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Original poster

To be shocked at treatment following resignation?

142 replies

Username1233 · 07/08/2025 08:02

For a bit of background info, I’m based within financial services and secured a job last July (subject to me paying for, and passing my necessary exams - to formally start in October). Completed all of this, and quickly realised that this company is perhaps “not for me”.

I was approached via a much more supportive financial institution a few months ago with a great job offer. I have been mulling it over, and on Monday decided to accept. This is where everything went wrong!

I work from an external office on my own, so called my manager (company owner was away with work) on the Monday. Verbally gave my notice (followed up in an email), promised I would do as much as I can throughout August to make the process as easy as possible for everyone. Manager told me to keep this between ourselves, and he will speak with company owner and let me know next steps.

On Tuesday I’m working as normal, when suddenly I’m locked out of everything! Tried to call manager - no response. Tried to call IT - they hung up on me! Then had a call from an employee to tell me to come to the main office straight away to hand back all equipment.

Hand it back (no management to be seen), and told they will pay me for 1 week and that’s it! A few calls on my part to ACAS, I am now being paid my full 4 weeks as given, but on garden leave.

AIBU to be absolutely miffed how this whole situation has panned out? Is this normal for financial services? No goodbyes, no calls from management, no exit meeting, nothing! I am still in utter disbelief at the way this has been handled. I was told by above employee that the company owner is extremely cross with me, and feels I have used them for my own progression.

I know I shouldn’t care, but I do! I wanted to leave on good terms and feel disappointed that the company think this way of me!

OP posts:
helpfulperson · 07/08/2025 08:07

It is fairly normal where there is a potential for you to do harm, so financial services is one example, to put someone on gardening leave immediately for the notice period.

Did you do the qualifications on company time paid for by them? If so I can understand them feeling a bit used.

T92 · 07/08/2025 08:07

Very petty from the company.

I've been a manager and yes, it can be annoying when staff leave after you've invested in them but ultimately it is business. You shake their hand, buy them a card, wish them well and off they go.

In my opinion, in your career you have to look out for you and your own needs above all else or you end up stuck somewhere you don't want to be.

Bruisername · 07/08/2025 08:09

did you tell them where you are going? Gardening leave not unusual when going to a competitor but they could have told you first!

TeachesOfPeaches · 07/08/2025 08:11

It isn’t great but you’ve got the whole month of august to relax on full pay

JurgenKloppsTeeth · 07/08/2025 08:11

@helpfulperson OP clearly says that they paid to do the qualification themselves.

OP, I’d look at this as a lucky escape. I had similar in my first job out of uni and I was glad to be out of there.

Belladog1 · 07/08/2025 08:13

helpfulperson · 07/08/2025 08:07

It is fairly normal where there is a potential for you to do harm, so financial services is one example, to put someone on gardening leave immediately for the notice period.

Did you do the qualifications on company time paid for by them? If so I can understand them feeling a bit used.

This.

I work for financial services and if I resigned I think they would ask me to go on gardening leave.

Plus, my company have supported me with taking exams. Time off to study, time off to take exams, plus they have paid for the exams. They would be miffed if they didn't get their monies worth.

Edited to say, I missed the part about you paying for the exams yourself. Apologies

Onlyhereforthebatshitneighbours · 07/08/2025 08:17

company owner is extremely cross with me, and feels I have used them for my own progression.

He ought to grow up. Its a career, for goodness sake, and I'm sure he's done similar.

limetrees32 · 07/08/2025 08:17

6 posts in and people can't be bothered to read them OP post or the one immediately preceding their own

Just why bother posting at all ?

limetrees32 · 07/08/2025 08:18

@Belladog1 I see you've re read and apologised 🙂

Doggymummar · 07/08/2025 08:23

Any role involving sales and clients that I have worked in has resulted in being escorted off the premises immediately on resignation. It's embarrassing in front of everyone one. But the potential for you to cause reputational or financial damage is too big a risk. It could have been handled better though.

childofthe607080s · 07/08/2025 08:26

Quite normal

Original poster
Username1233 · 07/08/2025 08:30

Thanks all! It’s good to know that it’s relatively normal and I shouldn’t take it too personally. I’ve just never experienced this with leaving a job before.

To reconfirm all qualifications were paid for by myself, and all exams were taken in my own personal time.

OP posts:
Original poster
Username1233 · 07/08/2025 08:31

@Doggymummar Yes, it was very embarrassing 😳. Actually, probably one of the most embarrassing moments of my life. I probably have a quite naive view of how things are realistically handled.

OP posts:
Springtimehere · 07/08/2025 08:37

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

SummerHolidayMemories · 07/08/2025 08:41

Garden leave is common in some industries. Being treated quite as you describe isn’t! I suspect they know you’re leaving because you’re unhappy and the reasons you’re unhappy are things they don’t wish to acknowledge.

Well done on getting the paid time increased. Try not to give them any head space. Don’t make the mistake of moaning about them to anyone you have a professional relationship with in any way. Even friends you’ve worked with previously. Just say you think they may have been a little disappointed to lose you but the new opportunity at xxxxx is just so exciting and you can’t wait to start. And relax as much as you can over the next 4 weeks.

Crucible · 07/08/2025 08:42

You get these bosses in life. They really do think its more than wages in exchange for labour and expertise. I could understand it if you were a brain surgeon and had a list.
Let him be annoyed...idiot.

FiveBarGate · 07/08/2025 08:42

Gardening leave is normal in financial institutions.

But they have handled the communication around it badly.

Presumably this is one of the reasons you are leaving so demonstrates you made a good choice.

Don't be embarrassed. Your colleagues will have seen it before and the same will happen to them if they ever join a competitor.

northerngoldilocks · 07/08/2025 08:43

It’s entirely normal in fs if you are going to a competitor or are in a position where the company has identified risk that you would either have your role and permissions restricted or be placed on garden leave. What is entirely not normal though is your manager not speaking to you and the organisation trying to weasel out of contractual notice pay. Sounds like getting out of there is a good move to be honest, given what you’ve posted. Hope the new company is not run by cowboys!

FriNightBlues · 07/08/2025 08:44

In case this hasn’t been said - they should also be paying you for unused leave days if you have any.

Suncreamnow · 07/08/2025 08:46

I don't think it's unusual for staff in financial services to not work their notice, you do need to be paid notice in line with your contract though.

It sounds like a smallish company and I don't think it's at all unusual for small business owners to take things very personally. It makes me laugh when people tell us to support small businesses, rather than large corporations because IME small businesses are often dreadful employers.

FrenchFancie · 07/08/2025 08:50

I used to work in an industry where gardening leave was commonplace when you left to go to a competitor - I once got 3 months gardening leave and it was bliss!!! Yes it’s a pain not to get the goodbyes, but hey ho.in fact it was so commonplace that once when I was made redundant and didn’t get gardening leave I was a bit pissed off to be honest - honestly said something about what they thought of me - not smart enough to pinch clients!!

now I work in an industry where different industry where it’s unheard of and I dislike working my notice - it feels really weird to be planning for things I know I won’t be there for.

Lengokengo · 07/08/2025 08:51

I had the opposite problem many years ago, also in financial services. My manager , who had been nice before, turned extremely bitter and stopped talking to me, and made me work out my 3 month notice (practically unheard of). The silly thing was, for the last month I was not assigned to any work, so I would turn up for work, log in, them almost immediately go out again and visit tourist sites (London) come back for lunch etc. As long as I had logged in by 9, and left at 5 there wasn’t much they could do. ( I don’t advertise that that was what as was doing, but most people were off site most of the time, so I went under the radar.) Saw a lot of London tourist hotspots!

LondonPapa · 07/08/2025 08:54

Username1233 · 07/08/2025 08:02

For a bit of background info, I’m based within financial services and secured a job last July (subject to me paying for, and passing my necessary exams - to formally start in October). Completed all of this, and quickly realised that this company is perhaps “not for me”.

I was approached via a much more supportive financial institution a few months ago with a great job offer. I have been mulling it over, and on Monday decided to accept. This is where everything went wrong!

I work from an external office on my own, so called my manager (company owner was away with work) on the Monday. Verbally gave my notice (followed up in an email), promised I would do as much as I can throughout August to make the process as easy as possible for everyone. Manager told me to keep this between ourselves, and he will speak with company owner and let me know next steps.

On Tuesday I’m working as normal, when suddenly I’m locked out of everything! Tried to call manager - no response. Tried to call IT - they hung up on me! Then had a call from an employee to tell me to come to the main office straight away to hand back all equipment.

Hand it back (no management to be seen), and told they will pay me for 1 week and that’s it! A few calls on my part to ACAS, I am now being paid my full 4 weeks as given, but on garden leave.

AIBU to be absolutely miffed how this whole situation has panned out? Is this normal for financial services? No goodbyes, no calls from management, no exit meeting, nothing! I am still in utter disbelief at the way this has been handled. I was told by above employee that the company owner is extremely cross with me, and feels I have used them for my own progression.

I know I shouldn’t care, but I do! I wanted to leave on good terms and feel disappointed that the company think this way of me!

Downing on access, this is normal as you can’t be given opportunities to cause material harm. You’re placed on gardening leave but still paid. Who cares what owner thinks? Enjoy the break between jobs.

Original poster
Username1233 · 07/08/2025 08:55

Thanks all.

I’ve just reread my letter from them, and it doesn’t even look like I’m on gardening leave. They have terminated my contract and employment, but will pay me my notice and holiday. Seems so odd! I suppose I will try and get my head around the whole ordeal and try to enjoy August!

OP posts:
Coockooclock · 07/08/2025 09:04

In mum's work whoever is let go is escorted to their office to collect personal stuff and then out right by security from the hr office. On higher level sending resignation often means immediate cut off from everything too. As in, immediate. Notice hits hr and you are cut off within minutes. Not in UK but still was surprised until I realised the data they have access to would be incredibly valuable elsewhere.

I wouldn't be happy in your case with them acting they terminated you though

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