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Original poster

Can't face working notice

29 replies

Babyroobs · 22/12/2021 22:37

It has been a rubbish year at work. I love my job but the team is challenging to say the least. We have been working on half staff of an already very small team for the last six months. It has been exhausting with little support.
Final straw happened today, I have told my team leader I am resigning.
I can't face working my notice which is a month.
Has anyone successfully negotiated leaving sooner?

OP posts:
abbs1 · 22/12/2021 22:54

I had this and couldn't work my notice as I was just too poorly physically and mentally. I got the dr to sign me off for the duration of my notice period and handed it in with my registration. My boss couldn't stop me as I had drs note.
I hope you can find a way to not have to work it and get some rest.

msc6199 · 22/12/2021 22:56

As of last week you can self-certify 28 days of sickness without a fit note from your GP. Prior to this, anything more than 7 days of sickness needed a GP sick note. So you could always go sick for the month?

Ohyay · 22/12/2021 22:58

What @msc6199 said. A short term loophole!

headintheproverbial · 22/12/2021 23:01

Call in sick 100%

RedpepperRisotto · 22/12/2021 23:03

I've found it really common for people to decide not to do their notice because of their mental health, or how busy it is. Yeah, don't do your notice, it's a huge world and it's highly unlikely that you will come across people who remember you didn't do your notice, or had been left in the lurch by you not doing your notice. It'll be fine.
Incidentally, I've just ignored some CV's from people applying for a very senior role because, guess what, they didn't work their notice in a past company.

dane8 · 22/12/2021 23:03

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Original poster
Babyroobs · 22/12/2021 23:10

@msc6199

As of last week you can self-certify 28 days of sickness without a fit note from your GP. Prior to this, anything more than 7 days of sickness needed a GP sick note. So you could always go sick for the month?
Really ? I didn't know this. I probably wouldn't as I don't want it to affect my chances of finding another role, but worth knowing. Thanks.
OP posts:
MissCruellaDeVil · 22/12/2021 23:21

Could you phone in sick citing stress? You can now self cert for 28 days which should cover your notice period unless you're in a very high ranking position.

pinkcattydude · 22/12/2021 23:28

Check they pay you for sick we only pay ssp during notice periods unless that’s not an issue.

Viviennemary · 22/12/2021 23:37

I don't think its a good idea if you need a reference.

Original poster
Babyroobs · 22/12/2021 23:55

@pinkcattydude

Check they pay you for sick we only pay ssp during notice periods unless that’s not an issue.
I think we only get SSP anyway. I have never had significant sick time before so not absolutely sure.
OP posts:
Cameleongirl · 23/12/2021 00:00

If you're owed holiday time, could you put that towards your month's notice? I'd be wary of signing off sick unless you really are ill, you don't want to jeopardize your reference.

BobbieT1999 · 23/12/2021 00:06

I wonder if you'd have a chance of strategically using annual leave for some 3 day weekends instead?

Abouttoblow · 23/12/2021 00:13

Get your GP to sign you off. It's not worth the stress. I finally left a job I loved due to other people's piss taking (Flexi-time CF and their replacement if anyone remembers) and I couldn't bare to work my notice. Handed in my notice and GP's note at the same time.

MissCruellaDeVil · 23/12/2021 00:14

@Viviennemary

I don't think its a good idea if you need a reference.
Most jobs only give factual references now anyways, eg dates worked, position and salary.
talesoftheunexploded · 23/12/2021 00:24

@RedpepperRisotto

I've found it really common for people to decide not to do their notice because of their mental health, or how busy it is. Yeah, don't do your notice, it's a huge world and it's highly unlikely that you will come across people who remember you didn't do your notice, or had been left in the lurch by you not doing your notice. It'll be fine. Incidentally, I've just ignored some CV's from people applying for a very senior role because, guess what, they didn't work their notice in a past company.
How did you know they didn't work their notice?
Original poster
Babyroobs · 23/12/2021 00:28

@Abouttoblow

Get your GP to sign you off. It's not worth the stress. I finally left a job I loved due to other people's piss taking (Flexi-time CF and their replacement if anyone remembers) and I couldn't bare to work my notice. Handed in my notice and GP's note at the same time.
Yes it's others piss taking which has pushed me over the edge. One member of our small team has done very little all year, has only worked 3 days in the whole of December ( sick time, annual leave) and now taking another days leave before the end of the week, whilst moonlighting as a Santa. I have worked so hard all year and could not take any leave this Xmas week as too many others were off. I just feel like a mug. I can't take any more.
OP posts:
Abouttoblow · 23/12/2021 00:37

I totally understand. I dealt with a colleague so bone idle and piss taking that finally left when called out. The team covered for nearly 5 months till the replacement started and they rocked up on the first day with a list of adjustments they needed. I just thought "nope". Handed in my notice and GPs note the next week. Life really is too short.

RavingAnnie · 23/12/2021 01:03

@RedpepperRisotto

I've found it really common for people to decide not to do their notice because of their mental health, or how busy it is. Yeah, don't do your notice, it's a huge world and it's highly unlikely that you will come across people who remember you didn't do your notice, or had been left in the lurch by you not doing your notice. It'll be fine. Incidentally, I've just ignored some CV's from people applying for a very senior role because, guess what, they didn't work their notice in a past company.
How would you know that from someone's CV?
Abouttoblow · 23/12/2021 01:11

RedPepperRisotto
You've read CV's that said "didn't work my notice?"
I'll take $5000 on things that didn't happen Alex Hmm

feelsobadfeltsogood · 23/12/2021 01:18

@Babyroobs

I'd just get a sicknote life is too short or sign on at an agency and just leave without working your notice - I did that once they didn't pay me for the full month as the agency wanted me immediately so I just told them

TerribleCustomerCervix · 23/12/2021 01:22

I recently finished up with my last employer- contracted to eight weeks notice despite only being there 8 months, and not in a senior position.

I asked to reduce it to four weeks and they said no. So I worked four weeks as normal, and for the next four weeks I was just running out the clock. No staying late as a favour, when the kids were ill and couldn’t go to nursery I called in absent instead of moving heaven and earth to get alternative childcare so I could work. I did the absolute minimum while still meeting my responsibilities.

And you know what? It felt amazing.

I know management were annoyed I’d decided to leave, hence zero flexibility on my notice period. But that works both ways, so that was the end of any goodwill from my end.

pinkcarpets · 23/12/2021 02:11

Could you have a conversation about/negotiate garden leave? I've done this previously

Original poster
Babyroobs · 23/12/2021 09:37

@TerribleCustomerCervix

I recently finished up with my last employer- contracted to eight weeks notice despite only being there 8 months, and not in a senior position.

I asked to reduce it to four weeks and they said no. So I worked four weeks as normal, and for the next four weeks I was just running out the clock. No staying late as a favour, when the kids were ill and couldn’t go to nursery I called in absent instead of moving heaven and earth to get alternative childcare so I could work. I did the absolute minimum while still meeting my responsibilities.

And you know what? It felt amazing.

I know management were annoyed I’d decided to leave, hence zero flexibility on my notice period. But that works both ways, so that was the end of any goodwill from my end.

This is what I will be doing today. Minimum working from now on. No more busting a gut whilst lazy colleagues do nothing.
OP posts:
msc6199 · 23/12/2021 10:22

Well done you, OP. Stand your ground. It isn't fair that so many people get away with being so lazy and bone idle! I left my previous job for this reason - best thing I ever did.

Life really is too short, please put yourself and your mental (and physical) health first. And if you need it, the 28 days self-certification sickness is always here!

Have a lovely Christmas xx