Throwing in the towel
Discussion
Suspect quite a few of us in similar positions but due to the worship of the money god....
Anyway - I'd treat the 3 day working week with a pinch of salt. Sounds like a manager that is telling you what you want to hear without having a clear plan on how to deliver it. If you are already so under the cosh that leave is cancelled and weekends need working, then how is the slack in you working 4 days fewer a week (counting weekends) going to be made up?
There is no harm in trying it, but using the extra days to develop an exit is probably a wise move.
Anyway - I'd treat the 3 day working week with a pinch of salt. Sounds like a manager that is telling you what you want to hear without having a clear plan on how to deliver it. If you are already so under the cosh that leave is cancelled and weekends need working, then how is the slack in you working 4 days fewer a week (counting weekends) going to be made up?
There is no harm in trying it, but using the extra days to develop an exit is probably a wise move.
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.
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.
This is a really interesting thread as I found myself in the same position (except no children) and I have taken the decision to go.
Some may have seen my "Ask Anything" thread about my role as a crash safety centre manager - the actual nuts and bolts, engineering, designing test equipment and solutions, working with genuinely brilliant and dedicated people etc is awesome and I will truly miss it. The long days, reduced staff and facilities, unrealistic turnover and profit targets, no business development support and endless process and system changes when a new director who wants to put their mark on things comes in wore me down and I quit last month.
I am leaving at the end of this month but it could have been a year ago truth be told. We absolutely smashed our budgets last year in the face of staff layoffs and facilities being taken away and none of the senior staff or I received a bonus - we hit all metrics apart from the "CEO's discretion" one which of course was the one that meant "no bonus". Someone earlier used the phrase "jam tomorrow" and that could not be more true. It's become worse since then and I think a large part of that's my lack of motivation. The results are not fair on my team, my partner, or my mental health so I'm going.
In my situation I would not trust promises of "light at the end of the tunnel" as far as I could throw them. We've a multi-million pound pension deficit and the only thing that matters is bottom line now by hook or by crook. We are meant to be here for the advancement of knowledge and we're being nailed to the wall if it doesn't also make a huge profit - this is not possible.
I've reduced work to my core hours since I've quit; it's like a weight's been lifted. I'm actually enjoying the job more since then too, weirdly. But I've 7 days to go and I can't wait to leave. I'll have July off and then hopefully start a new role but I've nothing lined up yet.
I truly believe that those who say "life's too short" are 100% correct in this situation. There are other jobs at other companies in other areas of work in different parts of this or other countries. Losing sleep, going grey, dreading work, becoming ill are not worth it.
Good luck in whatever you choose to do.
Some may have seen my "Ask Anything" thread about my role as a crash safety centre manager - the actual nuts and bolts, engineering, designing test equipment and solutions, working with genuinely brilliant and dedicated people etc is awesome and I will truly miss it. The long days, reduced staff and facilities, unrealistic turnover and profit targets, no business development support and endless process and system changes when a new director who wants to put their mark on things comes in wore me down and I quit last month.
I am leaving at the end of this month but it could have been a year ago truth be told. We absolutely smashed our budgets last year in the face of staff layoffs and facilities being taken away and none of the senior staff or I received a bonus - we hit all metrics apart from the "CEO's discretion" one which of course was the one that meant "no bonus". Someone earlier used the phrase "jam tomorrow" and that could not be more true. It's become worse since then and I think a large part of that's my lack of motivation. The results are not fair on my team, my partner, or my mental health so I'm going.
In my situation I would not trust promises of "light at the end of the tunnel" as far as I could throw them. We've a multi-million pound pension deficit and the only thing that matters is bottom line now by hook or by crook. We are meant to be here for the advancement of knowledge and we're being nailed to the wall if it doesn't also make a huge profit - this is not possible.
I've reduced work to my core hours since I've quit; it's like a weight's been lifted. I'm actually enjoying the job more since then too, weirdly. But I've 7 days to go and I can't wait to leave. I'll have July off and then hopefully start a new role but I've nothing lined up yet.
I truly believe that those who say "life's too short" are 100% correct in this situation. There are other jobs at other companies in other areas of work in different parts of this or other countries. Losing sleep, going grey, dreading work, becoming ill are not worth it.
Good luck in whatever you choose to do.
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.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.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 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.
Thank you - I am seriously considering changing my LinkedIn status to "Watching the World Cup in my pants" for a month but fear that this may be detrimental to my prospects of future employment.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.
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 said:
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.
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. 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.
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.
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?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.
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?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 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).
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 f
kers then you should too.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 said:
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.
People stop considering and just act and put these absolute morons behind you. Life is too short to be pestered by some weirdo waiting outside toilets for you! What an unbelievable lack of trust! 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.
Call in sick and hand in your notice. Book a dr’s appointment and claim stress and explain to the dr the situation.
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).Time to complain to 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.
Gassing Station | Jobs & Employment Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff