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Original poster

How to hand in notice when on sick leave?

2 replies

nononononononoooo · 09/06/2022 13:51

I'm on sick leave due to my mental health. I'm due to go back to work next week but I'm not ready to go back and don't think I'll ever be ready to go back. I'd rather have a fresh start somewhere else.

I need to hand in my notice, but I have no idea how to do it. Do I message my line manager informally on Teams to let them know I'm handing in my notice and then follow it with the formal email?

My notice period is 2 months, do I mention that in the resignation email or see what they say? What can I expect to happen when I hand in my notice?

OP posts:
maxelly · 09/06/2022 14:39

Hi, yes assuming you are on speaking terms with your manager I would message, text, Whatsapp or informally email them to warn them, ideally have a brief conversation first and then send in the formal email. I say have a conversation if you can face it, because it would be good to gauge with them their appetite for shortening your notice period - they may well be happy to shorten it if you are likely to remain on sick leave throughout but they'll need you to make the first move on it, I doubt they'll bring it up if you don't mention it first. Also your manager and/or HR would be strongly recommended under employment best practice to come back on any employees under this kind of circumstance to ask 'are you sure? can we do anything to make you change your mind?' and so on (otherwise they would be running the risk of you suing them for constructive dismissal or disability discrimination if you resigned on the spur of the moment and weren't given the opportunity to change your mind, especially if they agree to let you shorten your notice period). That kind of conversation can be a bit stressful so better to have it on your terms than theirs?

Original poster
nononononononoooo · 09/06/2022 16:52

maxelly · 09/06/2022 14:39

Hi, yes assuming you are on speaking terms with your manager I would message, text, Whatsapp or informally email them to warn them, ideally have a brief conversation first and then send in the formal email. I say have a conversation if you can face it, because it would be good to gauge with them their appetite for shortening your notice period - they may well be happy to shorten it if you are likely to remain on sick leave throughout but they'll need you to make the first move on it, I doubt they'll bring it up if you don't mention it first. Also your manager and/or HR would be strongly recommended under employment best practice to come back on any employees under this kind of circumstance to ask 'are you sure? can we do anything to make you change your mind?' and so on (otherwise they would be running the risk of you suing them for constructive dismissal or disability discrimination if you resigned on the spur of the moment and weren't given the opportunity to change your mind, especially if they agree to let you shorten your notice period). That kind of conversation can be a bit stressful so better to have it on your terms than theirs?

Thank you, that information is really helpful. I'll message my manager first before following it with the formal email.

Should I mention the notice period in the formal email, or just wait for their response? I think it's likely that my GP will continue to sign me off for the remainder of my notice period.

OP posts:
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