Employer acting unreasonable and no idea what is going on

danmanvan

Hello everyone, this is my first post here but I am hoping someone can help me with a difficult situation.

Just over two weeks ago I was signed off work with stress-related symptoms. I work in a pressurised job and my workplace was essentially falling apart around me, with resignations, unreasonable requests for projects and excessive pressure from my boss.

Symptomatically, I started suffering heart pains, hadn't slept properly for about a month and I absolutely dreaded getting up in the morning.

My doctor signed me off, has given me tablets to help my blood pressure and was very supportive.

Last week, I decided that enough was enough really - and that the best decision would be for me to resign and start a new job without the stress and hassle.

On the day I resigned, I received quite a 'threatening' letter from my boss basically 'reminding me' of the company's sick policy, but I think reading between the lines it was essentially a 'get back to work or else' letter.

I was due to come back to work today anyway, and was all geared up to do so (to begin my notice period).

I resigned on Wednesday and heard nothing until the very end of Friday, at which point my boss emailed me saying not to come in today - and that they would be in touch with next steps, but not saying why I shouldn't come in or what those next steps would be. After hearing from some of the people in my team, I've learnt that during the past week the management have been lying to other staff about me and trying to pin faults onto me for some of the problems in the business (which is why other people are leaving). Some of this has involved absolute and outright lying.

Anyway, it's not almost midday and I haven't heard from my company - and I'm really angry. I've been off with stress and I'm still incredibly stressed by them. They're keeping me totally in the dark and I have no idea what the situation is, which is stressing me out even more. Have I been put on gardening leave? Or not? Or will I be asked back?

I've got no idea what the situation is and despite asking them to confirm when they will be contacting me, have heard nothing. It's really bad practice.

I'm not sure what to do - I feel like my employers are bullying me and acting very unreasonably, all because I handed my notice in after being off sick with stress (which was caused by them!).

What can I do?

bungle4by4

put it all behind you, it sounds like your done with the company. Just dont expect a leaving party and get on with your next step.

Jarndyce

What do you want to do? Return to work and take out a stressful and difficult bullying complaint? Would you have a) the evidence and b) the mental and physical capacity to go through with it?

Or would you rather see out your notice and move on, which is what you have apparently already decided to do when you handed in your notice?

Lets be clear here - you have resigned, so there is no going back, and however much you have attributed the stress you say is caused by your employer to your decision, there is nothing you can do about that now. If they don't want to to go in, then don't go in - the whole point of you resigning is to stop worrying about your work - so stop worrying about it and move on - that was after all your intention when you resigned.

danmanvan

Sorry - maybe I didn't make myself very clear.

The point is I have no idea what the next steps are.

I resigned - and then was told not to come in on Monday. But then I haven't heard anything.

I don't know where I stand - have I been put on gardening leave? Am I going to be paid my notice period? Am I going to be asked to come back in and work?

I need to know what position I am in financially. I don't want to go back - but I'd like to know what the company's response is!

meer53

danmanvan wrote: »

Sorry - maybe I didn't make myself very clear.

The point is I have no idea what the next steps are.

I resigned - and then was told not to come in on Monday. But then I haven't heard anything.

I don't know where I stand - have I been put on gardening leave? Am I going to be paid my notice period? Am I going to be asked to come back in and work?

I need to know what position I am in financially. I don't want to go back - but I'd like to know what the company's response is!

Only your company can tell you that. Ring them. They said they would be in touch, give them time.

getmore4less

Go to the doctors.

If you get signed off that solves the going back in issue.

Jarndyce

You need to ring your employer and ask!!

Even if you sign yourself off sick you need to know what they consider your status to be and when/whether they require you to work your notice.

getmore4less

Agree should phone and ask.

sick and notice can run concurently.

Might even qualify for full pay, if the sick policy does not pay full wages, depending on the contractual and statutory notice.

pinkshoes

getmore4less wrote: »

Go to the doctors.

If you get signed off that solves the going back in issue.

Depends if he gets full pay when sick or not.

As he has an email telling him not to come in, then effectively he is on gardening leave, so they have to give him full pay until the end of his notice period!

danmanvan, I'd just enjoy the time off. You have email evidence saying not to come in, so ultimately, if they refuse to pay you, you can send them a letter before action asking for salary and holidays paid, otherwise you'll take them to court.

getmore4less

pinkshoes wrote: »

Depends if he gets full pay when sick or not.

Employment act has provisions for full pay during notice, even if unable to work say due to sicknes or maternity leave.

daggy

Jarndyce wrote: »

What do you want to do? Return to work and take out a stressful and difficult bullying complaint? Would you have a) the evidence and b) the mental and physical capacity to go through with it?

Or would you rather see out your notice and move on, which is what you have apparently already decided to do when you handed in your notice?

Lets be clear here - you have resigned, so there is no going back, and however much you have attributed the stress you say is caused by your employer to your decision, there is nothing you can do about that now. If they don't want to to go in, then don't go in - the whole point of you resigning is to stop worrying about your work - so stop worrying about it and move on - that was after all your intention when you resigned.

My first reaction was that your post was ridiculous, so far as you're suggesting he should just lie down and take it up the jacksie, but that was a snap judgement and incorrect
I think your your advice is sound, but is it worth considering whether they will offer him a reference at the end of this? Being submissive now, could screw him over later.