Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Work

Chat with other users about all things related to working life on our Work forum.

Original poster

Leaving before I have a new job - currently hating life (marketing/PR)

13 replies

PeachOrca · 06/01/2025 19:02

Hi all, sorry if this runs on a bit long I am desperate for advice.

I have spent my career working in the communications/marketing/PR/events world and always absolutely loved my job. I got approached to join a company (HQ not based in the U.K.) and start an entire comms department for them. The U.K. has become a primary market for them so they are trying to increase the U.K. office headcount and move a lot of functions they outsourced in house.

My first few weeks were a bit bumpy as my manager was very allusive and never seemed to be available to me. Then, they had a horrific accident and took in total almost 10 months off to recover. In that time they were checking in with the company regularly and had semi-regular contact with the rest of their direct reports who had all been there some time. I received one email asking me to outline what I was working on and any questions I had. I sent quite a lengthy reply (including questions) and received a ‘sounds like you’re doing great’ response and that was all.

While my manager was away, I realised the company culture is horrible and staff turnover is really high. Now my manager has been back a few months and I have learnt how utterly incompetent and useless they are. I resent having to have everything go through them, on top of other wider issues in the company contributing to it being an awful place to work. My workload is huge but I am bored to tears and miserable and have no motivation. I have started to feel really depressed and struggle to get out of bed and have withdrawn socially to avoid actually having to talk about work with anyone.

I have been looking for jobs for a few months but it seems the market it awful at the moment. My notice period is 6 months and I am tempted to just hand it in in the hopes that I will find a new job in 6 months, however this workplace is so spiteful I wouldn’t be surprised if they told me to leave right away.

DH and I have no kids and some savings between us but obviously I have no idea how long I would potentially be out of work for. Anyone in marketing/comms have any advice? Anyone recently gone freelance in this area, how is that market looking?

OP posts:
Original poster
PeachOrca · 06/01/2025 19:44

Bump

OP posts:
JuneFromBethesda · 07/01/2025 20:28

I can’t help with regard to the current state of play in your industry, but a year ago I was in a similar position to you, absolutely miserable in a stressful job, working for an organisation with a high staff turnover and endless problems. I applied for several other jobs but without success, and eventually reached my limit and handed in my notice even though I didn’t have a new job to go to.

It took me a couple of months to find something new, unfortunately that job turned out to be a disaster as well 😭 but I was headhunted for another new job which I started six weeks ago. I’m absolutely loving it - interesting work, friendly supportive colleagues and a great atmosphere in the office. And no stress (so far! 😄) I’m still pinching myself, it feels amazing to enjoy work again. I’m so glad I took the leap and left the job I was in a year ago, it was a horrible time but totally worth it in the end.

i just wanted to give you a bit of hope - there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I feel like a different person. Good luck!

PrincessAnne4Eva · 07/01/2025 20:31

OMG I could have written this 12 months ago. I just quit in the end. I'll PM you somewhere you can work as a stopgap if you need money while you're contemplating your next move. Get onto Indeed ASAP though!

Original poster
PeachOrca · 07/01/2025 20:42

@JuneFromBethesda thank you so much, that’s good to know. I am in a similar position where my last job was awful and now I’m really questioning my judgement in not being able to detect awful workplaces 🥴

@PrincessAnne4Eva crazy how many people are in a similar position. Thank you for the lead!

OP posts:
FerretChops · 07/01/2025 20:44

A 6 month notice period?! Blimey

Original poster
PeachOrca · 07/01/2025 20:46

FerretChops · 07/01/2025 20:44

A 6 month notice period?! Blimey

I know, I can’t believe I agreed to it. I think it’s to try offset the huge staff turnover. I should have run a mile at the start…

OP posts:
Eimz86mk · 07/01/2025 20:49

PeachOrca · 06/01/2025 19:02

Hi all, sorry if this runs on a bit long I am desperate for advice.

I have spent my career working in the communications/marketing/PR/events world and always absolutely loved my job. I got approached to join a company (HQ not based in the U.K.) and start an entire comms department for them. The U.K. has become a primary market for them so they are trying to increase the U.K. office headcount and move a lot of functions they outsourced in house.

My first few weeks were a bit bumpy as my manager was very allusive and never seemed to be available to me. Then, they had a horrific accident and took in total almost 10 months off to recover. In that time they were checking in with the company regularly and had semi-regular contact with the rest of their direct reports who had all been there some time. I received one email asking me to outline what I was working on and any questions I had. I sent quite a lengthy reply (including questions) and received a ‘sounds like you’re doing great’ response and that was all.

While my manager was away, I realised the company culture is horrible and staff turnover is really high. Now my manager has been back a few months and I have learnt how utterly incompetent and useless they are. I resent having to have everything go through them, on top of other wider issues in the company contributing to it being an awful place to work. My workload is huge but I am bored to tears and miserable and have no motivation. I have started to feel really depressed and struggle to get out of bed and have withdrawn socially to avoid actually having to talk about work with anyone.

I have been looking for jobs for a few months but it seems the market it awful at the moment. My notice period is 6 months and I am tempted to just hand it in in the hopes that I will find a new job in 6 months, however this workplace is so spiteful I wouldn’t be surprised if they told me to leave right away.

DH and I have no kids and some savings between us but obviously I have no idea how long I would potentially be out of work for. Anyone in marketing/comms have any advice? Anyone recently gone freelance in this area, how is that market looking?

If you are in the UK and have a six month notice period in your contract they can't ask you to leave immediately unless they pay you out the entire notice period.

JuneFromBethesda · 07/01/2025 20:57

Yes, a 6-month notice period is awful. My last job, the notice period was 3 months which was ridiculous. I handed in my notice after only 4 months so almost half my entire time in the job was working my notice 😂

I was also starting to doubt my ability to find a decent job, I really sympathise! It’s not you though. There is something better for you out there. Life is too short to be miserable at work.

Original poster
PeachOrca · 07/01/2025 21:06

Eimz86mk · 07/01/2025 20:49

If you are in the UK and have a six month notice period in your contract they can't ask you to leave immediately unless they pay you out the entire notice period.

Show quote history

I haven’t been there two years unfortunately so I don’t think I get those sorts of protections. I think before two years it’s just a weeks notice or pay.

OP posts:
Eimz86mk · 07/01/2025 21:17

PeachOrca · 06/01/2025 19:02

Hi all, sorry if this runs on a bit long I am desperate for advice.

I have spent my career working in the communications/marketing/PR/events world and always absolutely loved my job. I got approached to join a company (HQ not based in the U.K.) and start an entire comms department for them. The U.K. has become a primary market for them so they are trying to increase the U.K. office headcount and move a lot of functions they outsourced in house.

My first few weeks were a bit bumpy as my manager was very allusive and never seemed to be available to me. Then, they had a horrific accident and took in total almost 10 months off to recover. In that time they were checking in with the company regularly and had semi-regular contact with the rest of their direct reports who had all been there some time. I received one email asking me to outline what I was working on and any questions I had. I sent quite a lengthy reply (including questions) and received a ‘sounds like you’re doing great’ response and that was all.

While my manager was away, I realised the company culture is horrible and staff turnover is really high. Now my manager has been back a few months and I have learnt how utterly incompetent and useless they are. I resent having to have everything go through them, on top of other wider issues in the company contributing to it being an awful place to work. My workload is huge but I am bored to tears and miserable and have no motivation. I have started to feel really depressed and struggle to get out of bed and have withdrawn socially to avoid actually having to talk about work with anyone.

I have been looking for jobs for a few months but it seems the market it awful at the moment. My notice period is 6 months and I am tempted to just hand it in in the hopes that I will find a new job in 6 months, however this workplace is so spiteful I wouldn’t be surprised if they told me to leave right away.

DH and I have no kids and some savings between us but obviously I have no idea how long I would potentially be out of work for. Anyone in marketing/comms have any advice? Anyone recently gone freelance in this area, how is that market looking?

Sorry not sure how to quote your later reply. The two year rule means that you can be let go for any reason and you couldn't claim unfair dismissal. Even if you hand in your notice and they decide to fire you straight away they would still have to honour your notice period as it is a contractual term. This just wouldn't happen as it would prolong your time in the company as a firing effective date would be later than your resignation date. Otherwise they would be breaching the contract.

Original poster
PeachOrca · 07/01/2025 21:25

Eimz86mk · 07/01/2025 21:17

Sorry not sure how to quote your later reply. The two year rule means that you can be let go for any reason and you couldn't claim unfair dismissal. Even if you hand in your notice and they decide to fire you straight away they would still have to honour your notice period as it is a contractual term. This just wouldn't happen as it would prolong your time in the company as a firing effective date would be later than your resignation date. Otherwise they would be breaching the contract.

Show quote history

Thank you that is so helpful to know

OP posts:
Eimz86mk · 07/01/2025 21:42

PeachOrca · 06/01/2025 19:02

Hi all, sorry if this runs on a bit long I am desperate for advice.

I have spent my career working in the communications/marketing/PR/events world and always absolutely loved my job. I got approached to join a company (HQ not based in the U.K.) and start an entire comms department for them. The U.K. has become a primary market for them so they are trying to increase the U.K. office headcount and move a lot of functions they outsourced in house.

My first few weeks were a bit bumpy as my manager was very allusive and never seemed to be available to me. Then, they had a horrific accident and took in total almost 10 months off to recover. In that time they were checking in with the company regularly and had semi-regular contact with the rest of their direct reports who had all been there some time. I received one email asking me to outline what I was working on and any questions I had. I sent quite a lengthy reply (including questions) and received a ‘sounds like you’re doing great’ response and that was all.

While my manager was away, I realised the company culture is horrible and staff turnover is really high. Now my manager has been back a few months and I have learnt how utterly incompetent and useless they are. I resent having to have everything go through them, on top of other wider issues in the company contributing to it being an awful place to work. My workload is huge but I am bored to tears and miserable and have no motivation. I have started to feel really depressed and struggle to get out of bed and have withdrawn socially to avoid actually having to talk about work with anyone.

I have been looking for jobs for a few months but it seems the market it awful at the moment. My notice period is 6 months and I am tempted to just hand it in in the hopes that I will find a new job in 6 months, however this workplace is so spiteful I wouldn’t be surprised if they told me to leave right away.

DH and I have no kids and some savings between us but obviously I have no idea how long I would potentially be out of work for. Anyone in marketing/comms have any advice? Anyone recently gone freelance in this area, how is that market looking?

Just make sure you are not still within your probation period as that often has a shorter notice period until you have passed it.

Mintearo7 · 07/01/2025 21:48

As PP said the 6-month notice works both ways - check your contract. I work in comms (PR) and was made redundant in the summer with 8 others. The job market isn’t great but there are roles popping up, it just takes longer to land something so the hunting process is painful for most. I’m in a contract role now and I would say over half of us have landed something now - the 6 months notice may work in your favour. Good luck with it all.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page