I've just resigned but no new job

soon2bejobless

First post here, registered specially because as my username says I am soon to be jobless.

I can't believe I have actually resigned from a job with no job to go to! I've only been in the job for 13 months and only lasted there that long because of a particularly amazing project I put my heart and soul into. The project involves been away from home (and kids) for 5 days per week and will last a minimum of 12 months. Through a series of events over the last few months I have now come to the point where I can't keep going even for the project.

Anyhow I have handed in my resignation and their only worry is the client and how to deal with it in light of this high profile project. So they have ordered me not to talk to anyone particularly the client. So I have a few questions:

1. Can they say I quit for other reasons than why I did?
2. How can I make sure the client hears my reasons? This is very important to me as I want to ensure they know I didn't just quit for no reason or for personal reasons or whatever cock & bull my employer will come up with.
3. Can they prevent me from telling my colleagues and from updating LinkedIn/looking for new jobs?
4. They want me to sign an NDA but I am concerned about what it will contain and wonder if this is something I'll HAVE to do

I feel forced into this situation and am very resentful about it but on the other hand my personal wellbeing is worth more than a project and we can scrape by on what my husband earns for a little while. Any advice welcome.

srsly78

What are they gonna do if you refuse to sign? Fire you?

Mr. Loverman

You could request a written reference and garden leave.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garden_leave

chris85

What concern is it the client why you quit? They are paying for the project, not to hear your story. Work can tell them whatever they wish to keep them sweet, that's business. This is your personal desire to do this, keep it away from the business environment.

Mrs OBumble

soon2bejobless wrote: »

Can they say I quit for other reasons than why I did?

How can I make sure the client hears my reasons? This is very important to me as I want to ensure they know I didn't just quit for no reason or for personal reasons or whatever cock & bull my employer will come up with.

Can they prevent me from telling my colleagues and from updating LinkedIn/looking for new jobs?

They want me to sign an NDA but I am concerned about what it will contain and wonder if this is something I'll HAVE to do

Yes.

Officially you can't. Ireland is a small village, though, and it may be possible for you to communicate some things to the client if you're cunning. That said, you cannot ensure that the client believes what you say, and there may be consequences if you do blab (see below). Also, if it's informal the client may hear, but be unable to do anything meaningful with the information.

You need to start negotiating: if they want to stop you from beign public about job hunting, they need to compensate you.

Ditto re the NDA: what's in the deal for you.



Overall, make sure you know what your principles are, and how much you are willing to pay to preserve them. But also think about how exactly you are going to explain the situation to future possible employers

soon2bejobless

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Yes.

Officially you can't. Ireland is a small village, though, and it may be possible for you to communicate some things to the client if you're cunning. That said, you cannot ensure that the client believes what you say, and there may be consequences if you do blab (see below). Also, if it's informal the client may hear, but be unable to do anything meaningful with the information.

You need to start negotiating: if they want to stop you from beign public about job hunting, they need to compensate you.

Ditto re the NDA: what's in the deal for you.



Overall, make sure you know what your principles are, and how much you are willing to pay to preserve them. But also think about how exactly you are going to explain the situation to future possible employers

I'm not up for any battles or strife but I do want to ensure they don't tell lies or portray me negatively unfairly. I'm not being personal or unrealistic to not want the client or anyone else to be told untruths and have my professional reputation damaged as a result. I know how this company works and am not willing to let them essentially force me to quit AND then lie about why.

Anyway aside from all that petty crap I am concerned about signing an NDA in case it seriously constrains me. I plan to work as a self-employed contractor so need to be able to network widely as well as being able to take any work offered.

As I said before I want as little hassle as possible, this company has already pushed me to the edge & I need a break from the negativity.