Throwing in the towel

[funkyrobot]

I have no idea how they are going to make it work. It isn't my problem though, so I'm not worrying about it.

I guess me handing my resignation letter in made them realise that you can't mess about with people.

I have had my reduced hours letter etc now. I will be using the time to try and find something else. As i said above, they want a review after summer so are probably hoping I'll go back to full time.

Yes, the job is a pain. But it helps me to be on tickover and have extra time with my family.

[funkyrobot]

I hope it all works out for you. Enjoy the time off. As has been mentioned above, we all need a recharge at some point.

[funkyrobot]

Cyberprog said:

funkyrobot said:

I hope it all works out for you. Enjoy the time off. As has been mentioned above, we all need a recharge at some point.

If you're in the south west (bristol area), or happy to consider moving, then the people I work for are recruiting another tester to join their team.

Feel free to drop me a PM if you'd like more info

We're a fairly high pressure workplace, not going to lie, but the bosses are all about family and there's a strong work hard, play hard atmosphere. I've been there nearly 2 and a half years now, and have loved every minute of it Lots of nice metal in the carpark (CEO drives a RS6, CTO has a R8) and the staff are very technical and if we aren't learning or teaching, we're not happy.

Thanks for the offer.

Unfortunately, I'm on the east coast. To be fair, I would really like to change career as I'm quite fed up and bored with what I do now.

Due to staff shortages where I am, I've been doing a bit of demo stuff with potential new customers over the last week or two. Actually enjoyed that and out of 3 meetings I've sold one package, nearly closed another and lost one. Not a bad strike rate.

The rest is still hell though.

Start my reduced hours in a few weeks. Can't wait.

[funkyrobot]

My shorter hours start next week.

On a side note, its been even more strange at work over the last few weeks.

We have had another customer leave. In a company of this size, that isn't good.

I am being watched and monitored too. Things that have given it away include pressing questions about my work, comments on what I'm doing (silly things about looking out of the window if I'm doing that), and even stuff going on outside the toilet when I use it.

To test the toilet theory, I have just spent the last week taking my phone out of my drawer, putting it in my pocket and going to the loo at specific points. When I came out of the loo earlier today, guess who was waiting outside the door. My manager .

He told me off for taking my phone to the loo and told me how many times I have done it. Thing is, he regularly has his phone out. If it's not allowed, why is he doing it?

Looking forward to the short weeks and more time with the family.

[funkyrobot]

echazfraz said:

Petroleum Gas said:

They want rid of you and will do these wee things to annoy you. It’s an inconvenience for them the hours you’ll be working and since you have threatened to leave they will be nervous of you. When you start your new hours you’ll probably be watched more closely and will be criticised more.

Look for a new job and on your last day walk upto the boss and tell him that you would rather eat a piece of fossilled cow pat than work for him.

I agree with this - would leaving now open them up to constructive dismissal for this kind of behaviour?

Bizarre, isn't it. I've never worked anywhere else like this.

I found out the other day that the boss has been asking potential women employees about if they are planning on getting pregnant. He doesn't want to hire a woman who plans on being pregnant any time soon.

It took me a while to calm myself down after meeting my manager outside the toilet door. I was initially going to just walk out, but didn't do it in case it affects anything else for me like references, pay etc (I don't want them taking my notice period pay off me, for example).

[funkyrobot]

echazfraz said:

johnwilliams77 said:

I would simply not go back if that’s how they treated me. Waiting outside the toilet!!!!! FFS!

Agreed - it's clear that his card is now marked. Hand your notice in then go off sick immediately. If they're playing silly fkers then you should too.

Yeah, it's getting to a point where I'm considering it.

They have a new person starting on Monday. He is being payed a lot less than I am, but they want me training him up fully.

[funkyrobot]

kowalski655 said:

Sounds like sexual harassment if he is hanging about the loos waiting for you. He obviously wants to go in there with you
Time to complain to HR

Speaking to hr won't achieve anything. It's a small company and my manager is very friendly with the CEO and his wife (who is hr).

They regularly joke about a bloke who left last year. He put in a sexual harassment claim because they made jokes about him being homosexual. The CEO laughed it off and told him to take them to court if he was that bothered. He subsequently left as it was his word against theirs. CEO's wife wasn't bothered about it at all.

[funkyrobot]

kowalski655 said:

Sounds like sexual harassment if he is hanging about the loos waiting for you. He obviously wants to go in there with you
Time to complain to HR

On reflection, you are right.

I'm going to write to HR.

[funkyrobot]

johnwilliams77 said:

funkyrobot said:

On reflection, you are right.

I'm going to write to HR.

Are you serious? I cannot believe you are even considering going back if you don't need to.

I'm quite wary of the sick leave thing. I don't want it to affect my ability to find another job. If I hand in my notice and spend the notice period on sick leave, won't this have an adverse affect on things like references for my next job?

[funkyrobot]

TTmonkey said:

Companies are very afraid to give negative references these days, the big companies simply say when you worked there for.

I currently work for a very, very small company.

[funkyrobot]

johnwilliams77 said:

funkyrobot said:

On reflection, you are right.

I'm going to write to HR.

Are you serious? I cannot believe you are even considering going back if you don't need to.

I'm not going back.

Notice being written. Complaint about manager being written (don't know what that will achieve). Will go to the doctors when my first week of self cert is up. To be fair, I'm not the best mentally anyway so things like this end up hampering my health.

After yet more rubbish at work, I had a lengthy chat with my wife (who wants me to be happy). I have finally stopped procrastinating and made the decision.

Job hunting starts immediately and I will aim to pick up something part time for summer (giving me the family time). I'll also look for something full time for when my daughter goes to school. Speaking of her, it really hit me this morning how my mental health projects on her. She is only 3 and doesn't need to worrying about her daddy (which she does).

Finances are fine for a few months. Have the funds, but don't want to dip further into anything after that. Some think I'm mad and rather stupid. Some have said good for you. Wife fully understands the situation and to be fair, it doesn't really matter too much what anyone else thinks.

[funkyrobot]

johnwilliams77 said:

funkyrobot said:

I'm not going back.

Notice being written. Complaint about manager being written (don't know what that will achieve). Will go to the doctors when my first week of self cert is up. To be fair, I'm not the best mentally anyway so things like this end up hampering my health.

After yet more rubbish at work, I had a lengthy chat with my wife (who wants me to be happy). I have finally stopped procrastinating and made the decision.

Job hunting starts immediately and I will aim to pick up something part time for summer (giving me the family time). I'll also look for something full time for when my daughter goes to school. Speaking of her, it really hit me this morning how my mental health projects on her. She is only 3 and doesn't need to worrying about her daddy (which she does).

Finances are fine for a few months. Have the funds, but don't want to dip further into anything after that. Some think I'm mad and rather stupid. Some have said good for you. Wife fully understands the situation and to be fair, it doesn't really matter too much what anyone else thinks.

FANTASTIC! You won't miss this weirdo. Hope it works out.

[funkyrobot]

Petroleum Gas said:

Like yourself I was miserable in my job and left at the start of June with no other job to go too. I have been applying to loads of positions and had quite a few interviews.

It’s a great feeling getting out a company you hate. I have absolutely no regrets and I’m much happier. Good luck on your job hunt

Hope it goes ok for you.

[funkyrobot]

familyguy1 said:

sounds like you have wonderful support and decent resources to support your family.

Enjoy the summer and I wish you luck and hope you will feel like a weight has been taken off your shoulders which can only help with your mood.

Thanks.

Edited by familyguy1 on Tuesday 3rd July 12:02

[funkyrobot]

bexVN said:

johnwilliams77 said:

funkyrobot said:

I'm not going back.

Notice being written. Complaint about manager being written (don't know what that will achieve). Will go to the doctors when my first week of self cert is up. To be fair, I'm not the best mentally anyway so things like this end up hampering my health.

After yet more rubbish at work, I had a lengthy chat with my wife (who wants me to be happy). I have finally stopped procrastinating and made the decision.

Job hunting starts immediately and I will aim to pick up something part time for summer (giving me the family time). I'll also look for something full time for when my daughter goes to school. Speaking of her, it really hit me this morning how my mental health projects on her. She is only 3 and doesn't need to worrying about her daddy (which she does).

Finances are fine for a few months. Have the funds, but don't want to dip further into anything after that. Some think I'm mad and rather stupid. Some have said good for you. Wife fully understands the situation and to be fair, it doesn't really matter too much what anyone else thinks.

FANTASTIC! You won't miss this weirdo. Hope it works out.

Can you mention in your letter that you were aware of the manager asking about female staff thinking of becoming pregnant etc as that is a huge no!!

Good luck, I wish I had the strength and finances to do the same. I would get out of my job in a shot!!

Thanks.

It's the CEO that has been asking that as he interviews potential new staff.

[funkyrobot]

bexVN said:

funkyrobot said:

bexVN said:

johnwilliams77 said:

funkyrobot said:

I'm not going back.

Notice being written. Complaint about manager being written (don't know what that will achieve). Will go to the doctors when my first week of self cert is up. To be fair, I'm not the best mentally anyway so things like this end up hampering my health.

After yet more rubbish at work, I had a lengthy chat with my wife (who wants me to be happy). I have finally stopped procrastinating and made the decision.

Job hunting starts immediately and I will aim to pick up something part time for summer (giving me the family time). I'll also look for something full time for when my daughter goes to school. Speaking of her, it really hit me this morning how my mental health projects on her. She is only 3 and doesn't need to worrying about her daddy (which she does).

Finances are fine for a few months. Have the funds, but don't want to dip further into anything after that. Some think I'm mad and rather stupid. Some have said good for you. Wife fully understands the situation and to be fair, it doesn't really matter too much what anyone else thinks.

FANTASTIC! You won't miss this weirdo. Hope it works out.

Can you mention in your letter that you were aware of the manager asking about female staff thinking of becoming pregnant etc as that is a huge no!!

Good luck, I wish I had the strength and finances to do the same. I would get out of my job in a shot!!

Thanks.

It's the CEO that has been asking that as he interviews potential new staff.

Yes, sorry I realised I was referring to the wrong person! Either way though the CEO is being unlawful with this question and is classed as discriminatory, they are not allowed to ask if a female is pregnant or planning to be. They should be reported somehow.

Not going to be a concern for you soon though

No worries.

[funkyrobot]

Royce44 said:

Great to read this morning. I always felt that going part time wasn't the correct solution.

Really hope it all works out nicely for you. Keep this updated :-)

Thanks.

Docs appointment booked for this morning. Will be nice when I don't have to ring in each morning and speak to the manager.

[funkyrobot]

Doc visit done. I scored rather highly on the mental health check. So highly in fact that the doctor wants to put me on anti depressants and sleeping tablets. I have refused, for now, and I'm being reviewed in a few weeks.

Sick note sent to manager.

Just have to finalise the resignation stuff now.

[funkyrobot]

garyhun said:

So when does the resignation go live?

A very nice PH'er sent me some stuff over to read before I finalise the letter. It will be sent over tonight (when my daughter is in bed).

[funkyrobot]

No worries.

I can't really add more than Funk has. Go back and see someone else.

I was just thinking about how mental health has quite a stigma attached to it. It's something I guess that people find it hard to admit they have issues with. Especially the ego thing.

I hope the next person you see takes the time to talk to you about it properly. The chap I saw this morning was very good and gave me a lot time. You shouldnt be in and out and fobbed off.