[Closed] Quitting my job

No, though I'm currently considering leaving on a point of principle

I'm sure the relief is fantastic, having made your decision

... but, though it will likely prolong your suffering and ultimately could be unsuccessful, holding out for a bit and beginning to fight them procedurally might just get you a settlement - if that would be useful to you

(and you [u]may[/u] find that having the resignation ready to deliver makes the next bit a lot more bearable)

Only you can make that decision, it sounds like you're doing for the good of your health which is very important.

No I've never done it but the last few weeks I've had at work and some more shit news on Friday I'm on the verge of telling them to go and **** themselves. Hopefully have meeting this week where i will be asking some serious questions.

I recently handed my notice in after 9 weeks at a company. I reported to the two owner/directors; of whom one was just an old school bully boss, and to be frank was happy about that situation. When I conducted 1-2-1's with the staff (not an idea that was popular with him) I found roughly 20% of the staff were actually physically scared of him. He had, before my time, assaulted a chap, and then claimed that he was dying of cancer, as an excuse for his behaviour (he wasn't, he was just an arse-hole). The other was a self serving conniving, scheming, two faced ****. His last comms with me was threatening me with his lawyers. That was 8 weeks ago, so he's living up to reputation.

Life is too short to work with idiots. I walked out with no job to go to, but in reality, the stress of it was killing me, and I had no choice. I'm very lucky that I've got friends who will make sure I'm OK, and I've found an excellent job now. Just remember; It will be OK in the end, and if it's not OK, it's not the end.

If your employers are dickheads then don't quit and make it easy for them.

Very poor form to start poor performance process while you are being treated for stress, it should be obvious that it's a related issue and that going down that path is only going to make your condition worse.

I would recommend NOT handing in your notice yet, but attending the meeting (with a rep, union if you are in one) and stating clearly that you feel that any performance issues are related to your condition, which has been brought on by work related stress and pointing out that you are already attending counselling for this at their expense, and that it feels to you that they are placing you in an intolerable position that may well account to disability discrimination.

At least that will peg out the possibility of a claim against them, and if they continue down the disciplinary path you have the option to walk claiming unfair dismissal, or nrgotiate an exit.

ninfan

Thanks for the response and advice.

I genuinely hadn't thought of that.
I will contact my Union Rep tomorrow and attend the meeting set up for this Friday.

Formal notice letter won't be handed in.

--

Thanks to all the other replies for the advice etc, genuinely appreciate it.

--

Just to shed some further light on the situation.

My manager has four direct reports, me being one of them.

Me, the QC Manager and the Supplier co ordinator were all given the same letter of poor performance on Friday.

Speaking from experience, work isn't worth making yourself ill over. I once ended up being out of work for six months whilst I got my shizzle back together.

If I were you I'd talk to your GP, in hindsight it's what I should've done but I lacked the self-awareness to realise what was going on. See if they'll sign you off with stress, take a break and then when you're feeling better start job-hunting.

Good luck.

Wow, well, at least they are not singling you out, but it's remarkably insensitive to subject you to that process while you are undergoing stress counselling anyway, and they really should not have done it since it's only going to make it worse, you definitley need to say that so its on record, and possibly comment that you feel that they are trying to push you out because you have been open about your problems

At least that means they might back off, or they might turn around and reassure you that it's not the case...

FWIW, I did similar after a boss turned on me when I put in a flexible working request that he didn't want to grant but was overruled by HR, suddenly everything became an issue and it was clear he was gunning for me, walked out with a nice compromise agreement only because my complaints were documented.

I presume the QC manager and supplier coordinator are also his reportees? It might be a consideration for you to all get together with the union bloke and point the finger at your boss as the nature of the problems!

A while ago yes. It was probably one of the best things I ever did. Went from worrying about everything 24/7/365 to being happy and relaxed in the space of about 2 days. Financially it was a bit of a kick for a bit but we survived.
Do it with a smile and say thanks for everything. Or scoop everything off your managers desk and throw the letter at him. Either way works dependant on your frame of mind at the time.

Make an emergency appointment with your GP and get signed off with work related stress. They cannot fire you in the short term.

That said, you don't seem to be enjoying your job - so is the assessment that your performance being poor fair or unfair.

Don't let yourself become a victim - just because one employer is an arse, doesn't mean another is!
I know ...

If your employers are dickheads then don't quit and make it easy for them.

Ninfan's already said what I would have done, so just to add my sympathies for your situation. I'd strongly suggest that you make careful notes of significant events (and get copies of related emails and policies off-site pronto).

You might wish to ask why the process has been started now, and in this way, especially given the many opportunities at 1:1 where no issues have been raised. What does your employer's policy say about this approach?

The claim against me under performing isn't justified.

The manager is a woman, the other two involved are not under performing either.

there has been a change in the workplace, all the very senior management have been replaced. The three of us still represent how the company was in the past in their eyes.

I worked there for 12 years, the other two for at least 8.

I actually enjoy the work content, always have, but the pressure demands and expectations are beyond.

Some of the quotes said to me by the Plant Manager

"Grow a pair" in response to me saying that I would have to think about an answer to a reasonably big decision.

" You are not dynamic enough for me"

" You are way, way too slow with this work"

I have confronted him directly and told him he will not speak to me like that. He didn't like that.

--

And just to compound it, last Friday.

I told him that a filter that should be used only once for a product to maintain its chemical integrity should only be used once. This is a fact backed up from the supplier.
The filter is £550.

He said, we're not doing that , use it repeatedly.

I told him that we shouldn't be doing this, he told me to just do it. The product is used for healthcare disinfection purposes, reasonably critical application.

Any of this documented?

If not you want to start on your ' insurance policy' now

Get everything written down, along with dates, times & witnesses.

Said openly in meetings.

Whether or not anyone will admit to it, then I can't answer.

But the grow a pair was said infront of the QC Manager - same poor performance......

Like I said, all written down and go through it point by point at your performance review if he's not going to be there, or demand an HR meeting without him.

You need to ask yourself now, would you want to see things get better again and stay, or would you prefer to make a clean break with a payoff (six months wages?) obviously this depends on your job prospects and financial position.

I told him that a filter that should be used only once for a product to maintain its chemical integrity should only be used once. This is a fact backed up from the supplier.
The filter is £550.

He said, we're not doing that , use it repeatedly.

I told him that we shouldn't be doing this, he told me to just do it. The product is used for healthcare disinfection purposes, reasonably critical application.

Let the QC manager know about this and tell your boss that is what you will be doing.

Well, I quit partly due to how I was treated (though it was probably about time to leave anyway for other reasons). You could put yourself through more stress by fighting it out - and I'm not trying to put you off this - but it's lovely to just walk away and not have to care about it, even if it's not "fair". A job you're not getting on with - for whatever reason - isn't much fun.

Personally I'd just get out (if you can afford to), life is too short pick battles with employers especially if just working there is making you ill.

NB I walked out of my job in 2008 after a nervous breakdown. Left to way too late and it took years to get back to my normal self, should have quit months earlier.

A few thoughts:
1. They sound like gits and you don't want gits in your life, certainly not ones who have any power over you...
2. If you have a Union rep, get them involved
3. As said above - if they're coming out with questionable, bullying or otherwise unacceptable comments, get them written down. Even if it seems a bit unnecessary, it's builds up a picture of inappropriate bevhaviour which you can use if necessary to prove your point. I've done this in the past and just emailed it to my hotmail address at the end of every day so I have a safe copy...
4. Life's too short. I've left without a job to go to in the past and come out far better off... better job, better money and greater sense of confidence and self-respect

cheers guys.

I will go to the Doctors in the morning.

Contact my area Union rep - no workplace union etc.

Get in touch with the independent counselor that I have been seeing - have a regular appointment for Mondays at 4.30pm anyway.

This sounds like a back door redundancy effort. Sack for poor performance and avoid the payments.

If they are using a filter beyond its spec for a healthcare or pharma product then report it. In my line of work (pharma) that would get you escorted off the site and potentially a prison sentence

I'm handing in my notice,in the new year.No overriding reason.It's not terrible.I just don't like working there anymore.
Probably a stupid idea (nothing lined up,no particular skills) but I don't have any ties (other than paying for food/rent) and life is too short to spend 50 hours a week being miserable.

If a "manager" has 3 reports and they [u]all[/u] have "poor performance", whose fault is that likely to be?

If they try to sack you it looks like you might have some good evidence for unfair dismissal. Not that I suggest you go that far, but as you say, you enjoy the work, so if you want to get things changed and stay there, you may have some leverage.

I'll update later tomorrow, thanks for all the support.

I need to get my life back, been too long worrying.

OP i have been there a couple of times , Defo speak to Union get advice ,ultimately your sanity is more import ant than getting one over ,you have made the decision to write the letter (how good did it feel?) i was in a similar situation and i walked away with my families support - what is around the corner is better than what you are going through - do not waste precious time looking for a way out - take the way out and live . Also defo get back out on the bike .

Picking up from Grahamt1980 if the company / line manager are doing something wrong it would be worth having a look at these

https://www.gov.uk/whistleblowing/overview

http://m.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=1919

Good luck

All depends on how good your union is, mine is utter crap....

Don't hand your notice in !

See your Doc you maybe depressed from the stress....do get back riding slow as you like for fun it will help clear your head !

Approach other three and see if joint approach via HR can sort this manager out ...

If its a big company no doubt there's an integrity line or something similar report the filter issue or report to CEO who's will take a dim view.

Get some time off via Doc to put yourself in a better/calmer place then formulate a plan to get work elsewhere if necessary whilst still getting paid....adding money problems wont help with your stress levels.

Funny how all this sounds so similar...Grow a Pair - sounds like a right dickhead !

Good luck

PS I got told on tues my job is at risk, 39 out of 57 of my colleagues as well Merry Xmas hey, they want 24 gone by the end of Jan, business reason is that they bought a company who makes no money so their cutting us cos the other one is based in Germany protected by their laws !!

Sorry to go on about this, but please, please report the filter issue.
It might have no consequence at all, but also it could have a substantial one too.
I have heard stories through the MHRA reporting where a mis-sized washer in a machine making tablets resulted in the recall of millions of tablets (cost ~3bn)
The smallest things can have massive consequences.

I quit my job nearly 3 years ago. Stress, declining industry, dickhead managers, back stabbers, corporate nonsense.

You work to live not to die.

Life really is too short to put up with crap.

Plan your way out but make a noise along the way as it appears you're being treated pretty badly.

Hope it works out. If it's any consolation, I wouldn't go back to where I was. Far happier these days and I don't miss the corporate crap at all.

"He said, we're not doing that , use it repeatedly"
Ask him to put that in writing...

Re the filter. In your line of work, I'd assume you are quality accredited, and this is why quality control can never be the responsibility of the production guy - because his interests are driven by on time in full production, and squeezing through stuff at low cost on the edge of what's allowed. Report it in writing to the qa guy and the higher level management. Seems like he's trying to bully his way into getting stuff done / managing you out, and you have to stand up to bullies, both for principle, but also it clears the way to offering a 'we don't see eye to eye, pay me and I'll go quietly' offer, which I think is probably what you want here.

Technicality - just because supplier says single use only, doesn't mean you can't reuse it. However, you'd need to run several batches under close control to prove the limitations, quarantining and fine tooth combing the trial batches in the meantime. You can't just wing it and hope you get away with it. If you don't want to go all out confrontation, offer to organise and run a proper study but in the meantime, refuse to change the SOP until it is proved.

Used to work for a complete git who was the most racist, sexist, homophobic ****t you've ever met. He was a director, my line manager and also a proper bully. Used to use my mobile in my pocket to record 1 to 1 meetings with him (press record BEFORE you enter the room) which came handy no end.

Life's too short to work with idiots. Felt good quitting.

Good luck.

My advice would be to write everything down, dates, times and as much detail as you can. Evidence like that will be very useful, either in a disciplinary hearing or if you go down the constructive dismissal route...which sounds like you will have a very good case if you do.

Ultimately, I would start looking for another job and get away from a toxic situation.

IMHO get out and start a new chapter.

When you do, you'll wonder why you didn't do it sooner (I talk from experience)

update

Culdn't sleep - woke up at 3am.

Phoned in to work that I would be going to the doctors.

Doctor gives me one month off, and 14 sleeping tablets.

Went to see the independent counsellor - she said to take the time off and think over the potential options.

Union rep contacted me , discussed the situation. They will represent me when I return to work. They agree that it looks like I am being squeezed out.

Ref the filter situation
email me on singletrack99@gmail.com

Sounds tough.

Just to echo Greybeard : If 3 out of 4 direct reports have "poor performance" then surely the competence of the manager could also be called into question at the appropriate time.

Go out swinging - your ego is an integral aspect of your health - All the cliches apply - life is way too short - freedom or death ... When the dust settles you'll be stronger ... Telling the government you suffer from stress isn't going to help you ...

With regard to the filter, the frequency of changing almost certainly will be covered by a Standard Operating procedure detailing how and when it must be replaced. Your company WILL need these to meet its Good Manufacturing Process standard as required by the MHRA.

All batches of product will not only need a QC check but also need to be signed off by the Qualified Person, a member of staff who is legally responsible for the batch. It's a massively responsible position and, if someone is not following the SOPs, WILL want to know about it, believe me!

The company's very existence depends on following these standards - if you're manager is trying to circumvent them, they will not be there long...

Rachel (13 years in Pharma)

edit - your case might come under "medical device" laws rather than pharma which is a little more lax but still has a lot of the above

In case it helps: I was signed off for a month with stress after a dodgy contract went adrift. It was nothing to do with me really, except that I was piggy in the middle. I gained an impression that this caught the attention of others way higher up the pyramid. Nothing more was said.

Occurs to me that the filter issue could be really useful

Had you made an issue of it internally/reported it to anyone before this manager started the poor performance action?

Union rep might want to start mentioning whistleblower protection legislation...

Ref the filter issue.

I'm the filter expert on site. I amended the current SOP in light of the filter supplier saying that the filter will lose it effectiveness after one use.

I suggested in the draft SOP that the filter just be used once and then transferred to a less critical use.

This will cause some issues with the cost of goods and managing a new supply of filters for each separate batch.

the plant manager could see the production implications and asked me if we had any issues in final product testing related to filter effectiveness.

I said, not to my knowledge, which is true.

But I pointed out that it was not good practice and we are going against the filter supplier recommended usage for this particular application.

He said, well we haven,t had any failures. I said that the sample size was too small to draw any conclusions.

That was last Friday afternoon.

The meeting finished and I was handed the letter.

The filter issue is quoted in my poor performance .

The SOP will probably be amended by someone to his wishes without them understanding the implications....

Oof! Golden stuff, poor performance process being used to silence for you speaking out on potential safety issues.

you definitley need to discuss that aspect with the union, and more than likely their solicitor too, you need to take their advice on whether and when to take it to the regulator.

ACAS do loads of stuff on whistleblowers

Only one other witness in the room whilst this took place.

Might not be able to count on him.

He used to work for him in their previous jobs.

However, if he goes ahead and changes the SOP, from my draft, then that,lol be different

Easy for me to find out, I, ve worked there for 12 years.

If all this only happened on Friday, write down a note of the meeting while it is still fresh in your mind. These things still have value even if you don't have an independent witness.

If you can be bothered, email the plant manager saying what your advice was and why, and that you understand that he proposes to disregard it. Ask him to tell you if your understanding is not correct. That forces him either to respond or to acknowledge your account is correct, and creates a record of the discussion.

The three of us who have had the same letter are meeting today to discuss how we handle this.

Meanwhile, I have signed up at the local gym, had my first visit and intend to get healthier in body and mind.

Whatever the work situation - I will be changing my lifestyle.

Denis99, I'd think about getting out.

I know it will feel good to stick it to the boss over the filter thing, and you don't want to feel like they've pushed you out of your job (i.e. won), but if you're stressed and ill, you don't need the hassle of it all.

Take your month or so off and get well, then look for another job, and move on. Work towards your future, instead of the future of a company you don't want to work for.

If you still want to push the filter issue, put the info in your notice email and copy in everyone (reps, managers, directors, suppliers.... everyone!). You cant do more than that, so if they still want to ignore your good, professional advice, f@*k em, it wont be your problem anymore...

Just my advice, but hope you get sorted either way.

cheers.

I'm prepared to just hand my notice in.

But I will return after one month and see what actually happens.

Haven't been able to switch off when I was in work.

Came home and fell asleep in my chair for a good 30 to 40 minutes each evening.

Used to enjoy reading, but couldn't concentrate. Looking forward to forgetting the work issues.

Started reading Zero History by William Gibson.

Meanwhile, I have signed up at the local gym, had my first visit and intend to get healthier in body and mind.

Good bloke. Mentally treat looking for something new as your major focus, and working towards a satisfactory settlement at work as a bit of a sideline.

IMO, you may well have the upper hand in this situation. Worst case, you leave and find something new on your terms, which you'd probably do anyway. Best case, you get a decent settlement to do exactly the same thing and use the misbehaviour of your bosses to pass all that stress onto them.

Stay well.

Good man 🙂

As an aside, I'm reading 'The Peripheral' right now, Gibson's latest.

And......I've just quit. Life's too short.

Rorschach

I admire your courage.

It's a little different for me , although it might end up just the same outcome.

Met with my two other friends in the same situation this evening. It seems like we are to a greater or lesser extent, passengers in this process now.

I,ve never been out of work since leaving school, I,m 60 next month!

The thread will likely go quiet from me now, the other two have their interviews this Friday, mine will be when I return to work.

Thanks for all the replies and support , affirms my believe in ordinary folk, cyclists are a good bunch. Hoping to get fit and healthy enough to return to my playground called Afan soon.

Don't post very often ,but read your post n speaking from experience in my work history same as many on here QUIT.
But also report the safety breach.

I have just quit a bakery i worked in because the boss was a bully out n out, women are the worst ,as in this case too.

Gone with another company part time ,less money but much better work life balance n far happier.

Resurrecting the original post, just to thank everyone for their comments and advice.

Returned to work on Monday of this week, my boss had basically offered me a supporting role , working for my current job position.

Sheer coincidence has seen me injure my left tibia in the gym, ironic , but I can hardly walk now. Been to the doctors and had a x Ray also.

I'm sure it will be ok after resting etc, but as a result I'm not in work again.

This is not like me at. All.

However, seeing that I have a better state of mind and lower stress, as a result of beginning to get body and mind better, I am going to hand my notice in on Monday.

Going back , even for the short term, is just not an option for me now.

I would prefer to get the people who have contributed to the work stress situation out of my life.

Haven't got any job to go to, turn 60 at the end of the month.

Will resume the gym when fit enough, have bought a bike again, will spend time getting body and mind healthy.

Will probably look for a lower paid job, less stress and be happy with a new work life balance , probably in 6 months time or so.

Good Luck 🙂

p.s. If I was a customer and my supplier was delivering potentially defective products because it was using its production equipment inappropriately against manufacturers instructions I would be grateful to know about it.