Quitting job before maternity leave

livalicious

Thanks for asking, but alas no, just as I thought, he dragged his heels, once again. He was much too busy with other important stuff, and this will have to be sorted next friday! Im seething, because Ive worked like a demon for 6 months and effectively made to feel like Im hassling him now.

But for my babies sake, Ive taken several deep breaths and calmed myself down. Fortunately, the person that was meant to start next week changed her mind about the job (lucky escape!) so they have to now find someone else, do interviews etc. So I wouldnt have to train next week, just show a colleague the ropes in case they dont find anyone in time. I dont mind this because next friday if this still is not sorted, or he decides not to pay out, then I will get signed off the following Monday, but at least I will have shown someone how to do the basics of my job (im the only one there who does it) and I wont feel so bad just jumping ship (for my colleagues sake, not my boss) and also I get a week's extra pay out of it, and only would then have to take 2 weeks sick instead of 3, then start my holiday and maternity pay.

Im still glad I took everyone's advice and not got all hot headed and walked out, which I would have done. And like u said before becominganobsessivesaver, I have to trust that fate will play out eventually and he will learn to treat his staff/people better (the hard way!)

becominganobsessivesaver

livalicious wrote: »

Im still glad I took everyone's advice and not got all hot headed and walked out, which I would have done. And like u said before becominganobsessivesaver, I have to trust that fate will play out eventually and he will learn to treat his staff/people better (the hard way!)

Fingers crossed for next week. To be honest he sounds like the sort who will never learn and always think he's right, but will have a much sadder life because of this!

mrs_sparrow

Sorry to hear that it did not go well but I think you was expecting it really.

I think in the meantime you should speak to ACAS and find out your legal rights in regards to this bonus, the day you get signed off put them all in writing so you no longer have to face him day in, day out, and then deal with it by letters so you have written correspondance to prove where you stand.

Don't cut off your nose to spite your face though.

And I did the same as you and make sure someone else was trained - I got no thanks for it at all, hard as it is (as you sound like me) don't go out of your way - if you are not going back and are not close friends with people there you will not feel bad once the baby comes along.

Sambucus_Nigra

Live - is this bonus in your contract, is everyone else getting it and has he given you a reason for not paying it?

livalicious

Basically, it wasnt in our contracts, it was just a one off deal, just meant for one other colleague and I. He made this offer back in January and said we would check the figures in June and get paid, and then again in December, this was before we knew I was pregnant.

Right ok, background info....My colleague and I process tax returns and claim client's expenses. We were told in January for every 100 client's tax return we receive to complete more than last year, we would get a bonus. A few weeks later he changed his mind and said for every 100 client's tax return that we ACTUALLY COMPLETE, not just receive, but send off and get paid for, we would get a bonus. This is because sometimes we would get the paperwork but not be able to process it because there is missing info, etc, so it would stay in the pending file.

We received 115 more tax returns to complete this year more than last year, but we actually managed to process over 300 tax returns more. This is because less paperwork went into pending than last year, because we chased clients up more actively to get the missing info sent. The boss is now saying, actually no, he meant tax returns we received back not what we processed. So he wants to give us a bonus based on the 115 and not the 300 we actually processed, so effectively we would miss out on getting a bonus for the 200 tax returns we done, which is basically a month's worth of work, done for absolutely nothing! :eek:

Phew, I hope that makes sense. So I dont know if we would have a case to take to the tribunal for constructive dismissal, as we dont have any of this in writing, only the word of my colleague and I.

This is such a bitter pill to swallow, its not done and dusted yet, but I suspect that we going to be left to dry . All i can really do now is just give the bare minimum of training to my colleague, I feel no loyalty whatsover to the company anymore. Im not generally the sort to do that, I take great pride in my work (I even prepared a guide a few months ago on how to prepare tax returns, etc for the person taking over from me in case they got stuck- but I actually destroyed it now, thats how little I want to do for this company now.) Sorry for waffling, im feeling pretty sorry for myself right now

londonsurrey

If there are two of you, you've got a stronger case - take it to HR and the union.

Sambucus_Nigra

Are you not getting paid anyway for the 2 months? Or are you saying you did that work for nothing. Ie zero?

livalicious

Its a very small firm so there is no HR and not part of a union, I did ask my colleague though if she would be willing to go to a tribunal if we didnt get the bonus and she was more than willing.

The bonus is for extra work done, we still get paid our normal wage

good_vibes

Defo up to a month EDD and going off sick, they can bring forward your mat leave.

embob74

I think the best thing is to do as you have planned - continue working until your ML date and then don't look back. If you are thinking of #pursuing a constructive dismissal case you will need to have filed grievances with your employer. Are you able to see an employment solicitor prior to leaving? I saw one when I was having problems at work while pregnant and they were great at letting me know what my rights were and how I could ensure I got them.
I compiled a detailed description of all my duties for my temp cover and regret that every day - I pretty much gave them my job on a plate! I'm glad you will not be being so pleasing :-)
I did pursue my employer for sex discrimination when I was made redundant while on ML but it was not an easy thing to do. No matter how righteous you feel or how much the law says your employer has done wrong the long wait and build up was intolerable sometimes. The employer will try every dirty trick to get you to back down including calling into question your work and attitude. You need to be prepared for a long, hard fight and lots of stress along the way.

Also as Sambucus said your employer could pursue you if you leave without proper notice. I was unlucky enough to be discriminated by a second employer due to being pregnant and I decided it wasn't worth the stress. I left giving no notice and they took me to the small claims court. The case was dismissed (thanks to help from MSE advice!) but it could easily have succeeded if the employer had known how to fix it so I was liable for replacement labour costs.