Working my notice/off sick.. New job?

MustangBoss557

Hi all,
I've worked for a big company (massive corporation) for 11 years. The past 2 years have been awful, I've suffered depression and become really stressed. I handed in my notice (4 weeks) on Monday and went to the doctors today and been signed off sick (4 weeks also) with work related stress.

I've been offered a new job, and have been told I can start whenever I like. I was going to wait until I'd served my notice, however...

A work mate at my current job has let slip that head office have emailed my manager and said not to remind me to hand in my work gear, as they'll dock it from my wages (uniform-£10 an item, keys-£150 per lock etc) But obviously I'm going to hand them back!

They've also said that a training course I attended, that involved me gaining a licence, will be docked from my wages (I did this course 2 years ago, I'm pretty sure it was only if I left within 1 year that I'd be charged)

I'm not sure what to do now; if I wait to start my new job, I'll only get half my wages and I won't be able to pay my rent and bills. But I'm worried that if I start my new job now, my old company will sue me (I've not got access to my works contract at the moment, but I think it says something about not being allowed to work any other jobs whilst employed with them)

My new boss has offered to pay me cash in hand til my notice period is up, but I really don't want to get in trouble! Please help

vegasvisitor

Probably not legal for you to claim sick pay from one employer and be paid by another during that time. Different if you had one jobs and your illness only affected one (and the working hours were different) but I don't think that would apply to you.

Probably not what you want to hear, and I do think the situation is a bit off with your pay being docked etc. Hopefully they're all talk, perhaps get some free advice on what to do (ACAS etc).

TadleyBaggie

If you're too sick to work, then you should not be starting a new job.

MustangBoss557

TadleyBaggie wrote: »

If you're too sick to work, then you should not be starting a new job.

I've been signed off with work related stress-stress which has been caused by a horrific work environment, that's why I'm leaving! The new job is a completely different role and environment