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Original poster

Should I lob in a grenade on the way out?

112 replies

MackenCheese · 11/10/2023 08:26

Hello wise people. I have been unceremoniously sacked from my job. Not performance related, just the company using IR35 to get rid of people after 2 years. I did not know this was a thing when I joined. My colleague/ manager is very lazy, does not contribute to the team effort, and spends his whole time hobnobbing with senior management and external clients whilst Ithe rest of us do all the grafting (we are equally well qualified btw). I really want to let senior management know what he's like, mainly because he lied to my face when my role was ending and got someone else to do it, he does not do his day job and is taking the company for an expensive ride. He does have form for getting people sacked or pulled up for 'bullying' for complaining about him, but I'm leaving the business anyway. Who thinks I should have a meeting with senior managers, send a goodbye letter to the team hinting about the injustice, and to watch their backs (i know I'm feeling angry/bitter) or should I just walk away? Please don't say just walk away 😆

OP posts:
Littlegreene82 · 11/10/2023 08:29

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Megifer · 11/10/2023 08:30

Ir35? Are you a contractor?

lemonraincoat · 11/10/2023 08:30

Keep your dignity. Walk.

Springcleaninginsummer · 11/10/2023 08:30

Do you want your ex-colleagues to remember you as that crazy woman who sent a weird letter or as a mature professional that they used to work with? If you know anyone well enough to have a coffee with in a few week's time then you can quietly suggest that all is not well, but you don't actually have any grenades to lob.

MidnightOnceMore · 11/10/2023 08:32

I think it's a waste of energy. Focus on your future.

PickledPurplePickle · 11/10/2023 08:32

You're not an employee if IR35 comes into play, so you can't be sacked.

Leave it, keep your head high and just go

tanstaafl · 11/10/2023 08:33

IF they already know what he’s like, it suggests they’re of a similar nature and there’s a unwritten rule not to upset the easy life they have.
While it might make you feel a lot better to speak out its possible that it’ll just be as @Littlegreene82 says.

IDontHateRainbows · 11/10/2023 08:34

Going against the grain here. I was one of a number of people treated badly by a senior. When I left I sent a '4.59' email ( ie, press send, walk out) on my last day with some 'feedback ' to her boss.
I know a number of other people left and / or complained about her. Last I heard she was a changed character and started actually doing her job properly and not bullying her team.

I realise it wasn't just me, but I like to think I played a part in whatever happened to her.

Keep it very professional if you do this though, don't whinge.

Littlegreene82 · 11/10/2023 08:34

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Notanotherhousepost · 11/10/2023 08:34

You've had your contract terminated you weren't sacked.

C'est la vie - tis the life of a contractor.

Remember, your contract is only as guaranteed as your last signed time sheet.

and I say that as a contractor of 25 years.

Glarptip · 11/10/2023 08:35

Your lazy hobnobbing colleague/manager could teach you a lot, by the sound of that lot.

OnAir · 11/10/2023 08:38

I did, it resulted in multiple people being dismissed I had nothing to lose at that point was the most comical sacking I think my manager had to do was so satisfying to know they lost their jobs after thinking they were untouchable. These people were cunts and fully deserved it. Just before Christmas too. Best thing is they knew it was me! Wankers. I've walked away from a few jobs quietly and always felt some way about it not that time.

AIstolemylunch · 11/10/2023 08:38

This is standard for a contractor, am surprised you didn't know this. A contract lasting more than 2 years is pretty rare these days thanks to the Tories and IR35.

It's a pretty small world so my advice as an ex-cotractir of 10 years is just walk away.

Littlegreene82 · 11/10/2023 08:39

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Littlegoth · 11/10/2023 08:40

Are you genuinely outside IR35 (ie you can send a substitute person into work in your place), or are you actually an employee and they are using IR35 so they don’t have to pay your NI or any benefits?

Also the IR35 2 year rule is a myth. There’s no limit to how long you can work for a single employer before you have to go ‘inside’. If you can’t substitute, you are already ‘inside’.

if you are actually a disguised employee and have been there for 2 years (or even almost 2 years) it’s worth having a chat to ACAS as this might actually be a redundancy rather than an end of contract.

Janieforever · 11/10/2023 08:40

What will,you say, he’s lazy and hobnobs, I mean cmon that’s hardly some disciplinary advice. And how didn’t you know, you were a contractor.

OnAir · 11/10/2023 08:41

3 to be precise. I was still employed at that point. It's a long story but there was much more to it than someone being lazy and not doing their job properly.

fattytum · 11/10/2023 08:42

I doesn't sound like you actually have a grenade to lob, tbh, and I think you will look malicious and petty, and blow any chance of a reference

Youthinkthatsbad · 11/10/2023 08:47

No don't do it. You've nothing to gain. I'm a contractor in an industry I used be employed in and it's just as well I've left every single job on good terms as I repeatedly cross paths with ex employers, many of whom are now clients. Our industry is pretty small though so maybe depends on sector.

PictureFrameWindow · 11/10/2023 08:53

Don't sour the well if you're freelance. But if you have any kind of exit interview it's often possible the drop a few hints to HR of a bigger boss.

JFDIYOLO · 11/10/2023 08:53

Don't.

Connect with everyone worthwhile on LinkedIn, keep up an 'it's all going brilliantly' face there, make sure they know what you're doing at the moment.

Keep the like, trust, understand relationships going - it's how contractors work.

A contract can be terminated any time - yes, we are vulnerable. All they owe us is our last month's pay and whatever pension.

So we need other strings to our bows - consultancy, writing articles, self produced work.

Your brand is what they say about you when you're not in the room.

The last thing you want is for your personal and professional reputation to include negatives, which it will if you do that.

Newgirls · 11/10/2023 08:54

No.

do talk about him to trusted colleagues to let off steam but that’s it

SylvieLaufeydottir · 11/10/2023 08:55

fattytum · 11/10/2023 08:42

I doesn't sound like you actually have a grenade to lob, tbh, and I think you will look malicious and petty, and blow any chance of a reference

This. You'll just look like a loon, and have burnt all your reference bridges down to the ground.

Coldinscotland · 11/10/2023 08:57

Shove some prawns at the back of a drawer or cabinet...

Trevorton · 11/10/2023 08:59

Youthinkthatsbad · 11/10/2023 08:47

No don't do it. You've nothing to gain. I'm a contractor in an industry I used be employed in and it's just as well I've left every single job on good terms as I repeatedly cross paths with ex employers, many of whom are now clients. Our industry is pretty small though so maybe depends on sector.

This.

I was going to say something similar. I too work in a very niche/small industry and it is amazing how many people I bump into or find myself working with after working with them years ago. Best to remain professional and leave with your head held high as you never know when you might cross paths again.