Leaving work before notice period

[Hochocolio]

I'm 6 weeks into a 12 week notice period. In the last few months I have split up with my DH who has turned very nasty. I've moved 100 miles away into a crappy rental and am trying to get my Landlord to deal with a mouse infestation, I've had a cancer scare. And now tonight I've found out my Dad is really sick and has had a stroke. I feel like I can't cope with it all. My work is taking forever and I'm unfocused and just being generally crap. I work in an industry that means mistakes can be big and costly. I have a new job starting in October. Would I be really unreasonable to ask if I could finish my notice period now? Because if I don't I feel like I'm drowning.

And obviously I wouldn't expect to start my new job early or be paid anything. In fact I would happily pay them 6 weeks wages if they let me leave early.

I'm so sorry things are a bit too much for your right now. I wouldn't say you are being unreasonable at all but it definitely warrants a discussion with your employer as you wouldn't want to just leave and be in breach of your contract. Do you have any holidays you could use? And how reasonable are they? Is it likely they would agree to let you go or is it imperative that you stay until the end of your notice? Would the business suffer, would they be short staffed? They will most likely take these things into consideration if you out your request to them.

My employment lawyer friend once told me that you are not REQUIRED to work out your notice. Obviously you won't be paid, and you'd want to make sure you weren't relying on getting a reference for the next job etc... but slavery was abolished a long time ago and no employer can force you to work!!

Ideally you would mutually agree an end date sooner than anticipated.. or garden leave.. but failing that I think you can just let them know that for personal reasons you are finishing up on XX date.

Id have thought you wouldn't be out of order get signed off sick by a doctor with all you have going on x

Posted too soon.. sounds like a very tough time for you right now if you can afford it, then I would certainly finish up ASAP if I was in your position. You are no help to them if you are not focused on the job, and those extra few weeks of headspace will likely be really helpful for you.

@Allllchange

Id have thought you wouldn't be out of order get signed off sick by a doctor with all you have going on x

Oh yes this too ^^

Agree, sounds like you are sick to me.

Yes I probably could get signed off sick until the end of my notice period in this job then start the next job as planned in October. I just worry that they would contact new employer and tell them I'm not fit to work. I have already got my reference. I just don't want to let people down. And don't want to mess up the new job or this one

Talk to your current boss and get signed off sick. It'll be better for them maybe too if they can get the new person in quickly. You already have your reference.

Talk to your doctor. Get a sick note. Tell your boss once you have the note. If your weren't habin gto deal with this you presumably would be working your notice. Tale some.sick pay.