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Original poster

Quitting during probation

18 replies

Butitsnotfunnyisititsserious · 01/08/2022 10:43

Hey Mumsnetters, just wondering if anyone has quit during a probation period after realising a job just wasn't right for them?
I started a new role 7 weeks ago, and I feel miserable. They keep throwing more work my way, the pay increase I was told I was getting, hasn't materialised and when asked was told they aren't sure on the budget for it. I was advised it would be 2 days hybrid now it's a minimum of 3, potentially 5.
I've had another job contact me offering me a permanent role, 2 days office work only and more holiday / pay. I want to take it but feel so guilty letting this job down and wasting all the training that's been given to me. I also don't feel they will take it well if I chose to leave. Any advice?! Do I stick it out and hope it gets better? Or just quit when the other role has the Contract ready to sign?

OP posts:

Jalisco · 01/08/2022 14:06

If the positions were reversed they wouldn't think twice about getting rid of you. So you shouldn't care what they think. Just go if that is what you want to do. Just give proper notice.

Hotandflustered · 01/08/2022 14:12

I don’t know but glad you’ve asked.

My only experience has been when I’ve felt not suited/capable of doing job, went through an induction once for a kind of pushy sales role, knew I had to leave and ending up resigning as a immediate effect when notice should have been a week, all these months later I felt I was grateful for that experience, something the manager at that time said about resilience came very useful for me in my current role in a roundabout way.

This job and my last both had contracts which states a month’s notice in force from day 1 so it really makes me think it is harder if nearly competent/employer happy with performance.

Original poster

Butitsnotfunnyisititsserious · 01/08/2022 16:27

If the positions were reversed they wouldn't think twice about getting rid of you.

This is true and it's a good thing for me to remember!

This job and my last both had contracts which states a month’s notice in force from day 1 so it really makes me think it is harder if nearly competent/employer happy with performance.

Makes me glad my notice period is a week currently! I don't think I could do a months notice at this place, then again, I'd probably have too if I'd passed probation.

OP posts:

Guineapiggiesmalls · 01/08/2022 16:37

I handed my notice in during probation. I was as polite as possible, the job wasn’t as advertised and I felt that it would therefore be better suited to someone else. I also had a weeks notice rising to a week after probation, which was partly why I handed notice in when I did.

JonahAndTheSnail · 01/08/2022 19:31

I think it's just one of those things. I run a small business with DP and we took on a new member of staff at the start of this month. He quit out of the blue last week after asking us for more hours and us giving him exactly the hours he asked for, so the resignation was pretty unexpected.

In the short term it's irritating, as our only other member of staff has two weeks annual leave booked for this and next week, so were going to have to close for a couple of hours to hold interviews. In the long term, if a job's not a good fit for someone and they don't think there's anything we can offer to improve things, I'd rather they resign sooner rather than later. I would suggest asking for a talk with your manager to see if there's anything that can be done first. If a new recruit felt like I wasn't offering them what we'd agree to at interview, then that feedback would be useful for the future. It may be your employer needs to update the job description etc.

midairchallenger · 01/08/2022 19:41

It happens. People get over it.

If you can't even face the prospect of working a month's notice that doesn't really bode well for trying to stay in this role long term!

WhereYouLeftIt · 01/08/2022 19:55

Given what you've said, I wouldn't hesitate to move to the other job! You took this job at an agreed pay and conditions, and the employer has reneged on both. No pay rise as promised, changing your hours - fuck 'em!

Remember, probation cuts both ways. You were on probation to them, but more importantly here, they were on probation to you - and they've failed their probation by reneging on agreed pay and working hours.

"I want to take it but feel so guilty letting this job down and wasting all the training that's been given to me. I also don't feel they will take it well if I chose to leave."
Who cares how THEY take it? Seriously, not something you should be considering. Don't feel guilty, they did this to themselves by messing you around. And you should make that absolutely clear to them when you tell them you're leaving. It's their own fault. I'd put that in writing - 'it's your own fault that I'm leaving'.

Titsflyingsouth · 01/08/2022 20:18

This sums it up brilliantly.

Original poster

Butitsnotfunnyisititsserious · 01/08/2022 20:27

Thank you all. It's definitely made the decision easier in my head! I'm going to take the other role and just be honest in my resignation that the role isn't as expected and I don't feel it's for me.
I do like the people, but that's definitely not enough! If they ask for more feedback, I'll give it to them politely.
It's a shame but I don't want to stay and be miserable, for the sake of feeling guilty over the training I've had!

This is something I'm going to keep remembering for sure, it's very true!

OP posts:

Eyelatch · 10/08/2022 22:06

OP, I’m in a similar position. (Except I haven’t got another job to go to…)

I’m only a week in and I strongly suspect this is not for me. My problem is that there is nothing in my contract about a probation period or notice! I have no idea where I stand.

Badger1970 · 10/08/2022 22:27

DH and I run a small business. We view probationary periods as a trial on both sides. It can be a nuisance in terms of admin and replacement when someone leaves early but if someone's not happy then they're never going to be a long term team member and it's better to know early on.

Just don't get your Mum to ring in for you as we had recently with a 35 year old woman still living at home and then had the cheek to put us down as a reference for another job !

Original poster

Butitsnotfunnyisititsserious · 11/08/2022 07:49

Eyelatch · 10/08/2022 22:06

OP, I’m in a similar position. (Except I haven’t got another job to go to…)

I’m only a week in and I strongly suspect this is not for me. My problem is that there is nothing in my contract about a probation period or notice! I have no idea where I stand.

Ahh you may not have a notice period if you're on probation? If there's nothing in your contract signed, I would have thought you could just leave. Not sure though, can't ask HR without alerting them 😞 hopefully you can find a job that's a much better fit for you 🤞🏼

OP posts:

Original poster

Butitsnotfunnyisititsserious · 11/08/2022 07:51

Badger1970 · 10/08/2022 22:27

Just don't get your Mum to ring in for you as we had recently with a 35 year old woman still living at home and then had the cheek to put us down as a reference for another job !

Yeah that is true. I suppose an unhappy team member could begin to rub off on the rest of the team too.
Oh wow! No I could never do that, even when I was young, I've never got my parents to do that. That's shocking! And to put you down for a reference 🤦🏻‍♀️

OP posts:

Whitehorsegirl · 11/08/2022 08:15

The probation period is also for the employee to decide if the job is right for them or not.

I would hand out my notice in your situation.

They misrepresented several aspects of the job (pay, hybrid working) so it is a sign that this not a company you want to stay with.

CrabbitBastard · 11/08/2022 22:20

Normally I'd say stick with it and it can get better (it did for me)

However in your case, the job is not what you expected.

They said it was hybrid and its not, they offered increased pay that hasn't materialised, and they are giving you more workload than expected.

You've been offered a job with better pay and conditions, so take it!

Sickdissapointed · 30/05/2023 21:58

I had 2 clear scans after cancer treatment. Took a job and started training. Trained for 45 hrs a week for 4 weeks. ( only full time available I asked) Then had some very bad news about my cancer prognosis. The stress of full time training and my prognosis was too much for me. I resigned. To my horror when pay day came and went, i realised I was not being paid. This is a very large organisation. I feel very disappointed.
Any advice is welcome
Thank you

Whatyoutalkingabouteh · 30/05/2023 22:49

Think of yourself… the probation is also for you to see if the job is suitable not just for an employer. If something better comes along take it! You owe them nothing

prh47bridge · 30/05/2023 23:22

@Sickdissapointed You would be better off starting your own thread. As you can see from the last post, people will not realise this is an old thread and will answer the OP.

Whether you can do anything about your situation depends on your contract. It may allow them to recover training costs if you leave early. If not, you have a case against your ex-employer for unlawful deduction of wages.

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