I've just quit!!

[Pagey]

Well about 4.5 hours ago.


And had great pleasure in tell my prospective new boss to 'go fark himself'

Basically I work (at the present time for *company A who are contracted to provide a 'service' *company B) Company B put the contract out to tender and Company C have won the contract.

Now when I first heard about the contract going to tender I was approached by a *manager for the client and assured that I would have a job under TUPe (I already knew this) if *Company A didn't win the Tender, during the Tender process I was also told by 'my Client' that he was pleased that I would still be with him no matter the outcome.

Fast Forward several weeks and it is announced that *Company C have won the contract my current employer was gutted (shame he is a really nice bloke)

TUPE procedeures going through and yesterday I meet (unplanned) one of the new company representatives on site (he had arranged meetings with a couple of our other staff and they had told him where I was in the building) - basically I was in the Gym having my daily workout (everyone who 'needed' to know where/how to get hold of me knew exactly where I was) I'm pounding the treadmill and catch a reflection in the mirror of 'someone in a suit' standing at the door with his arms folded, watching me looking in the next mirror thinking WTF is that the guy looks at his watch, looks at me, looks at his watch - he knows I have seen him.

Im looking thinking who the F is that, he's got a visitors badge hanging round his neck. Anyways I start my cool down and start slowing up and as I'm down to walking pace this guy walks up to me and flashes his ID card at me - Its one of the bosses from Company C. He requests that we have a chat!

I wasn't available to have a chat as I 'had an appointment' in the gym in 5 mins and advised him of this and told him that if he was seeing any of the other staff I could check whether there had been any alterations to the days schedule with the PA to whom I reported and see him in about an hour and a half (hour long session and then a shower)

He wasn't overly impressed - Shame! And told me that 'my little classes would stop - that was a chargeable 'extra' that they *Company C could and would arrange' My off the cuff comment of "excellent - does that mean I get a pay rise" didn't go down to well.

he started telling me that I wasn't making a good impression of myself and........................

At this point the door opens and in walks my appointment freshly warmed up from jogging around the carpark and grounds several times
I reiterate that I will see him in an hour and a half in reception subject to the OK from upstairs and ask him for a card so that I can call him if there are any changes - he's not impressed and throws a steely glare at my appointment - I discreetly whisper to him who it is and he retorts "I'm fully aware" and stomps out of the Gym

After a shower I find him in reception and we go off to an empty meeting room - during our meeting, he starts mentionong TUPE etc, my job, whether I wish to TUPE across blah, blah blah. That there will be some changes - firstly my classes will stop! I point out who the person was, the fact that as my client was concerned about them I had offered my services - as they were paying for my time, I might aswell put it to something usefull instead of sitting reading the newspaper or drinking coffee.

Long and short of it is - The guy was a complete to55er, he knew he had inherited me along with the contract, and I got the impression he didn't like my style, methods etc and was keen for me to be one of his little robots. We were briefly interupted by reception advising me that 'X has asked me to let you know that XX is ready for lunch in 30 minutes'

I'm polite to Mr T055er and make my excuses to leave as I need to go upstairs and find out what the SP is I get a bundle of paperwork thrust at me and am advised to read through it, if I have any questions to call XXX and he would be in touch to arrange a formal meeting after Easter as I hadn't really got of to a good start


I shoot upstairs and get the brief for lunch (in the space of 5 minutes, it had been delayed another 30 mins) PA asks me if I want coffee and I shoot outside for a quick stress relief smoke (she twigs something is wrong as I very rarely smoke)

Puffing away I keep an eye on 'the upstairs window' for the he's ready signal, I wander back upstairs and get told - "still on the phone"
and then get asked "penny for them"

The PA asks if 'I'm staying' because X is expecting me to, and wants me to etc, my response of at this moment in time I honestly don't know is met with a concerned look and a further comment of "you do know that you are the only one he trusts, and likes?"
We have a brief conflab about the mornings events and its time to go for lunch.

To cut to the chase, I spoke to mr prospective new employer, after lunch on the phone, got a load more waffle about training courses, (err i've been doing the job 10 years), rota system of 4 on 4 off - WTF! Some cr4p about having more time at home as any abroad trips would be handled by another department.

Anyway I have the B/Hol off as Client has gone home for Easter and mulling the if's and but's whilst heading home from taking the Client home last night I had a chat with my current boss about the situation - he can't offer me anything else at the present time (we had this discussion weeks ago) his take on the situation is that It was me and a couple of the team that they client wanted - it didn't matter to them who they paid for the service..........

Decided to shoot into site today and use the GYM, I pull up on site and there is MR To553r talking to the Security Guard - obviously about TUPE etc - I nod a polite acknowledgement and signal to the guard that I'm going to the Gym. Having a bit of a session on the punchbags and in he walks again FFS!!! and starts talkin AT Me not to me - everone else is coming across (whoopy fing doo!! I think) and I need to meet with the training manager, the area manager and this and that...............
I'm still working out on the bag, hitting it harder and harder because he is starting to irritate the F**K out of me. It got to the point where I nearly swapped the bag for his nose and when he said "are you listening to me? this concerns your future employment, we are team players, are you? and some other twaddle about the GYM being for employees not for contractors

My response of "No, Im not listening to you, Im hitting this and imagining that it's you because you are starting to pee me off, I'm on a day off, I don't work for you, and I'm never going to work for you because you are a Nob,so go F**K yourself and the best advice I can give you is to F**K off out of my face right now before the next punch or kick misses the bag"


Ahh so much easier getting it off my chest on here - telling the missus didn't go down very well


So in a few weeks time I'm unemployed - anyone want to give me a job?

[Primo]

Yeah good move. You sound like an ideal employee to have.

[bonsai]

Pagey said:

So in a few weeks time I'm unemployed - anyone want to give me a job?

Sure, first I'll just need a reference from your last position.

[Pagey]

bonsai said:

Pagey said:

So in a few weeks time I'm unemployed - anyone want to give me a job?

Sure, first I'll just need a reference from your last position.

My current employer will give me a glowing reference

I don't have to TUPE across to new contractor, so my current employer will be my last employer.

Edit: and have just sent an email confirming 4 weeks notice (I finish the day before the new company takes over)

Edited by Pagey on Saturday 3rd April 00:31

[Great Pretender]

Pagey said:

Stuff

Without wishing to offend, your post was almost illegible and I gave up half way through. So for the benefit of other readers I shall summarise my interpretation of your situation:

You worked for Company A who in turn Contracted to Client B.

Client B decided to award the re-tendered contract to Company C and thus you are contractually obliged to be TUPED across to work for Company C. However (and quite understandably) Company C have pledged to reduce costs (which I assume is why they won the tender) and so some of your previous privileges have been removed. As a result, you decided that rather than keep your job in what is currently a volatile market, you'd rather be out of work for the sake of a free gym pass and a different management style under Company C (which again is to be expected).

So erm, well done

Join the dole queue behind me

[hman]

What can I say, you obviously weren't going to get on with the guy and he thought he had you by the balls so fair enough - best to walk away.

Maybe I'd do the same if I had another job to go to but family, motgage etc force me to keep working.

Still theres always the day when I go postal huh.

[groomi]

Hmmmm... somewhere in the OP is a story about a knob, but I'm not quite sure who it is.

[Pagey]

Great Pretender said:

Pagey said:

Stuff

Summarised!!

. As a result, you decided that rather than keep your job in what is currently a volatile market, you'd rather be out of work for the sake of a free gym pass and a different management style under Company C (which again is to be expected).

So erm, well done

Join the dole queue behind me

Your summary was pretty much bang on.

I'm not worried about the free gym pass I have permission from the man at the top to use it as and whenever I want.

As for the dole queue - I have never signed on in my life (I'm moonlighting tomorrow night) but heck maybe it's time for a change in life.

groomi said:

Hmmmm... somewhere in the OP is a story about a knob, but I'm not quite sure who it is.

You sir are entitled to your opinion

It strikes me as strange that he arranged to see everyone else - but took it upon himself to just catch me on the hop, both times. Even after he said yesterday that he would arrange a formal meeting.

Ironically I have just had an email back from my current employer, he has received my notice, and infoming me the current staff are supposed to nominate a spokesperson to liase with the incoming company and the majority suggested me Well I think thats a No now!

[Scraggles]

OP's profile is QCO, had to google for it

http://www.thecqi.org/Membership/Chartered-Quality...

suspect that is not it ?

the new company comes across like one of my old companies, think they got bought out by someone else

[Pagey]

Scraggles said:

OP's profile is QCO, had to google for it

http://www.thecqi.org/Membership/Chartered-Quality...

suspect that is not it ?

I'm a Professional babysitter/gopher/general dogsbody all rolled into one. But it has is its perks or rather had!

Woken from my slumber by a rather shocked PA this morning who informed me that my email last night informing her that I had quit was a few days late for an April Fool

[Gnits]

Lucky you found out what he was like!

[omgus]

Pagey, I'm going to guess Security/CP. In which case you will be able to find work easily, i have dealt with the TUPE situation from both sides and have watched a couple of Managers give it the "Mr Big". From the sounds of it you did exactly what i would do.
I am currently on a contract involving 2 sister sites. When the staff Tupe'd over operations one site was dealt with by my Line Manager and myself, and a very experienced (much more than myself and the boss) Manager was contracted to do the same on the sister site, he didn't, 9 months after he left and we are still dealing with the fall out of how he treated everyone. Let Mr Big Balls have his fun and feel like he has won a moral victory, sounds like he needs it.

[Pagey]

Yep thats what I do!


Having spent the last hour of so on Phone calls with Various Managers from the Client and a somewhat stressed PA it would appear that a can of worms has been opened.


The guy that awarded the contract phoned me and his first question was whether I had been put up to it by my current employer or was I hoping to achieve a pay rise by throwing down a guantlet
I think "I wouldn't work for XX even if they offered to double my salary" may have struck a chord.

I would love to be a fly on the wall during any conversations with the new contractor


Ah well its saturday afternoon, its not raining - time for a Blast!!!

[stuart-b]

Pagey said:

Yep thats what I do!


Having spent the last hour of so on Phone calls with Various Managers from the Client and a somewhat stressed PA it would appear that a can of worms has been opened.


The guy that awarded the contract phoned me and his first question was whether I had been put up to it by my current employer or was I hoping to achieve a pay rise by throwing down a guantlet
I think "I wouldn't work for XX even if they offered to double my salary" may have struck a chord.

I would love to be a fly on the wall during any conversations with the new contractor


Ah well its saturday afternoon, its not raining - time for a Blast!!!

But aren't you the one that needs the work and has expenses and a mortgage to pay?

Sure the guy might be a total dick, but you might outlast him if he only manages a few weeks/months, then you are in an even better situation.

Why can't you work out how to wind this guy up without being able to be sacked? Make his life hell instead if he treats you badly? Sounds like you're able to based on how you've already wound him up.

Just imagine his face if you turn up to work again "I changed my mind about quitting, so let's get started" - he would probably walk!

If you can find other work just as easily and have all the perks then fair enough, otherwise I'd test the water a bit if I were you.

[dilbert]

I obviously don't know anything about the situation.

The thought that crossed my mind was that the OP must be pretty confident about his future. Equally, it's nice to see (or hear) someone doing it properly.

After all, the way it should be is that if you don't like your boss, you just move on. To me, the idea that you stick around, dig in and battle for attrition with your boss is just so "New Labour".

This attrition stuff is everywhere, and it's bringing the country to paralysis.

I just hope things work out for both the employer and the employee.

Edited by dilbert on Saturday 3rd April 23:49

[TurricanII]

OP, why don't you try to arrange to work for your client, rather than company C, to manage the work of company c for your client? That way, the knob in a suit would have to keep you sweet if he wanted to keep the contract. Or you might even be able to ask the directors of Company C to supply an alternative point of contact because the interpersonal skills of the knob are lacking.

[Fer]

Somebody pass the popcorn while we wait for Tuesday morning's update.

I hope everything works out for the OP.

[Rothgo Wooft]

Feels great, doesn't it!

[siscar]

There is a phenomenon I call 'invaluable employee syndrome' where people think that they are far more important to the organisation than they really are, in fact often they are an obstacle to the organisation moving forwards. The invaluable employee thinks that they do a wonderful job and everyone relies on them and often nobody disabuses them of this, they think that the place would fall apart without them.

Yet when they do go usually things don't fall apart, often they improve. Never think you are invaluable because one day you discover that you aren't.

Of course I have no way of knowing whether the OP is in this category, but all the hallmarks are there.

[dilbert]

siscar said:

There is a phenomenon I call 'invaluable employee syndrome' where people think that they are far more important to the organisation than they really are, in fact often they are an obstacle to the organisation moving forwards. The invaluable employee thinks that they do a wonderful job and everyone relies on them and often nobody disabuses them of this, they think that the place would fall apart without them.

Yet when they do go usually things don't fall apart, often they improve. Never think you are invaluable because one day you discover that you aren't.

Of course I have no way of knowing whether the OP is in this category, but all the hallmarks are there.

There is another "syndrome" though. That's the useless employee syndrome.

I worked somewhere once. They wouldn't pay me what I thought I was worth. In fact they weren't really paying me enough to survive. I left. There was no self congratulation, and in fact I had some considerable angst, because I knew it would be difficult to find another job.

Had they been prepared to negotiate I might have been prepared to consider continuing. Who knows? They wouldn't even negotiate. That, and my boss was partial to insulting me, quietly, when no-one else was listening.

So about two months after I left, I got a call from them. I know what happened, even though they never said. Basically the work had backed up to unmanageable proportions. Like it was when I joined.

They still wouldn't negotiate, so the only thing it could have been, is that the employer thought my situation would have become desperate in the mean time. So desperate that I would consider their original offer.

Perhaps that's all they could afford for the job I did? If so, it's unfortunate, for them and me.

What I think I'm trying to say, is that if an employer views all their staff the same, or worse by their experience nee longevity, they don't always keep the staff they want.

With successful employers having so much power these days, it's difficult for them to get the balance right. For those who are unsuccessful, it's the other way about. The unsuccessful can't get rid of their staff fast enough, and the whole thing ends up ditched in the mud, for the sake of not making people redundant.

IMO the whole thing needs to be a lot more fluid. I think that the situation was initially regulated with the hope of genuine improvement. Then it became the burden that made our country uncompetitive. Finally there is the fear of it's abolition. In the same way it slowed growth, it's now slowing recovery.

The trouble is that we'll still be downsizing, whilst others are growing.

Edited by dilbert on Monday 5th April 18:41