Notice when a remote worker/Employer may be or may not be happy with resignation.

[Wahey1980]

Hi,

Sorry if I ramble on. I just have some questions or thoughts around notice in a remote job.

I have a 99% remote job I've been in for 3 months (haven't been deemed as passing probation yet so from the contract I have notice is one week) my concern in leaving is that for the last week can they ask that I attend the work place physically?

Also it's kind of difficult why I am leaving - I don't dislike the job fully like I have some in my past, just a role has come up that I always wanted to get into whilst personally struggling it not being great timing - my understanding is my current company do not like when someone say's they don't like the workplace so I'm super keen to avoid that. (recently some fellow workers got the elbow saying they were dismissed and worked no notice but the Employer has turned it on them, saying actually behind closed doors they were told by those they 'let go' they didn't like the job much to my shock and surprise.

Whilst trying to keep a hold that the company (medium sized) will probably and hopefully act professional, I'd be resigning in such a quiet/lack of work to go round period that I worry on the other hand the Employer could let me go immediately. I have access to their systems, hold responsibility for doing refunds and haven't been there long plus with not quite reaching target to pass probation in part due to very limited work, (it is quite bad, people will snatch other people's work).

Thanks for reading.

What is actually concerning you? That remote work may not be available, and you would need to go to the office? Or they might dismiss you with no notice (they need to pay you notice, whether they ask you to work it ir not, afaik)? Or some other issue?

So you're applying for another job or have you been offered another job?

If offered you'd preferred job, definitely take it. Resign as per terms of your contractual terms. If they choose to let you go immediately then that's up to them, but I might take this into account with timing of giving notice (as far as you're able).

Certainly don't mention any dissatisfaction with current company, no need to burn bridges.

Been offered a job after a whirlwind interview. I'm sure I'm doing the right thing, it's a job I've always wanted to get into, short drive from home, £500 more per year even, just really regretful timing.

Just being silly I wondered if current employer could force me into the office once notice goes in (whilst we're in same county and technically they are further away from me than new employer to be) there's a diesel shortage in my area which I hope is short-term).

I appreciate I've got to keep the current employer on side for the likes of a reference, suppose it is going to go one way or other.

I'm not really sure what you're concerns are, you just resign and work your notice period. If they try and force you in (not sure why they would) then just say no, the exception being if you have equipment to return maybe.

What does your contract say about your place of work?

Thanks for the further thought, my current employer refuses to write WFH in the contract, despite eventually planning move to much smaller offices as the only security they wouldn't be able to recall everyone back non remote. But fortunately there was a comms released overnight about the office move happening quicker then I expected so I think I might just avoid it. I've also now learnt one of the last left in our training group has already been made permanent in passing probation so that is something to feel less guilty about.

To be honest I've tied in resigning as much as possible to give me more of a monthly wage - now I work bank holidays coming up with current employer, they are normal working days and management should be around and I'm wanting to hand notice in - or does anyone think I should do it before?

I was just concerned with it being so very quiet, putting notice in it may give rise to the 'she's been useless in a reference and then had the cheek to get a week on us! (though I did lose 3/4 holiday days in the last quarter when I couldn't take holiday) Sadly I don't have a lot of experience with what happens when one resigns where I am only the other way round.

she's been useless in a reference and then had the cheek to get a week on us!

They won't put anything of the kind in your reference. The most it will be is "worked from x to y date as a paperclip administrator".

You are on a contractual 1 week notice period. They aren't going to bother forcing you back into the office. What would be the point? They'll be as eager as you to close off your employment, once you tender your resignation.

You will need to go back there if you have company property to hand back. Agree the date/time for that, ie to present yourself there sometime on your last working day, keep any communications short and factual.

Try not to overthink it, you're 5 working days from being rid of the problem if you're on a 5 day working week.

Just resign anyway. You're not an indentured slave and it's only a week. If thsy do start kicking up a fuss the whole week will be over before any formalities can get going. If necessary you could go off sick or be fully able to WFH but unfortunately unable to go into the office due to the unfortunate positive lateral flow test that you will take on the morning of the first day you are requested to go in.

Write a resignation stating you enjoyed your 3 months with them but have accepted a more local job.

Can you book holiday for the last week.

If you keep your resignation neutral then I suspect the week will just pass working as you presently do.

Poor Management lacks the capacity to reflect and instead acts defensively

This seems like a lot of angst over a complete non-issue. OP are you prone to overthinking things? The reference your current employer ultimately provides is highly unlikely to be the character assassination you’re imagining.

Can you book holiday for the last week.

No, this is a sore point. It's takes 2 weeks notice to book holiday which I suppose should be a comfort that there will be an expectation to work notice. The company team leaders said holiday wouldn't be allowed to new starters in their busy period in old holiday year.. I'm expecting to lose past holiday pay and I've reached a point I'm not bothered. A new holiday year started on the 1st of April ironically at which point it's turned quiet so whilst the company say no redundancies are to be made, no one now can really take holiday. I've a day off next week which I'd booked as the earliest possible so hoping they will honour that as I checked I've accrued it, depending on how it all pans out.

Thanks for the guidance on the letter writing.

Could they get funny and say resignation has to go to a certain manager? I asked yesterday to request to speak with someone/know management availability over the coming days but that wasn't so forthcoming, there is a HR department but they just push everything back to the contact centre managers.

I do think you are over thinking this.

Email your resignation to your manager cc to HR. Get a read receipt on the emails so you have proof when they read it.

You should be paid for any Annual Leave you are not able to take. Reference will be factual.

@GinPalace2

I do think you are over thinking this.

Email your resignation to your manager cc to HR. Get a read receipt on the emails so you have proof when they read it.

You should be paid for any Annual Leave you are not able to take. Reference will be factual.

This, plus state that you'll be taking x date off as already booked as annual leave, and that you expect to be paid any outstanding AL/days in lieu of bank holiday that you've not been able to take.

Thanks this has armed me well.

Thanks again all.