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Original poster

Resigned from job but don't want to work notice

27 replies

QuacketyQuack · 13/05/2023 19:23

I work in mental health, I started my job in March but I hate it. I resigned and I have 6 weeks notice to work. I went off sick last week but I just don't want to go back, it's been hard and I dread it, feeling a horrible knot in my stomach and constantly thinking about work. Is there anyway I can just leave without working my notice, I don't know if I can back 5 weeks. I have a week off for half term so really it's 4 weeks but I just don't want to go back at all. I work for NHS, any advice please ?

OP posts:
Doggymummar · 13/05/2023 19:26

If you only started in March notice should be a week until you pass probation in my industry. Why so long? But sure don't do it if you don't qpwant to. It's not like you will get a reference anyways

HatchetJob · 13/05/2023 19:57

I would have a discussion with HR and explain. They know that you will probably go on the sick and often they will just release you.

Hatemylife2023 · 14/05/2023 01:28

My employer had a a reference request from an employer doubly quick though it is ok.

all this crap that am employer will sign ok you are leaving and that that leave 10 months is a fit far fetched. Sorry I’ve never heard heard of glowing one month nor given notice.

Why do dbs’s exist, emails clearly can’t read em or exist then.

sawandnotseen · 14/05/2023 02:22

Sorry you are feeling so bad. Surely, you are still in your probation period so notice should only be a week? Check your contract but I've never known of such a lengthy notice period when you are still on probation.
@Hatemylife2023 sorry but could you read your post and amend it, maybe it's me, but I cannot understand it at all.

Monty27 · 14/05/2023 02:47

6 weeks. Really?

FANCHEA · 14/05/2023 10:05

If you explain, they will probably let you go and they will deduct all leave etc. due. You need to communicate with your manager though! They are not a mind reader! It's also unlikely they will give a reference as you've not been there long enough.

In the nhs there isn't a probationary period unless you're a NQ nurse, so pp comments about that not relevant.

Totalwasteofpaper · 14/05/2023 10:12

FANCHEA · 14/05/2023 10:05

If you explain, they will probably let you go and they will deduct all leave etc. due. You need to communicate with your manager though! They are not a mind reader! It's also unlikely they will give a reference as you've not been there long enough.

In the nhs there isn't a probationary period unless you're a NQ nurse, so pp comments about that not relevant.

This.

But honeslty its a month. You sound like you have fairly low resilience.
Is it management or the role thats the problem?

Original poster
QuacketyQuack · 14/05/2023 11:11

Yes there's no probationary period in NHS.
It's the job role, management are fine.
Maybe I do have low resilience but trying to manage patients with psychosis living in the community is really not for me.

OP posts:
musicalold · 14/05/2023 11:12

QuacketyQuack · 14/05/2023 11:11

Yes there's no probationary period in NHS.
It's the job role, management are fine.
Maybe I do have low resilience but trying to manage patients with psychosis living in the community is really not for me.

The is definitely a probationary period in the NHS. Speak to HR.

Toddlerteaplease · 14/05/2023 11:13

FANCHEA · 14/05/2023 10:05

If you explain, they will probably let you go and they will deduct all leave etc. due. You need to communicate with your manager though! They are not a mind reader! It's also unlikely they will give a reference as you've not been there long enough.

In the nhs there isn't a probationary period unless you're a NQ nurse, so pp comments about that not relevant.

No probationary period for newly qualified nurses either.

musicalold · 14/05/2023 11:13

Also speak to occupational health if you feel that staying in your current role is detrimental to your health and wellbeing

musicalold · 14/05/2023 11:15

Why are people saying there's no probationary period for NHS jobs? There most definitely is.

Ladybug14 · 14/05/2023 11:23

Quick Google shows that there IS a probationary period for all NHS trusts

Greenfairydust · 14/05/2023 11:29

''@Totalwasteofpaper
But honeslty its a month. You sound like you have fairly low resilience. ''

Completely inappropriate comment.

You know nothing of the OP or of her circumstances.

Dealing with people with mental health issues when you are struggling yourself mentally and physically is also not appropriate because you would not be able to give them the best possible care.

It is the sensible decision to make to want to remove yourself from that environment rather than risk making the wrong decision when you have vulnerable people in your care.

Back to you OP:

Check your contract and what notice you have to give if you are still in your probation period. Negotiate to take any outstanding days off and if you are really too unwell, ask your GP to sign you off for the duration of your notice.

I worked with people with mental health issues and other complex needs and it was really draining and frankly dangerous. The environment itself felt unsafe (I was expected to work with people who had committed serious offences like rape and even murder) and I had concerns that the charity I worked for was forcing us to support people we were not really equipped/trained to work with without the right safeguarding measures in place.

I am having the same issue at the moment working with homeless people with complex needs (although I am no longer front line staff) and working in unsafe environment and I am making plans to live the sector entirely because of it.

I think with cuts to services, short-staffing and increased demand for mental health support staff are just burning out and I completely understand how you would want to quit that type of job.

Original poster
QuacketyQuack · 14/05/2023 11:29

I have moved jobs within the same trust, so I don't think I have a probationary period.

OP posts:
Ladybug14 · 14/05/2023 11:30

QuacketyQuack · 14/05/2023 11:29

I have moved jobs within the same trust, so I don't think I have a probationary period.

Your contract will tell you

Speak to HR if you don't want to work the 4 weeks (if it is 4 weeks)

bluetongue · 14/05/2023 12:20

Everyone else in the NHS seems to take sick leave at the drop of a hat so I guess you could just do that.

YankeeDad · 14/05/2023 12:35

@QuacketyQuack With the caveat that I know nothing about the legal ins and outs, here is one idea which you could consider and about which you could possibly seek a second opinion from individuals more expert than myself:

Could you tell HR that you are concerned that your own safety and also patient safety will be compromised if you continue in the role through the notice period? It sounds as though it might be true. And if they hear the word "safety" they might start worrying about bad press and/or a lawsuit, and then quickly accede to your request not to continue in that role.

kilos · 14/05/2023 12:59

FANCHEA · 14/05/2023 10:05

If you explain, they will probably let you go and they will deduct all leave etc. due. You need to communicate with your manager though! They are not a mind reader! It's also unlikely they will give a reference as you've not been there long enough.

In the nhs there isn't a probationary period unless you're a NQ nurse, so pp comments about that not relevant.

This is categorically not true. In my Trust there is a 6 month probation period for any new starters, clinical or non clinical.
Trusts are of course different and yours may not to do, but don't say all of them don't when you don't know.

Mumof1andacat · 14/05/2023 13:00

I work for thenhs and unless you are new to the nhs, which op is not, then there is no probation

PrincessofWellies · 14/05/2023 13:05

Ask your gp to sign you off for the full period. Mine was very helpful and just asked me what I needed. Gave me a further 4 week sick note to take me up to the notice period. I used it to find another job.

kilos · 14/05/2023 13:08

Mumof1andacat · 14/05/2023 13:00

I work for thenhs and unless you are new to the nhs, which op is not, then there is no probation

Again, not true. If you change Trust's it can also apply (which is a situation I have been in)
I get people not knowing but why say if you don't know!

NurseCranesRolodex · 14/05/2023 13:09

Get signed off for 4 weeks, you sound extremely anxious.

Mooshamoo · 14/05/2023 13:12

First of all don't worry about it. Some jobs don't suit you.

It would be best for you to have a chat with a manager and say that you don't feel that you can do this job, and it will not be good for the patients if you continue in this job.

Notice can be flexible. Just ask.

Mooshamoo · 14/05/2023 13:13

Or you can give notice and get the doctor to sign you off sick for four weeks for anxiety