Work

[ReturnOfTheMack]

Yeah, handing in my resignation was a bloody ace feeling.

[I Bent My Wookie]

Found myself an ideal job, over 40 hours a week, good rate of pay, back behind a Bar and paying for my personal license etc.

Only issue is they don't want to open while it's 6 to a table as it was incredibly difficult for them to enforce last time as it's quite a "everyone knows everyone" type of pub where people kept moving around and was always at capacity.

So Boris is about to announce another 4 weeks of the same restrictions meaning I'll not be back in work until July.

Annoyingly I'm gonna have to look for another job I think. I can't be dealing with being on Universal Credit until August from May.

Will speak to the bossman tomorrow/Monday when things get officially announced.

[patiirc]

5 hours ago, ReturnOfTheMack said:

Taken a massive chance and quit my job to take a fixed term contract with my local council. The money is better and has a lot more scope for advancement, and the job satisfaction is higher for me (I've been working with them on secondment for a while). Fingers crossed it was a good call.

I've just done similar, resigned from one for constructive, another because they couldn't give me the hours and moved out of frontline work completely. 

3 years fixed term, decent salary and not having to burn out working for the NHS during the pandemic any more. 

Absolutely freeing. 

Good luck with your new role. 

[Keith Houchen]

1 hour ago, Shy Dad said:

Boris

STOP CALLING HIM BORIS 

[I Bent My Wookie]

Sorry!

 

[Mark Impact]

Never posted in off topic, but it's one of my favourite places to go and read every now and again.

Just remembered about this thread and thought I'd share my current situation and maybe get some advice. 

I had a panic attack at work recently, and normally I'd say my mental wellbeing is good and I'd never experienced this before, and it was very scary. I had another this weekend and as a result have a doctor's note for one month. 

A bit of background...

In January last year my company started to merge with another they had acquired in 2019, which is based in Oxfordshire, whereas we were based in South Yorkshire. Most of 2020 we ambled along due to Covid but from the Autumn onwards we moved the entire operation down south, losing a lot of headcount and experience. 

I'm the middle of this I was offered a promotion, and I was being groomed to be the department lead in any case so I took it up. I was very open with the new management in that I have a young family which includes step children and I wouldn't be able to relocate, but was assured that working from home would be OK and even seen as the future of things in the business (technology and lockdown helped this of course). 

However, the loss of good people through the merger and Brexit difficulties mean the workload has grown hugely and I am under a lot of pressure. I also struggled with working away from home a couple of days a week, both in that I'm swamped at the new location, supporting new and old colleagues in using new systems etc and that I hate being away from the wife and kids. 

I had an episode when down there where I was sweating profusely, had a tightening, crushing feeling in my chest and also had strange things happening with my vision and was unable to concentrate on anything but that feeling. 

Things clearly weren't working out so I handed in my notice. I had received some support from management early in the year, when I said I didn't think I could handle things and still had a chance to receive a redundancy package and ended up stayed on. But now I told them here it was clear to me I couldn't continue.

I started job hunting immediately and have found something new, but my notice is 3 months. The new place are happy for me to join after this however.

Into my notice I've had my workload ramped up (previously I believe it had been "lightened" to keep me in the game) and I've been asked to work more and more down south despite my reasons for leaving. 

After having a week's annual leave I returned to even more work and demands I work full weeks at the new location and I ended up having a second panic attack. Talked to my doctor and I've been signed off for a month. 

Feeling pretty low in a number of ways now, and just really looking forward to starting my new job.

 

[Chest Rockwell]

That's great that you've got the new one lined up to start pretty soon but what have the current place got on your to even be able to make these kinds of unreasonable demands? What are they going to do if you don't do what they're asking you to do?

[MPDTT]

53 minutes ago, Mark Impact said:

Never posted in off topic, but it's one of my favourite places to go and read every now and again.

Just remembered about this thread and thought I'd share my current situation and maybe get some advice. 

I had a panic attack at work recently, and normally I'd say my mental wellbeing is good and I'd never experienced this before, and it was very scary. I had another this weekend and as a result have a doctor's note for one month. 

A bit of background...

In January last year my company started to merge with another they had acquired in 2019, which is based in Oxfordshire, whereas we were based in South Yorkshire. Most of 2020 we ambled along due to Covid but from the Autumn onwards we moved the entire operation down south, losing a lot of headcount and experience. 

I'm the middle of this I was offered a promotion, and I was being groomed to be the department lead in any case so I took it up. I was very open with the new management in that I have a young family which includes step children and I wouldn't be able to relocate, but was assured that working from home would be OK and even seen as the future of things in the business (technology and lockdown helped this of course). 

However, the loss of good people through the merger and Brexit difficulties mean the workload has grown hugely and I am under a lot of pressure. I also struggled with working away from home a couple of days a week, both in that I'm swamped at the new location, supporting new and old colleagues in using new systems etc and that I hate being away from the wife and kids. 

I had an episode when down there where I was sweating profusely, had a tightening, crushing feeling in my chest and also had strange things happening with my vision and was unable to concentrate on anything but that feeling. 

Things clearly weren't working out so I handed in my notice. I had received some support from management early in the year, when I said I didn't think I could handle things and still had a chance to receive a redundancy package and ended up stayed on. But now I told them here it was clear to me I couldn't continue.

I started job hunting immediately and have found something new, but my notice is 3 months. The new place are happy for me to join after this however.

Into my notice I've had my workload ramped up (previously I believe it had been "lightened" to keep me in the game) and I've been asked to work more and more down south despite my reasons for leaving. 

After having a week's annual leave I returned to even more work and demands I work full weeks at the new location and I ended up having a second panic attack. Talked to my doctor and I've been signed off for a month. 

Feeling pretty low in a number of ways now, and just really looking forward to starting my new job.

 

Firstly congratulations on the new job. Most people take their foot of the gas once they have resigned. Have your new company already taken up references? If so, I'd be clear that the workload is unmanageable and you'll only take on a workload that can be completed during your contracted hours for the duration of your notice. What are they going to do? performance manage you out? Not in 3 months......Alternatively you could ask for an early release from your notice and see if that can be negotiated, or just get signed off sick during your notice.

Sounds like a shitty situation. Company's can't really expect any discretionary effort from employees serving their notice.

 

[Keith Houchen]

1 hour ago, Mark Impact said:

started job hunting immediately and have found something new, but my notice is 3 months. The new place are happy for me to join after this however.

The notice period is there for your benefit, not the companies. It’s so they can’t fuck you off on a whim. They can’t hold you to three months notice because you don’t have to wait three months, you’re doing so as a courtesy. You’re lucky to have found a company that’ll hold a position for that amount of time so that’s great. 
 

Is the new job at a competitor or in the same field? If so, see if they’ll put you on “Gardening Leave”. Failing that, keep getting signed off and remember you don’t owe the fuckers a goddamn thing. Your health is more important. 

[choccy]

Notice periods are to protect both sides. Companies don’t want employers just leaving and three months gives them longer to find a replacement, it does nothing to help the employee if they’re leaving or the new employer.  (Obviously redundancy is different.)

Agree with others about seeing about an early release, or getting signed off for longer. It may be worth letting your new employer know just in case they say anything in the reference, it’ll mean that you’re framing it and giving context.

They can’t make you do all those things so if you do nothing and see it out, do what you’re contractually obliged to do. Be polite when you say no and give reasons (family commitments etc that mean you can’t travel). At the end of the day, you only owe them what you are meant to do and beyond that it’s hard for them to argue otherwise. If you have proof of what they’re asking/what you said to them etc then save it just in case you need it later on.

Good luck and well done on your new job. You’ll be on to better things before you know it!

[biggs]

3 hours ago, Mark Impact said:

Never posted in off topic, but it's one of my favourite places to go and read every now and again.

Just remembered about this thread and thought I'd share my current situation and maybe get some advice. 

I had a panic attack at work recently, and normally I'd say my mental wellbeing is good and I'd never experienced this before, and it was very scary. I had another this weekend and as a result have a doctor's note for one month. 

A bit of background...

In January last year my company started to merge with another they had acquired in 2019, which is based in Oxfordshire, whereas we were based in South Yorkshire. Most of 2020 we ambled along due to Covid but from the Autumn onwards we moved the entire operation down south, losing a lot of headcount and experience. 

I'm the middle of this I was offered a promotion, and I was being groomed to be the department lead in any case so I took it up. I was very open with the new management in that I have a young family which includes step children and I wouldn't be able to relocate, but was assured that working from home would be OK and even seen as the future of things in the business (technology and lockdown helped this of course). 

However, the loss of good people through the merger and Brexit difficulties mean the workload has grown hugely and I am under a lot of pressure. I also struggled with working away from home a couple of days a week, both in that I'm swamped at the new location, supporting new and old colleagues in using new systems etc and that I hate being away from the wife and kids. 

I had an episode when down there where I was sweating profusely, had a tightening, crushing feeling in my chest and also had strange things happening with my vision and was unable to concentrate on anything but that feeling. 

Things clearly weren't working out so I handed in my notice. I had received some support from management early in the year, when I said I didn't think I could handle things and still had a chance to receive a redundancy package and ended up stayed on. But now I told them here it was clear to me I couldn't continue.

I started job hunting immediately and have found something new, but my notice is 3 months. The new place are happy for me to join after this however.

Into my notice I've had my workload ramped up (previously I believe it had been "lightened" to keep me in the game) and I've been asked to work more and more down south despite my reasons for leaving. 

After having a week's annual leave I returned to even more work and demands I work full weeks at the new location and I ended up having a second panic attack. Talked to my doctor and I've been signed off for a month. 

Feeling pretty low in a number of ways now, and just really looking forward to starting my new job.

 

Sounds like a very challenging situation mate. However there are a lot of silver linings.

1. You've recognised the cause of your anxiety and it seems like you have taken proactive and taken strong steps to deal with it. That's hard to do and it reads as though you've been decisive, even with the fog caused by your current role.

2. Despite struggling, you've found a new job, which you are looking forward to starting. Again, when you are low this is hard and shows you have been motivated,

3. Despite things going pear shaped at work, for reasons entirely beyond your control (Brexit, merger), it reads as though you were valued as you were given a promotion and responsibility. You have talent, but you've found yourself in the wrong job at the wrong time.  

4. You've reached out for help - from the doctor and on here too. Speaking about difficulties is a key tool to work through them - it's not easy. Good work for sharing.

You aren't well mate - and it's absolutely okay to be signed off for by a doctor. My advice - take the month off, and then whatever time is left after that until you can start your new job. You've got a role confirmed already so your current company's reference is likely not significant. Spend time with the kids and get well - do things that make you happy, maybe make yourself a checklist of little things to do every day, but switch work right off as it's made you ill. If your current company start agitating, seek advice from a union (if you have one) or Citizen's Advice on employer's responsibilities to provide a safe work environment. This isn't just about bricks and mortar these days - it very much extends to your employer's working culture and work load expectation.

I was in a similar situation myself a couple of years ago. Ended up signed off for a couple of months, then gardening leave until my contract finished - and felt utterly terrible throughout. Lazy, incompetent, lethargic - and a complete failure. After that, I did a couple of short term contracts and have been working in a job I really enjoy since the end of 2019. Comparable pay, no symptoms of anxiety, job satisfaction, autonomy, learning loads, told regularly how well I'm doing, significant pay progression - and not a single day off in eighteen months. There's no shame at all in being unwell - although because it's your mental health which is stopping you working I know the shame is real. You found yourself in a job which left you overwhelmed and it took its toll - that's absolutely fine. Your response - anxiety, panic attacks, low mood - is entirely natural in the circumstances and likely one which many people on here can closely relate to. Your departure from your current role doesn't need to be a source of upset or acrimony - its likely they'll replace you soon enough and this will be a very unpleasant memory/learning experience. 

Hope you feel well soon and enjoy the summer with your family. 

[Keith Houchen]

5 hours ago, johnnyboy said:

Contractual notice periods aren't a courtesy.  They can't enforce it in terms of dragging you into the office at gunpoint, but they could enforce it legally and sue if it's unilaterally broken.

Could theoretically, and will in reality, aren't always the same thing though.  It's generally not worth the aggravation unless you're in a critical role, it torpedoes a project, or they're massively vindictive.  To ensure there's no threat of comeback the early release would have to be negotiated and granted.

This is so rare though, I mean one in thousands rare and isn’t applicable in this case as a start date for the new job has been agreed. Worse case scenario here is not getting paid for the time you leave before the notice is up. 
 

Just because something is in a contract doesn’t make it enforceable. 
 

OP - Best thing to do is get signed off for the remainder and use the time to focus on yourself. 

[Mark Impact]

Thank you all for responding, and I appreciate all the comments and advice. 

Forgot to mention some stuff last night, as there's a lot that's happened. 

I'm feeling a little better for not having to go in, but still checking my work phone daily which I need to pack in.

My line manager has suggested going back in Monday, with the dangling carrot that I won't be the department lead anymore but just have to contend with day to day stuff, which is OK but I did point out to him that I was essentially to "learn on the job" when I was promoted. One of the big things I've carried with me this year is that there's a level of expectation with the job and I cannot pick up those things or grow into the role because the day to day is relentless (actually the day to day is mostly fire fighting now as inexperienced colleagues try to get used to a new way of doing things, and inevitably and understandably make mistakes).

I was also offered a contact number for a helpline which is part of our health package which I had forgotten about. I did speak on a few occasions with our in-house mental health officer and voice how I was feeling over the past 4 or 5 weeks. I'm not alone in how I've ended up feeling either, as others are away for similar reasons. 

I have a start date for my new job, and discussed with our HR about my leaving and handing in company assets and unspent holidays etc, and I wonder if that made my leaving "definite" and that's why they've ramped things up. Maybe the 3 months were viewed as enough time to convince me to stay or I'd change my mind at all.

My new role is in a similar industry, but isn't a competitor. It is local (albeit less so than our old depot) and I've taken a pay cut to go there (it pays between my old salary and promoted salary) so it's worked out great and I have good hopes for when I start. 

Being around family is what's keeping me level, and I'm really thankful to my wife for looking out for me and pointing out that how I was feeling wasn't healthy (as stupid a it needs to be pointed out, people do try and soldier on) and she's been behind me taking firm action. 

[MPDTT]

11 hours ago, johnnyboy said:

Contractual notice periods aren't a courtesy.  They can't enforce it in terms of dragging you into the office at gunpoint, but they could enforce it legally and sue if it's unilaterally broken.

Could theoretically, and will in reality, aren't always the same thing though.  It's generally not worth the aggravation unless you're in a critical role, it torpedoes a project, or they're massively vindictive.  To ensure there's no threat of comeback the early release would have to be negotiated and granted.

Notice periods are more or the companies benefit. I always like to put 2-3 month's into contracts as it gives us ample time to plan a transition and hire a replacement. On the flip side, employees have more security, knowing that if they are made redundant, they have a longer notice period.

3 months is not uncommon, most employers will wait and I very rarely enforce the full 3 months - generally earlier exits are negotiated dependent on business need. 

 

[Keith Houchen]

2 hours ago, Mark Impact said:

My line manager has suggested going back in Monday,

If you’re signed off, you can’t. We always call them sick notes but they’re fit notes. You have to be cleared by your GP. If your note is dated past Monday, you’d need your GP to issue a new one declaring you fit to return should you wish to go back in.