Resigned by txt in heat of the moment

willis999

Hi all,
I have recently got my self in a situation, really need some advice.
I work for a small company, have done for last 8 yrs, last year I was given a promotion to team leader, I was relishing a new challenge but hasnt gone this way at all, Leaving me stressed and feeling very low. I have been undermined by other staff, bullied, and belittled, I have spoken to my managers regarding my concerns but was left with a frostly response, was told to get on with it, I did for a few months, but was getting more and more stressed about the lack of co operation from other staff and managers.
After a aggresive confrontation with a member of staff who refused to carry out the work I had been told to assign them, I asked to have another meeting with the md, to explain the situation and that I am starting to feel stressed and unable to cope.
I had the meeting with the MD, myself, my senior manager and the person who I had the issues with, after 15 minutes of being told we must make a effort with each other, the other staff member shouted abuse at me for no reason so at that point I just walked out!
I honestly felt threatened and intimidated at that point, felt so down and stressed and confused I hastily sent the MD a SMS message asking him to release me from my contract so I could claim benefitsntillminfind work, wrong move I know but was really down and confused.
The following day my wife had calmed me down and said I should call the office and tell them I am going to see a doctor as this is out of character for me, I made the call and was told ok.
I attended the doctor and explained the problems with him and he swiftly signed me off with work stress and told me to come see if in a week giving me a sick note for a week, when I return home, my wife has a recorded letter from my employer, the letter made me feel sick before I even opened it!
The letter confirmed the SMS message I had sent to the MD and that they had accepted my resignation, this sent me into panic mode, stressed and feeling very low.
I didn't respond to the letter, the next day today, I receive another recorded letter, saying that I was required to call in sick or forward sick notes to them as they had terminated my employment, and if however this is not what I had intended and I wish to remain employed by them, then could I please contact them to discus the situation.
When I had sent the message asking to resign I wasn't in the right mind to make that decision, I would still wish to remain employed by them, just need some time to sort my health issues.
The question is could I ask my doctor to write them a letter saying I was not in the right mind to make the decision due to stress I am under?
I don't feel I can talk to them yet as I feel physically sick every time they call or send me letters.

ILW

willis999 wrote: »

Hi all,
I have recently got my self in a situation, really need some advice.
I work for a small company, have done for last 8 yrs, last year I was given a promotion to team leader, I was relishing a new challenge but hasnt gone this way at all, Leaving me stressed and feeling very low. I have been undermined by other staff, bullied, and belittled, I have spoken to my managers regarding my concerns but was left with a frostly response, was told to get on with it, I did for a few months, but was getting more and more stressed about the lack of co operation from other staff and managers.
After a aggresive confrontation with a member of staff who refused to carry out the work I had been told to assign them, I asked to have another meeting with the md, to explain the situation and that I am starting to feel stressed and unable to cope.
I had the meeting with the MD, myself, my senior manager and the person who I had the issues with, after 15 minutes of being told we must make a effort with each other, the other staff member shouted abuse at me for no reason so at that point I just walked out!
I honestly felt threatened and intimidated at that point, felt so down and stressed and confused I hastily sent the MD a SMS message asking him to release me from my contract so I could claim benefitsntillminfind work, wrong move I know but was really down and confused.
The following day my wife had calmed me down and said I should call the office and tell them I am going to see a doctor as this is out of character for me, I made the call and was told ok.
I attended the doctor and explained the problems with him and he swiftly signed me off with work stress and told me to come see if in a week giving me a sick note for a week, when I return home, my wife has a recorded letter from my employer, the letter made me feel sick before I even opened it!
The letter confirmed the SMS message I had sent to the MD and that they had accepted my resignation, this sent me into panic mode, stressed and feeling very low.
I didn't respond to the letter, the next day today, I receive another recorded letter, saying that I was required to call in sick or forward sick notes to them as they had terminated my employment, and if however this is not what I had intended and I wish to remain employed by them, then could I please contact them to discus the situation.
When I had sent the message asking to resign I wasn't in the right mind to make that decision, I would still wish to remain employed by them, just need some time to sort my health issues.
The question is could I ask my doctor to write them a letter saying I was not in the right mind to make the decision due to stress I am under?
I don't feel I can talk to them yet as I feel physically sick every time they call or send me letters.

Sounds like they are offering you a way out. I would not ignore it if you wish to get your job back.

mynameistallulah

You need to talk to them yourself, not being "in the right mind" is a very extreme thing to say, and I doubt your GP would go so far as to suggest that you lacked capacity (as the statement implies).

If they do still want you to work there, then they will want you to work. Ask yourself, would you employ someone who was then going to instantly go on a period of sick leave?

Googlewhacker

By going off sick when the employer is trying to help will surely only make things worse....you need to talk to them!

HappyMJ

Forward the sick notes and explain the reason for the text messaging. You can sort this and keep your job.

agrinnall

I agree with the other replies that you have been offered a way to get your job back. The question you need to ask yourself is if you really want to go back. Will anything change to make you happy in the job? Has anything been said to you by the MD about the abuse you got in the meeting, and will you get the support you need to do the job? Having already resigned you aren't in a great position to negotiate, but if you can't sort things out before you return then maybe you should consider whether this is an opportunity to look for something more suitable.

willis999

I want my job back, but also wanted to take some sick leave to work out my problems, then return.

mynameistallulah

willis999 wrote: »

I want my job back, but also wanted to take some sick leave to work out my problems, then return.

If your problems are work related, then work need to be involved in resolving them.

TrickyWicky

Sounds to me like your staff have learnt to walk all over you and push you around.

Get back in there, all guns blazing, hand out some disciplinarys, written warnings, etc. Screw them all. I've had great bosses (the softees) and they're always the one who get it in the neck from the staff but they do an honest job.

Don't be pushed about, I've been in your situation in every job I've had, I've put up with it and let it grind me down. I look back and wonder why the hell I put up with it when I should of lost my rag. I did one day, the boss went to far and we had a massive row but by god it felt good to tell him exactly what I thought of him. Weirdly he had more respect for me after that too which was odd - I had expected hell (although that returned later for other reasons).

Don't be pushed about. Don't be afraid to speak your mind and point out other peoples faults. They think they're bl**dy perfect and you're not until you point out the errors of their ways and then suddenly it all seems to change.

princessdon

Ok look at facts

1) YOU resigned - the company owe you nothing! - Unless your comp policy and or contract state that the notice has to be writing and signed for example - then your resignation isn't binding.

2) They have said get in touch to sort it out if you want a job


So ball is in your court.

You either stick with your resignation (and all that it entails - including whether you get benefits if you resign etc) or you pick yourself up and communicate!

There are people out there who want a job - ANY job! Your employers seem very reasonable so meet them half way or leave. You can't expect your employers to pay your wages (I assume you are getting wages and not SMP there - so apologies if this is wrong), hold your job open - as you *may* return.

I'm not saying you haven't had a hard time - but this is really make or break. You may have resigned and as such they owe you nothing and stress from work if you have no work won't entitle you to any payments.

Northerness

Check your contract, most specify that you must resign "in writing", a text wouldn't usually be considered this.

Take the olive branch from your employer and explain that you thought you'd need to resign by letter - and the text reflected how upset and stressed you are about the situation at the time. Tell them you had no desire to quit and you were stressed -and also, that you want to sort this out first and foremost. You may also be able to negotiate, at the request of your doctor, a few days to recouperate from the stress so that you can return to work refreshed.