Quit job, boss is now being horrible

noclue12

Hi all
So I handed in my notice two days ago, I had to give 6 weeks notice as per my contract but ever since my boss has been unbearable. It’s a small company with only one other staff member and he is treating me terribly.
Ignoring me, blaming things on me that aren’t my fault, creating situations where I’ll mess up on purpose or to make me look incompetent. Talking to my co-worker about me, saying horrible things. Being really short and nasty when he does have to talk to me.
I can’t really go into to much detail but I’m already stressed and feel sick about going back on Monday. Not to mind staying for another 5 weeks.

What happens if I breach my contract and leave early?
I don’t need references or anything as I’ve already secured another job.

Please any help would be much appreciated

SCOOP 64

I wouldn't give a sh... how he treated me as long as i had a new job lined up, if you don't react he might calm down in a couple of weeks, i would just try to ride it out, but if it gets too unbearable tell him you staying under theses conditions and working your notice is just not possible.

Auguste Comte

Sick from the stress you said?

brightspark

If you leave he can potentially sue for breach of contract, have you any significant assets? if not then it won't be viable for him to sue.

If you are stressed I advise that you go to your GP, your health is more important than any job, never mind one you are leaving.

Personally, given his attitude I would clock in and out on the minute while doing as little as possible.

If you do go back to work, document everything, and you may be the one able to sue him.

_Brian

Nothing will happen as long as you don’t need a reference from this idiot.

6 weeks for someone who isn’t a senior manager is ridiculous anyway. Two weeks and leave.

Miaireland

Tell him that you consider his behaviour bullying and that if it continues that you will be taking legal advice. Scare the crap out of him.

facehugger99

Miaireland wrote: »

Tell him that you consider his behaviour bullying and that if it continues that you will be taking legal advice. Scare the crap out of him.

I would email.

Cc HR too.

doolox

Serve out your notice if only to do the right thing by your former colleagues but make sure the bosszilla is aware that you are doing your former colleagues a favour. Emphasise this at every turn. On the glorious final day be smiley and graceful to everyone EXCEPT your odious and toxic boss, but do not be too hard on it. Then just WALK away.........

Johnny K

brightspark wrote:

If you leave he can potentially sue for breach of contract, have you any significant assets? if not then it won't be viable for him to sue.

Lol because you always here employers suing for breach of employment contract! Don't think this is even possible.

doolox

Most bosses are horrible.

Simple_Simone

facehugger99 wrote: »

I would email.

Cc HR too.

Given that the OP has stated that "It’s a small company with only one other staff member ........ " how many people do you reckon work in HR?

brightspark

Johnny K wrote: »

Lol because you always here employers suing for breach of employment contract! Don't think this is even possible.

It's possible, the employer would need two things though,

1, proof that he made a loss based on the person leaving that he couldn't avoid and more unlikely is

2, the employee having sufficient assets to collect. However wrong someone is, if they haven't assets it's not worthwhile suing them.

gordongekko

You could always go to a doctor and get signed off on stress leave.

NickNickleby

I think this is bullying. But you are holding the trump card! I mean, think about it....what can he actually do? You have another job lined up, and you say you don't need a reference. Take his money every week, and smile.

He's an idiot. Be civil. I'd be using phrases like "oh, but this is the way it's always been done, and you never had a problem before!" and leave it at that, don't make a question out of it. No questions, only statements that don't invite reply.

If he gets really shifty, tell him you'll be going to the WRC. But make sure you have a list of incidents as evidence. What was said, by whom and when for each occasion.

Don't walk out, you're only depriving yourself. And its only giving him ammunition.

Stay strong and resolute, and try not to look deflated, bullies thrive on that. There's only five weeks to go!!!

Good luck.

salmocab

He may be being a dick to get you to leave early saving himself a months wages. If this suits you maybe have a word about it saying your willing to walk away. If it doesn’t tell him you don’t appreciate his nonsense and won’t be getting involved in it. Then just go in do your bit and go home.

Elemonator

I would threaten legal action. Your contract of employment is still valid until your notice period is up. From what I remember when studying employment law (I dropped out of that module), if his bullying is proven and it could be reasonably said that it forces you to not serve your notice period, then he cannot sue you for the breach of contract.

Wouln't act on it unless you got professional legal advice. Any other posters feel free to correct me.

bfa1509

It just goes to show how people differ. I would get so much enjoyment out of this situation; knowing that no matter how bad it gets, I'd be gone in 5 weeks. I would get acquainted with our good friend Passive Aggression or even one of my favorites - Active Neglection. You'll be skipping off into the sunset in no time.

I feel sorry for people in this situation who can't leave their job.

KevinCavan

Get a sick Cert for the week and let him fcuk himself

KevinCavan

gordongekko wrote: »

You could always go to a doctor and get signed off on stress leave.

Just saw your comment now. I think the poster should do this too

Muckka

It's a hard position to be in op.
That 6 week's notice isn't worth the ink on paper.

Legally nobody owns you, I've dealt with people like your boss and wiped the floor with them....

Too many employees are putting up with **** these days, I'm old school and probably not very sensitive to dealing with so called jocks and cucks in suit's.

I've studied employment legislation and am able to tie these **** in knots...

I was a bit like yourself year's ago, but that **** hardened me.
My brother's a barrister so I suppose we're all smart cunning bastard's in my family.

Just ride it out, play the game and leave with dignity...

doolox

I made a point of going around to all workers, at least 10 on my final hour and shaking hands with each and every one of them except the boss who decided to dump me out after 6 months in a job.

I just said nothing walking out the door of a very unsatisfactory employment.

Its the best thing to do when faced with a very substandard situation.

GreeBo

Get s small notebook and keep it on you.
Everytime something happens openly take it out and write something in it.
Make it obvious that is a diary of events.

I'd he has any sense he will quit it.

Enjoy dealing with this child OP, you are untouchable and array have a new job. These days any reference just gives your start and end date anyway so you have nothing to fear.

Muckka

GreeBo wrote: »

Get s small notebook and keep it on you.
Everytime something happens openly take it out and write something in it.
Make it obvious that is a diary of events.

I'd he has any sense he will quit it.

Enjoy dealing with this child OP, you are untouchable and array have a new job. These days any reference just gives your start and end date anyway so you have nothing to fear.

You probably said it better than myself, that's probably better advice than mine....

I get a bit of craic winding up these new age managers.

I'd never be hostile dealing with a bad situation if I had my fact's wrong..

jimmycrackcorm

GreeBo wrote:

Get s small notebook and keep it on you. Everytime something happens openly take it out and write something in it. Make it obvious that is a diary of events.

This exactly. Op, you can have the upper hand. Once you start recording events then you can sinply go out sick due to stress.

Or get out you phone and ask that he repeats what he says to you so you can record it.

Being out your phone everytimr he comes over to you in anticipation.
He'll get the message then.

Jim2007

doolox wrote: »

Most bosses are horrible.

Ah yes just like most employees are lazy good for nothings....

Jim2007

noclue12 wrote: »

Hi all
So I handed in my notice two days ago, I had to give 6 weeks notice as per my contract but ever since my boss has been unbearable. It’s a small company with only one other staff member and he is treating me terribly.
Ignoring me, blaming things on me that aren’t my fault, creating situations where I’ll mess up on purpose or to make me look incompetent. Talking to my co-worker about me, saying horrible things. Being really short and nasty when he does have to talk to me.
I can’t really go into to much detail but I’m already stressed and feel sick about going back on Monday. Not to mind staying for another 5 weeks.

What happens if I breach my contract and leave early?
I don’t need references or anything as I’ve already secured another job.

Please any help would be much appreciated

As you say it is a very small company and they tend to be family affairs. Other posters should note this and stop posting nonsense about HR, new age management, legal action and other BS that is not going to happen!

In small companies it is not unusual for colleagues and management to behave in this manner, they take it as a personal rejection of them rather as just someone moving on. That is not an excuse for their behavior, just an explanation.

Depending on your past relationship with this person, perhaps you can have a chat with them and explain it is nothing personal and that you’d like to end on good terms. If not then just walk as there is not much they can do in practical terms about it. It is not a nice thing to have to do, but your health is more important.

OMM 0000

Be honest with yourself. Are you completely blameless here? I've been a manager a long time and I've consistently noticed bad employees always lie to themselves about their bad performance. I've also seen a lot of employees who feel they're victims, but really they're just looking at everything in the most negative way possible.

I'm not saying you're lying. I'm saying have a look at your performance and see if there are things you could have done better. Then try not to repeat those in the next job.

If you're going mad, just leave.

_Brian

To sue op mfor leaving after two weeks rather than six the employer would need to prove there was a good reason to have six week notice period for op rather than the recommended two. Plus show material evidence that op leaving after two weeks caused a problem for the company.

maninasia

facehugger99 wrote: »

I would email.

Cc HR too.

CC HR in a 3 man company lol

Sarah1991

I was in a similar situation to you Op. I handed in my notice for a job that I hate a month ago and straight away my boss was horrible to me, he was blaming me for things that he had done wrong and talking about how I was letting down the team to everyone. I honestly didn't know how I was going to cope being there for four more weeks but I just went in each day and did whatever work I had knowing that there was an end in sight and honestly the notice period went very quick in the end. I just focused on the fact that I was earning money every day I was in there and ignored any of the jibes from my boss which I think actually annoyed him more.

Best of luck with things.

noclue12

Thanks everyone for the great advice and not so great(the boss is HR)

Think I’ll see how next week goes, if it’s still stressing me out I’ll have to do something. But if he’s calmed down abit I’ll stay. He doesn’t want me to finish up early.

Regarding breach of contract I’ve no personal assets but the company would loose money if I left early and they didn’t have a replacement yet, so that’s a bit of a issue I suppose.

He’s definitely taking it personally and I suppose is annoyed as I increased the income of the business, and he’ll be loosing that.

Will have to wait and see how it goes Monday. I’m not actually at a desk so it would be really weird if I was sitting taking notes, not part of the job description.

OldMrBrennan83

noclue12 wrote: »

Thanks everyone for the great advice and not so great(the boss is HR)

Think I’ll see how next week goes, if it’s still stressing me out I’ll have to do something. But if he’s calmed down abit I’ll stay. He doesn’t want me to finish up early.

Regarding breach of contract I’ve no personal assets but the company would loose money if I left early and they didn’t have a replacement yet, so that’s a bit of a issue I suppose.

He’s definitely taking it personally and I suppose is annoyed as I increased the income of the business, and he’ll be loosing that.

Will have to wait and see how it goes Monday. I’m not actually at a desk so it would be really weird if I was sitting taking notes, not part of the job description.

If you document all this and are out in stress then they won't be able to go after you for a single thing.

You sound like you're all set to just take it though so if you're not prepared to fight them on it at all then you'll just have to get on with things.

boredatwork82

Hey OP,

Life is too short to wait and see how it goes. If you don't like it walk. It's not your problem. Bosses problem for been a dick.

Go in Monday morning ask to have a word. Tell him you understand he is annoyed that your leaving but you are prepared to be fair and work your notice diligently and ensure business continuity.
Tell him if he is going to be a dick you are just going to walk.

He will probably be apologetic and explain that they are stressed because your leaving. its not nice to leave a job on a bad note. And the grass isn't always greener on the other side so you may never know when you need a reference or a job.


Use this situation as an opportunity to gain the confidence to deal with this type of thing head on. A skill that seems to be lacking in modern Ireland. We aren't great at dealing with situations head on

And like others said, if your not happy ,walk. I have been in situations similar before, twice I walked. Other times I confronted. I felt great after each decision.

beauf

Be professional and don't burn bridges I would say. You never know when you meet these people again.

OldMrBrennan83

beauf wrote: »

Be professional and don't burn bridges I would say. You never know when you meet these people again.

Without bending over though. Reinforcing this managers behaviour out of fear ends up making it worse for us all.

jopax

KevinCavan wrote: »

Get a sick Cert for the week and let him fcuk himself[/quote

Definitely agree with this, why stress about a d...head that your not going to deal with anymore. Your covered with a cert &:gone out the door. It's the easiest way out of a toxic situation, it's not going to do you any good to stay there to the end, I wouldn't give them the satisfaction of bullying you anymore.

jopax

OMM 0000 wrote: »

Be honest with yourself. Are you completely blameless here? I've been a manager a long time and I've consistently noticed bad employees always lie to themselves about their bad performance. I've also seen a lot of employees who feel they're victims, but really they're just looking at everything in the most negative way possible.

I'm not saying you're lying. I'm saying have a look at your performance and see if there are things you could have done better. Then try not to repeat those in the next job.

If you're going mad, just leave.

That is fair enough with your view on things, the issue that is unfair & unprofessional is that he is talking to his co worker about him & saying nasty things.
If there are things the op can improve on why not call him in & have a proper chat with him on what the issues are. There is no excuse for being a bully to anyone, & respect is a 2 way street.

eagle eye

My advice would be to get a small notebook and take notes of all your interactions with your boss. Use a new page for each day if you don't fill the page up.
Make sure he sees this and if he asks you what it's about tell him you spoke to a solicitor and he advised you to do this.
If that doesn't stop him then go to a solicitor and he'll get you sorted.

SCOOP 64

OMM 0000 wrote: »

Be honest with yourself. Are you completely blameless here? I've been a manager a long time and I've consistently noticed bad employees always lie to themselves about their bad performance. I've also seen a lot of employees who feel they're victims, but really they're just looking at everything in the most negative way possible.

I'm not saying you're lying. I'm saying have a look at your performance and see if there are things you could have done better. Then try not to repeat those in the next job.

If you're going mad, just leave.

The op has handed in notice???

dartboardio

There are dickhead bosses too tho. I worked for a small family business and thinking back.. The boss was so ignorant and horrible. Telling me women were only good for serving in the front of the shop.. I had to work 14 days in a row because I was usually part time... Etc

If you are not happy just leave.

judeboy101

If you have job lined up why not turn up everyday and do the bare minimum, literally treat every day as work to rule.

OMM 0000

jopax wrote: »

That is fair enough with your view on things, the issue that is unfair & unprofessional is that he is talking to his co worker about him & saying nasty things.
If there are things the op can improve on why not call him in & have a proper chat with him on what the issues are. There is no excuse for being a bully to anyone, & respect is a 2 way street.

SCOOP 64 wrote: »

The op has handed in notice???

People usually don't act angry and unreasonable for no reason. The managers I've seen who are pissed off with a team member is almost always because the team member is being difficult / unreasonable / an asshole.

I'll give a real example:

I worked with a girl who used to come into work high, would fall asleep at her desk for an hour or two, and would walk around the office high as a kite, making a fool of herself and us.

Her work was terrible, she was unreasonable, she was dishonest. The company were incredibly patient with her. They gave her over 6 months to sort herself out. She just got worse.

She eventually quit and blamed it all on the company. I know her twitter so I saw her rants about it - how her boss is cruel and abusive, how she's the victim, etc.

It's exactly like the stuff I read here on boards - it's always the manager who's evil. People just can't seem to self-reflect.

Again I'm not saying the OP is in the wrong here, but based on my experience I would say it's unlikely she is innocent either.

Also, and we need to remember this, some people are just super sensitive. You say anything to them and they consider it an attack.

So I'd like to hear the manager's side of things before casting judgement. Surely this is the reasonable position to take.

Regardless, she should just leave. It's incredibly unlikely he will sue her.

Mongfinder General

OMM 0000 wrote: »

People usually don't act angry and unreasonable for no reason. The managers I've seen who are pissed off with a team member is almost always because the team member is being difficult / unreasonable / an asshole.

I'll give a real example:

I worked with a girl who used to come into work high, would fall asleep at her desk for an hour or two, and would walk around the office high as a kite, making a fool of herself and us.

Her work was terrible, she was unreasonable, she was dishonest. The company were incredibly patient with her. They gave her over 6 months to sort herself out. She just got worse.

She eventually quit and blamed it all on the company. I know her twitter so I saw her rants about it - how her boss is cruel and abusive, how she's the victim, etc.

It's exactly like the stuff I read here on boards - it's always the manager who's evil. People just can't seem to self-reflect.

Again I'm not saying the OP is in the wrong here, but based on my experience I would say it's unlikely she is innocent either.

Also, and we need to remember this, some people are just super sensitive. You say anything to them and they consider it an attack.

So I'd like to hear the manager's side of things before casting judgement. Surely this is the reasonable position to take.

Regardless, she should just leave. It's incredibly unlikely he will sue her.

If the op is that bad, why is she being made work 6 weeks notice?

OldMrBrennan83

Boss is fine.
Hand in notice.
Boss is arsehole.

Fairly plain to see which person is the issue.

OMM 0000

Mongfinder General wrote: »

If the op is that bad, why is she being made work 6 weeks notice?

I'm not saying the OP is terrible.

Her contract states she needs to give 6 weeks notice. Perhaps it is difficult to replace her.

My contract requires 13 weeks notice. Yet my boss is lovely.

Having a long notice period doesn't mean your employer is evil.

OMM 0000

OldMrBrennan83 wrote: »

Boss is fine.
Hand in notice.
Boss is arsehole.

Fairly plain to see which person is the issue.

Are you sure that's the entire story?

OldMrBrennan83

OMM 0000 wrote: »

Are you sure that's the entire story?

How can you be sure anything on this whole site is ever the whole story? But when people doubt everything that's posted and start completely fabricating another angle then there's very little point to anyone ever posting a thing.

OMM 0000

OldMrBrennan83 wrote: »

How can you be sure anything on this whole site is ever the whole story? But when people doubt everything that's posted and start completely fabricating another angle then there's very little point to anyone ever posting a thing.

That's why I took the reasonable position of assuming there is another side to the story, and that we should not cast judgement until we have the entire picture. Surely this is a lot more mature than just assuming her boss is evil.

It is highly unlikely her boss is angry at her just because she gave her notice. I've never seen a manager angry at a staff member for giving notice. But I have seen managers angry at staff who continuously break the rules, are rude, etc.

I also gave advice: she should just quit if she's going mad. It's very unlikely he will sue her.

OldMrBrennan83

OMM 0000 wrote: »

That's why I took the reasonable position of assuming there is another side to the story, and that we should not cast judgement until we have the entire picture. Surely this is a lot more mature than just assuming her boss is evil.

It is highly unlikely her boss is angry at her just because she gave her notice. I've never seen a manager angry at a staff member for giving notice. But I have seen managers angry at staff who continuously break the rules, are rude, etc.

I also gave advice: she should just quit if she's going mad. It's very unlikely he will sue her.

But the boss isn't going to post here so it's all just guess work and making things up then. Granted there may be another side but as always we can only go on the account given. This site has become far too rife with accusations of liar to posters looking for advice.


Two jobs ago my boss ignored me from the time I handed in my notice like a 12 year old. Even met him in a supermarket a few months later and he was about a step away from sticking his fingers in his ears and going la la la when I said hello to him.

OMM 0000

OldMrBrennan83 wrote: »

But the boss isn't going to post here so it's all just guess work and making things up then. Granted there may be another side but as always we can only go on the account given. This site has become far too rife with accusations of liar to posters looking for advice.


Two jobs ago my boss ignored me from the time I handed in my notice like a 12 year old. Even met him in a supermarket a few months later and he was about a step away from sticking his fingers in his ears and going la la la when I said hello to him.

I believe it makes sense to consider all angles - even those not spelt out to you - when trying to understand things.

I assume when you see the news, you don't just believe what they say, right? You think about what they didn't say, what an opposing opinion could be, etc.

Or perhaps you do just believe whatever you're told. I know that's common too.

Anyway, I have no interest in arguing with you. Go ahead and have the last word.

OldMrBrennan83

OMM 0000 wrote: »

I believe it makes sense to consider all angles - even those not spelt out to you - when trying to understand things.

I assume when you see the news, you don't just believe what they say, right? You think about what they didn't say, what an opposing opinion could be, etc.

Or perhaps you do just believe whatever you're told. I know that's common too.

Anyway, I have no interest in arguing with you. Go ahead and have the last word.

I really don't have any wish for it to be an argument or have the last word (though I lost track of all the thinly veiled insults in the above so maybe one of us is doing a bit of point scoring). All I was saying is that it's grand to consider two accounts when you actually have two accounts. We don't though and by that measure someone could say absolutely anything (OP is sniffing coke off their desk, boss is a paedophile, colleague is a neo nazi, etc) just on the basis that everything must be considered.

We have a person looking for advice, they've given an account, so the best thing to do is base advice on that unless the boss in question rocks up with a retort and their account of things.