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

Did the nasty manager have to provide a reference to new boss?

No because they’re not my formal line manager

What does your line manager think?

I think they just want an easier life, they have zero incentive to fight my case especially when it could cause friction between them and the TL

Especially as they are new I know they have been reluctant to question senior decisions and don’t want to seem difficult either

I don’t really know how to counter a case against more senior person who is using resource risk as justification. They set tasks and workload

I personally think it’s ridiculous and shows how overworked us junior staff are and poor planning if you can’t follow our contracted notice period (I would think junior staff are given shorter notice periods for a reason)

Honestly? I’d just grit my teeth and get through it.

You don’t want new boss to get whiff that you’re off for more stress leave or having issues with existing team. It simply sets things off on a negative tone

I'd inform New Manager and ask if they could help.

Turf wars can be fought up the respective management lines. By people with equivalent status rather than Underling vs. Boss.

Squabbling over transfer dates is very common.

Oh OP I feel for you. Perhaps just frame it as confusion with what the new manager has said vs the scary one saying something else. You’re being told two different things so whether you find a way to get clarity from both managers informally or go to HR, just frame it as confusion on your part and that you’re seeking clarity/advice around policy/generally accepted practice rather than trying to make waves/accuse scary TL etc. HR are able to give general advice as well - they’re not just there for disciplinary meetings etc. 🙂 Confusion is the truth of it, you’ll get an answer, and this level of detachment and professionalism will have the side effect of showing scary TL up! Hugs 💖

Do not go behind current managers back to new manager

I promise you that it will set alarm bells off with new manager

I second this, Be careful!

That’s one good thing! 👏

An update, I was told by team leader they would be speak with a very senior manager in our area (head of xyz) and get back to me on proposed date.
I’m not involved in said meeting, no idea what was said even though they are deciding something that impacts me and breaches my contract.

Instead I’m simply told by team leader afterwards that proposed date is xyz (it’s 3 months away not 1)

I then decided to speak with HR in confidentiality and I explain everything honestly, I ask them directly is this normal procedure and that I can’t find any clause about notice periods in contract or staff handbook, they said no this is not normal and I should only have one month notice period at my junior scale.
They say a shorter or longer notice period can be negotiated but this is something all parties including me would have to agree to, I would give my consent and then my manager would have to approve the decision.

although HR kindly confirmed what is normal and told me I wasn’t unreasonable they didn’t give me any actual plan of action frustratingly :( the only thing I can think of next is to request a private chat with the head of x manager who was complicit in the decision. According to HR it’s very strange that they didn’t ask for my consent

I find it very strange that some people don't want your new manager to progress this through the management system.

Managers are paid to manage.