Colleague trying to extend my notice period

[NoticePeriodDread]

I work in public sector and for past few years have been put under bad stress and pressure by a toxic team. I was signed off with moderate depression earlier this year because of this but GP had only wrote depression in sick note not work related stress. I’ve been desperate to leave, applied for around 5 internal roles and many external but faced rejections. I recently got an internal job offer in a new team.

I’m working at a junior grade scale, according to my staff handbook people at my scale are supposed to have a one month notice period.
My current formal line manager is very chilled and down to earth but the issue is they don’t actually work in my team so don’t assign my daily tasks, it’s more just formality of being my line manager. They are also young and scared of my team leader who has been a manager for longer.

When I spoke to the scary team leader to update them on new job and said how I’m waiting to hear from current line manager and new manager about start date - the team leader didn’t respond well and said actually that’s for me to decide, and as it’s an internal role I have authority to request extension to maximum notice period of 3 months due to resource risk.

I knew TL wouldn’t take it well but I thought at very least they could only make my life extra hellish for one last month then I’m free.
Now they may have three months to make things as hard as possible and genuinely scared.
I knew they would likely penalise me despite me never saying a bad word about TL, and ending up me being signed off with depression due to how much I hated role.

Of course I don’t react negatively on the call and politely smile and nod. I’m genuinely feeling sick to my stomach thinking about these next three months, is it worth speaking to HR to ask to shorten it?
Do I even have a leg to stand on because I imagine she will buy support from other managers first by spinning an exaggerated story about resource risk (admittedly one team member out of nine is on long term sick leave)

I’m still a junior member though! It’s ridiculous that people at a grade higher who have moved to new internal job will have had shorter notice periods

If you're public sector there's probably a union where you work. Are you a member?

As you say, if others don't have to have a 3 month notice period, your TL would have to justify why you have to.
I also think it's ridiculous you don't actually work for your line manager, but that's the public sector...

Yes, definitely worth speaking to HR. Also speak to your new LM and explain that you are keen to start your new job, and work with your new team, as soon as possible.

By design accountability and authority are separated. Otherwise people might start doing things.

as it’s an internal role I have authority to request extension to maximum notice period of 3 months due to resource risk.

very normal
don’t kick up a stink. The new boss will obviously comply with the policy

Doing things?? Like what?
Like, you know, being able to give someone holiday because they know when the busy times are? Being able to do an appraisal properly because the know the person's work?

Thank you
I was worried this may be the case

I genuinely feel so scared for next three months because of how bad this person can be to work with (and that’s still when I complied to requests out of fear even when my health suffered for it)

I wish I could tell HR about work bullying but can’t jeopardise new job offer

Head down. And grit teeth. The end is in sight. Any holiday outstanding?

How will they penalise you? Report any unfair treatment to HR

Sadly not during this time, I used to take small bits of AL regularly as breathing space but don’t even have that to rely on

I’ve been feeling so low haven’t had energy to eat anything

As it’s an internal transfer there is a defined maximum period of eight weeks. See 10.2.2.c of the Management Code

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a75a37ee5274a545822d0ee/CSMC_November_2016.docx

There is the ability to negotiate. Personally, I would talk to HR.

Congratulations on the new job.

That is 10 years old

Make sure that not changed since then and read very very carefully beforehand

As in making my work life much harder. They already made my work life hard which had led me to depression and suicidal thoughts but that was also when I didn’t dare ‘step out of line’

now I’ve done something bold like leaving I presumed they wouldn’t take it well. Im scared they will only ramp up their unfair treatment of heavy workload and pressure

I don’t know how I can report this to HR because I likely don’t have a leg to stand on, they will only twist situations and are in a ‘safer’ position than me (much more senior)

Thanks for sharing, sadly I’m not a civil servant so not sure this will apply to my company

I'd take unpaid leave if I could afford it and my mental health was on the line.

If you are part of the union speak to them. Three months of working for someone who makes you feel so stressed and anxious could do you damage. As pp said tell the new manager you are really keen to join them as soon as possible.
If you don’t find a way round it and you can’t cope then get yourself signed off. Protect your health, mental and physical.

Dear HR Person
As you are probably aware, I have recently been selected to join Xxxx team in NewJobRole having been in OldJobRole for Yyyy team since YearStarted. I would like to request your gentle help because in a recent discussion with TeamLeader she said that my start date in the new role was at her discretion and it's really important to me to be allowed to move into the new role as soon as possible. I didn't want to say anything at the time in the interests of maintaining positive professional relationships but I do feel my current role is beginning to have a negative impact on my mental health and I do not think it would be healthy or wise for my time as OldJobRole to be further extended beyond a reasonable minimum notice period which I would assume to be the standard 4 weeks as per my grade. Please could you intevene diplomatically to facilitate my transfer to the new role as soon as possible.
Many thanks
@NoticePeriodDread

Thanks for suggestion to go to HR, I’m just conscious will that make me look like I’m being difficult / causing trouble? As another pp said this may be deemed reasonable request and new manager is likely to comply

Its difficult because I really don’t want to jeopardise things for new role

Just send a note to HR confirming your month's notice in your current role and asking for confirmation of your start date in your new role. Copy in your line manager and the new department manager.

Ignore your team leader for the time being, it has nothing to do with them.

Not a member of union, do you think it’s worth joining for this? I’m scared of this getting fed back to TL who will likely deny it (more likely to be believed as they’re senior)

Don't jump the gun with HR yet. It sounds like they were just flexing their muscles in that convo about what they COULD do. See what they actually agree first. I've had someone say that to me before but they know having a disengaged member of staff for 3 months causes more headache than letting them go.

Stop letting this person control your life! Go back to your proper manager (not TL) and tell them about this. If still no joy escalate to HR. Who cares what Queen of the Hill thinks, says or does? You are letting her control you because you’re scared of standing up for yourself but you could gain freedom 2 months sooner if you would only say something! No one can help you if you’re all smiley and agreeing to this instead of telling people who can help. If all else fails, get signed off.

Check with HR about the notice period for your grade. Everywhere I've worked it's been linked to grade: 1 month for junior staff and 3 months for more senior staff. And I've never known it to be extended beyond that for an internal move.

The Team Leader might be unaware that your grade is 1 month's notice. They might be used to dealing with people at a higher grade with 3 months' notice and think that's the standard.

Join a union. Go for therapy or coaching. Find out why you’re so desperate not to be seen as "difficult" and why you can't stomach an adult conversation with HR.

It's all about you speak, what you focus on, the language you choose.

Stop dancing around trying to be the best good girl. What have you gained from that so far?

Congratulations on your new job. You will be out of there soon.

None of this sounds surprising to me, but nor is it something to panic over. She was saying she could request that, not that she would be able to unilaterally decide it. In my experience it is really normal that leave dates for internal moves are negotiated between the two teams, with the new team normally wanting them asap and the old team normally wanting the max notice period. Neither side wants to end up carrying a vacancy for a while either side of the move. So there's no guarantee the person wanting the longer period will get exactly what they ask for. Normally you'd want to take into account the preference of the staff member themselves, but it wouldn't be the sole factor.

Public sector short of resources especially at a junior grade level
I find it hard to believe your team leader cant find a replacement within a month. Presumably your new team are willing to have you ASAP after the recruitment process.