Managing exit from company

ripofflondon

Hi all

A dilemma I would like to seek advice on, if I may.

About 4 months ago I took an IT job with a big well-known company. It is a permanent position and I am still on probation. I had been finding it difficult to secure work and so ended up being a bit creative on my CV. At the time I was offered the job I was aware I was suffering from depression and initially didn't tick the appropriate box on the form, but then thought better of it and went to retrieve the form from HR to do so only to be told it was "too late".

Since starting the job, I have done very little productive work and my appraisals have been increasingly negative; my last one consisted of an ultimatum ie shape up or get shipped out. All fair enough.

Over the last couple of months, with other things going on in my life, my depression has got worse and I failed to turn up to work without telling them a couple of Mondays ago (for which I got a warning) and then did the same thing again last Monday. For this I was suspended and told I had to attend a disciplinary meeting on Thursday. I didn't attend this meeting or tell them and then got a letter saying I was now AWOL and that the meeting had been postponed till next Thursday.

Following the advice of a friend, I went to the doctor on Thursday evening and got signed off work with a sick note. This was emailed to them late on Friday.

Now - I know I am on my way out of this company. Obviously resigning before waiting to get fired has got to be high on the agenda, but want to somehow manage the process in such a way it doesn't become a complete train wreck, for the sake of my depression and future job prospects.

Any suggestions, please?

unlikelyheroine

I'm not an expert. But I went through a hard time myself once and wanted a way out of a job that I was concerned I would be fired from. I simply went to HR and told them I would resign and I would appreciate a factual reference as to dates worked. Although I was getting bad appraisals I was not quite at the level of warnings for poor performance (though I was sure this was imminent) and so my reference showed a clear record (in the past in the same role I had worked hard and done ok). Given I had been there for a few years I could have tried to argue for a compromise agreement but in all honesty I had to get out and use my energy on getting another job, which thankfully I did. As you are on probation and have been there a short time you don't have too many rights or protections and if you feel you are likely to be booted and can afford to be out of work, it might be better to take the initiative. I know for my own mental well-being it was better for me to have quit.

Just a few rambling thoughts - you'll need to think of all your circumstances.