Help me hand my notice in please..

[rosielovesit]

I need some encouragement and I'm hoping the wise world of mumsnet can help me.

Short story is I work in a finance department and have done for the last 3.5 years. My boss is a cow, plain and simple, she's been at the company for nearly 20 years and has become very bitter and unpleasant in that time (people who have been there a long time say she used to be better). I have never loved it, I feel overworked and taken advantage of. I don't get much of a thanks and I feel very stressed 95% of the time.
I've seen 9 colleagues come and go because of her, and dealt with the fall out of that, then training up another person and them leaving etc.

Anyway I have gritted my teeth and stuck with it, but had baby no 2 last year and since coming back to work after may leave I have found it very very hard work and now my DC1 is about to start school I am planning to leave.

I have a 3 month notice period but this isn't an issue as I have paid for DC1's breakfast club for the first term, so I am happy to hand it In at the end of this month and then never return after Xmas - wahooo!

Only thing is I am getting myself nervous about doing it, when, what time of day to pull her for a chat etc? do I have the letter in my hand ready, so she'll know instantly what I'm doing!?
Will I be able to get a new job after Xmas starting Jan, what are the chances of me being out of work etc.

I just need to words of encouragement so would appreciate any responses!

Just email your resignation to her and copy in HR first thing in the morning. Then its done, and you can just repeat 'I've decided to pursue other opportunities' like a broken record to any questions while mentally sticking a finger up. Then polish up your CV and get applying for new jobs

Just bite the bullet and do it OP! Have your letter ready and do it first thing in the morning. Remember you don't owe her anything and don't feel guilty. I imagine you will feel immense relief once it's done !

I’d just email it as an attachment with an email saying ‘happy to chat’ or something.

The timing does need to be that I finish at Xmas to fit In with DCs bookings at school so I will wait until the end of the month.
But that's a good shout about maybe just emailing it over and chatting later, only thing is because I will be working 3 months longer, I would prefer not to piss her off.

As she is such an unpleasant manager, I would not even bother to tell her in person.

Send the resignation by email and copy HR.

Also, if you have some annual leave left you could try to suggest that you would like to use this to shorten your notice period.

You don't need to even back it up with a chat. Just hand your notice in. You don't owe her anything by the sounds of it.

How will you manage financially if you don't get another job?

If you resign you won't qualify for benefits for around five months or something worrying like that.

It sounds like you're at a big crossroads, and it's totally understandable to feel nervous about taking that step, especially after such a challenging work environment. You’ve put up with a lot, and it’s clear you’re prioritising your well-being and your family, which is something to be proud of for sure.

When it comes to handing in your notice, it’s always good to have a plan. Having the letter in hand can give you a sense of control and finality. Maybe schedule a time early in the day for the conversation, so you're not anxious about it all day, because I know I would be. You’ve given so much to the company, and they owe you that same respect back.

As for what comes next, it’s completely normal to worry about finding a job after a break. I actually recently came back from a way longer break than that and I used a company called ivee. They specialise in helping women and parents return to work after career breaks so they have flexible jobs on the platform. They also helped me rewrite my CV because I didnt have much of an idea of where to start!! So they are definitely an option if you get stuck after Xmas.

You've already decided to prioritise what matters most, and that's a bold and brave move. Keep that strength with you through the next steps—you’ve got this!

@mumoftwocrazykidss thank you! I will bear that in mind :-)

I will report back when I've done it.

Good luck!