Toxic work environment

[Littlebluedot]

Hi

So I'm in the last week of my notice period at a job.. I've only been in post since Jan but have found it very boring and the people are clicky.

Anyway when I handed my resignation in they all sent me message saying we're sorry your leaving bla bla.

Over the bank holiday weekend me and my fiance booked our wedding in Cyprus, we booked it and paid the deposit.. When I went in to work on Tuesday I told my work colleagues this.

Yesterday I accidentally saw some teams message between two of my colleague because it was open on the screen..

The messages where basically slagging me off saying

Saying things like "surprised she's even in". And what's she even doing here....

And her body might be here but her brain isn't

"probably planning her wedding"

As you can imagine I found this quite hurtful especially from one of them that was acting all nice.

Anyway I rang in sick today and I've got a sick note for the next week because I just don't want to be in this environment anymore..

Do we think this is the right thing to do?

I don't think what they were saying was particularly bad - I've said similar about outgoing colleagues with no malice - because it is often true!

Having been there for 5 months and already in your notice, just move on. Even if you didn't have the fit note, they wouldn't say or do anything about you failing to complete your notice.

Best advice, put this totally out of your mind and look forward to your wedding.

I think it's unprofessional. You're not really sick because two of your colleagues are moaning about you in what was meant to be a private message.

But you clearly don't like the job and are about to leave, so I guess it won't bother you. Hopefully you won't be reliant on more than a brief factual reference from them.

I would be hurt but I would also think that this is a good example of the reason I am leaving. Personally I would not have asked for a sick note because of it though. I'd have probably just carried on, finished my notice and taken the high road.

I would have called them out on it. It would have been nice to see them squirm.

They did say other things like they where glad I'm going and laughing at me planning my wedding.

I already feel anxious and stressed about the whole situation

I can understand why you felt hurt by that. Everyone has a different capacity to deal with things and we all respond in different ways - you're not doing anyone any harm by calling in sick, the world keeps turning and their business keeps running, so look after yourself.

It’s hardly the worse slagging off in the world, is it? On the face of it you are being far too sensitive… but maybe there’s more to it. I rather think though, what do you expect? you haven’t worked out in the job, you’ve only known them a few months, you’re sharing personal information with a team you’re about to leave.

In this situation I would expect conversations to go along the lines “morning, did you have a good bank holiday weekend?” “Yes thanks, nice to have the extra day but shame about the weather!” “Haha yes same”. Then buckle down to work. No personal chatter with a clicky team you’re leaving!

I have frequently made jokes with my hard-working colleagues when someone is on notice period, we’re often surprised when people turn up for their last few weeks if they haven’t worked out in the job! It’s not meant unkindly, just a general eye-roll especially jf a team member didn’t work hard before they quit, we all think “well now you can’t expect much from them during their notice period”.

I would return to work and hold your head high, buckle down and get a few last days of work done. Because you’re not sick are you? You’re not even stressed really. Just feel a bit uncomfortable. Hardly a reason to take the whole week off!

@firebrand123 that's my thoughts, I've only a week left and at this point being there isn't helping my mental health so id rather just go now.