To be shocked at treatment following resignation?

[Username1233]

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!

I think they were out of order personally and kind of I would imagine makes you realise they definitely weren't the company for you.

I'd be tempted to review via the glass door website because unless you're a 00 agent working for the secret service I would not have expected the reaction.

For people mentioning that it's to prevent harming the company surely if you wanted to harm the company you'd get the information then give notice. I think it just damages a companies reputation and ability to get a good employee (in the long term) or employees that stay.

This is completely normal for FS as you have potential to poach clients. You need to thicken your skin if you want a career in this industry. They are also probably irritated that they have supported you through your training and now you’re qualified you have jumped ship. Therefore they have paid you to earn them no money and now you’re going - speaking as an AR.

I don't think they can just terminate your employment like that, but as long as they pay you your 4 weeks notice, that I assume you were giving anyway, then you can just enjoy the time off, and put it down to a lucky escape!
I recall once quitting a job 4 weeks in and the owner was really upset, it just wasn't the right fit at all, it happens.

@Username1233 it feels like you're being punished doesn't it? They put you on gardening leave cos theyre protecting thwur interests or theyre missed off. Both are their issues not yours.

You have, in reality, been gained several weeks of extra paid holiday so rejoice !!!! I know you feel guilty being paid without working and hurt by theur actions but pls remind yourself you have made a good decision and smile. Also remind yourself they were so nice to give you 3 weeks paid leave. Then enjoy it.

It happened to me, I had 2 months of it. I was there 10 years. Took me a few days but I eneded up finding lots to do in my extra time off.

Happened to me once and it was quite upsetting but ultimately you have a month off to get your head around it before starting new job - hope it goes well

Perfectly normal procedure. It doesn't necessarily indicate anyone is 'cross' either.

Its a bit more subtle than that. The company you are leaving can take you to court for information theft/breach of confidentiality during your employment, depending on your T's and C's. Additionally while certain companies won't say no to the information, they don't usually want you to share it, they want you to use it. The "gardening leave" hiatus is to give the company a chance to contact clients and contacts and move them to a different case handler/contact within the company. It really really isn't being cross, getting their own back, "because its a woman" "because they funded her qualification" or in any way personal. My husband worked in a non financial global business trading in...well "stuff". In the 90's his job meant that he had information in the course of his job that was worth mega millions (no we didn't get any) He was offered a "name your gift" deal to give someone that information....and by name your gift, I mean a house, a couple of sportscars..... Of course he refused. Years later we knew someone (same area of the company but not friends....colleagues) who did not refuse and ended up in jail. In those kind of jobs, instant escort out of the building, lock out on all tech and gardening leave was known and expected.

Depend on the sensitivity of your role you’re of course going to get locked out their systems and paid your notice as gardening leave. Entirely normal. And don’t complain, you’re getting paid for four weeks to do nothing.

Wishing You&Yours All The Utmost Very Best
💚✨💚

This.

Not quite sure what your problem is. You've given back all their equipment and you've got 4 weeks money.
You already said this company is "not for me" - they've just confirmed your view.
Look forward to your new job.

I wasn’t put on gardening leave but was given the silent treatment for leaving and going to a competitor.

Except as OP states at least twice, she paid for her qualification and did it in her own time before starting this job.

If the owner is making a show of taking this personally, I can absolutely guarantee that you are leaving a toxic workplace. It is a narcissistic trait to show and share these emotions. Leaders with narcissistic traits create toxic organisations. Unfortunately it is impossible to be a good leaver in the face of this behaviour. Perhaps you haven't been there long enough to see the worst of this, but I think you chalk it down to experience and concentrate on your next step.

I would also mention that if they are trying to squeeze your contractual notice, they are probably in financial straits, hiding this under their outrage.

As someone else points out, they have to pay you any unused vacation, so ensure you get that. They have already forced you to burn the bridges, so ensure they are torched thoroughly.

She said she had to pay for it herself!!!

Yes from what I comprehend the original commenter felt she was being treated like she'd done something wrong - This is why she needed to share her upsetting experience, because it seemed she was possibly, then consequentially, doubting herself
She seemed to be wondering, if what, someone with power, was implying re her taking what she could from the company, had some truth to it
Though I feel, (hope) through opening up on Mumsnet, she completely comprehends now, that she's not done anything wrong 💚✨💚

That’s odd, I’ve had to sign NDAs on entry, but never on exit, what leverage did they have to make anyone leaving sign them? I’d have refused (have refused similar contract changes before near the end of contracts).

It is odd indeed. In an ironic twist of fate, I can’t say anything but if you know, you know as the kids say about these City firms and the goings on…!