Working out notice period - what and how?

[OnceRuralNowUrbanbliss]

I've got a new job and have handed in my notice at current employer where I've been for a decade.

At the senior level I'm at I was obliged to give 12 weeks notice so this minus the annual leave owed to me takes me to the end of February.

I'm the accountable lead for over 20 large projects with a team under me as the main project resources but I'm up to date on all the initiatives (all or most are challenging in a unique way) plus know all the people from top down involved in each.

My leaving will create a vacancy which can't easily be filled (we've run a number of unsuccessful recruitment campaigns) which will cause stress and upset amongst my peers and the wider department.

My boss is telling me not to tell anyone 'just yet' which feels wrong as I need to start handing over or explaining what the onwards plan will be for projects I'm involved in.

Part of the reason I'm leaving is my boss and the ridiculous workload given to me despite my objections.

Now I'm on a countdown of less than 40 working days left other than transferring folders of useful docs and not killing myself with stress and overwhelm as I was before I accepted a new job what should I be doing?

Carrying on as normal but with a spring in my step and a delighted smile on my face?

What is to stop me from totally slacking off and not pulling my weight in these final weeks?

What is to stop me from totally slacking off and not pulling my weight in these final weeks?

Self respect? If you want to slack off and not work / work hard that's up to you. How would you feel if they slacked off and decided to only pay you 60% of your wages? Regardless of what you feel is justification, you have taken the money and continue to do so. So I would want to go out with my head held high, knowing that for all their faults, I had done my part honestly.

I get the feeling that he is going to make you a counter offer to stay with the business that is why he has asked you to not announce it yet. I think that this is especially the case considering that they have struggled to recruit.

Irrespective of what they offer you, you have to remember why you are leaving in the first place, I personally wouldn’t take any counter offer. They can’t recognise your value to the business prior to you resigning.
Just serve your notice period - it’s already started - and if the handover isn’t fully complete by your leave date then that is not your problem… it’s theirs.
Don’t stress about it.

The best thing to do is absolutely carry on as normal. If there’s no one to handover to then just write the handover notes and the onwards plan notes for the projects. You don’t yet know if the grass is actually greener in your new job yet so you may not want to burn any bridges by slacking off just in case you need to go back.

What is to stop me from totally slacking off and not pulling my weight in these final weeks?

What's to stop people doing loads of things? Morals usually.

Thanks all. Good points about the handover not being complete not being my problem but it will be my lovely colleagues' problems I guess.
I'll do my best but tricky when it's not yet known that I'll be off boarding.

Also good points about not burning bridges in case I want to work for my current employer again.

Luckily I have a high work ethic and always put in additional effort so won't be slacking off but was curious as to what contractual controls there might be.

Mind you I've had a total slacker on my team for two years who has literally done nothing apart from cause problems and drawn a fat salary for the entire time and performance improvement plan so drawn out that she just moves on upwards each time her bluff is called.

Can you start delegate some stuff as "career development" opportunities?

I recently changed job and my boss said the same thing. I kept quiet until my last month and told everyone in 1:1s. I made sure that things could be covered by documenting everything vigorously and thoroughly so that everyone would have something to check later- an instruction manual.
My ex boss still hasn't been able to replace me and despite me working my arse off in may last 3 months and finalising a lot of stuff - he stilll WhatsApp's me for advice. Drives me crazy.
You can only do what you can do.
Tell your colleagues when you are ready to not at your boss's behest.

I've had a similar situation.

It sounds like you're very conscientious and don't wish to leave a bad legacy. If you want to help and can't tell people yet, I would write as detailed as a handover of possible with links, detailed guide of who to speak to to get things done and a plan for the next 6 months. I did this in a job I left a year ago and the 'manual' I wrote is referred to as 'the bible' still in the team.

Or, if you don't want to do it just do your best in the time you have and completely divorce yourself from the work on your last day. It's not your problem.

Congratulations on your new role!

Thanks for the latest ideas I will do handover notes in written format with links to key docs plus housekeeping so all the most up to date materials are housed in an easy to find location with READ ME docs. This will keep me busy as have worked on loads of complex projects over the years so people come to me for subject matter expertise which often involves a long story telling session for context.

I have no one I can use to 'personal development' partly because my team is mainly contractors and the few junior permanent staff are all overstretched themselves.

I expect my boss will just announce it bluntly in an all-staff call which will be a terrible thing compared to the gentle 1-2-1 sessions idea. He's crap at comms and has zero emotional intelligence.

I'm excited to be leaving as it's turned proper crap in the last year and I've gone from loving my role to hating it. Lots of bad behaviours everywhere.

Plus I'm going to be paid loads more which as a single parent will be a huge lifestyle game changer.

Have you definitely agreed your final date? You’re not entitled to deduct unused annual leave from your notice - they can choose to pay it instead.

it’s a small world, I’d definitely continue to do your job to a high standard and leave impeccable notes. 40 working days is loads to handover though

I had a similar situation, which was saved by an indiscreet PA who congratulated me loudly in the office on my new job. A bit awkward but much easier once the cat was out of the bag!

I found it useful to have handover docs and videos explanations made by the person before me (no overlap between us due to recruitment freeze in between). This is also useful if they use a temporary contractor and the resources can be reused. Just check with your manager if this is allowed though.