guys! I've been looking into it and I think they could possible be in breach of contract themselves? I stayed to do a role and 3 months in I am doing something different to cover redundancies in that department. They promised me a salary review and that has not happened. I haven't recieved anything in writing about covering either.
I am edging towards just walking out at the end of this week.