Walked out of my job

Raichų

I informed my immediate manager and the general manager I would not be returning.

I realise now it was probably not the best idea but the long and short of the matter is our hours were cut in April (I’m paid hourly) so I’m down nearly 50% wages every week and I just can’t afford to continue. I secured alternative employment that starts today so I couldn’t work a notice period.

Is it likely the former employer attempts to sue me for breach of contract? I just couldn’t stomach the place another day. Not that worried but would be nice to hear others experiences if anyone has done similar and what the outcome was!

Juran

Unless you were VP or CEO level or highly critical that productions lines would stop without you, I cant see any employer pursuing legal action. It would cost them thousands in legal fees.

The one thing they can do is give you a poor reference in the future, if they so wish.

EduKate

Depends on your job, but most places won't go down the legal route because it's not worth the cost or time.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058356636/walked-out-of-my-job

Wouldnt worry, I did the same as the VP was a bully.. went into work at 8am, and walked out abt 9am..

Was there 2 years, they actually paid me for my months notice :)

I cannot abide bullying, intimidation, abusive behaviour, this guy was on a real power trip at the time… f**k em, no job is worth it!

HildaOgdenx

As pp said, it's doubtful that they would pursue you.
It would cost too much , I imagine, in both money and time.

Best of luck in the new job.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122282226#Comment_122282226

They cant really due to defamation.. they just wont give you a glowing reference..

Raichų

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122282258#Comment_122282258

won’t be looking for one off them anyway, I am not concerned. I will happily admit to any future employer I walked out. I don’t care. 🤣

I’m a chef and (I like to think) a good one which is hard to find these days so I’m not worried about future job prospects I am mainly worried of them making a big deal out of it. I was a chef de partie and they may hire an agency chef temporarily to cover the loss. Good luck finding one to work part time though. 🤣

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122282298#Comment_122282298

Best of luck, chef is NOT an easy job!

Unless they are complete ar**holes they wont pursue, is not in their interest.. Would give them a bad name, cost them money, time etc…

LambshankRedemption

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122282258#Comment_122282258

The days of glowing references are gone any way.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122282313#Comment_122282313

True, just facts your worked from this date to this date and your position was bla bla

Iseedeadpixels

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122282313#Comment_122282313

Statements of employments are what I get and keep a copy in my email.

Del2005

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122282298#Comment_122282298

Let's force a disgruntled worker, who can make or break our business, back to work out their notice. They would be crazy to force a worker back never mind a chef.

The only possible repercussions would be burning bridges with your ex employer and Ireland being a small country. But you are in hospitality with an in demand qualification so it's not an issue.

Furze99

What goes around, can come around. So if you ever move up the food chain and own or partner your own eatery business, keep the experience in mind :)

It wouldn't be great for any business if a staff member just walked off the job, leaving you in a lurch.

It's always a good maxim in business and in life to treat others as you'd like to be treated yourself. Even if they are arseholes.

28064212

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122282258#Comment_122282258

This isn't true, it's absolutely possible to give a bad reference, so long as they stick to things they can prove in court. if the former employer wants to tell a potential future employer that the employee showed up to work drunk, they damn well better have the blood alcohol test results to prove it

Oscar_Madison

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122282298#Comment_122282298

fair play - onwards and hopefully upwards- restaurant work is tough - sounds like you’ve great faith in yourself and your abilities - try and take some learning from it if you can - ie how might you have left under better circumstances or how might you have left sooner when the hours reduced - maybe nothing could have been done.

But one thing I would say is- if an employer cuts their staff hours by 50% and expects them to stay and shut up about it, they’re fcking fools and shouldn’t be in the restaurant game.
They essentially changed your contract in April - essentially all bets are off - you’ve quit- nothing they can do and even if they did, they wouldn’t succeed

Jim2007

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122282258#Comment_122282258

Not every reference is official and not every reference comes from the employer. People who know people will give them a call to see what the story is etc… and you will never hear about such goings on.

Jim2007

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122282298#Comment_122282298

Well unless you have been employed by a bit of a nut case (and they do exist) the chances of anyone make an issue of this is very low.

Musicrules

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122283891#Comment_122283891

🤣🤣🤣

LeBash

If they cut your hours, any reasonable manager would accept you give notice of a day or 2. They won't chase you but it's very unprofessional. Some industries are way smaller than you think.

LambshankRedemption

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122283677#Comment_122283677

Thats all you will get nowadays.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122283926#Comment_122283926

highly unlikely, as they could lead themselves into trouble..

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122284031#Comment_122284031

The OP said he isn’t worried and would even share the info if asked, so mute highly unlikely point anyway.. and the individual could lead himself in trouble as well!

as the sensible ppl have stated references aren’t given or asked for these days anyway, thing of the past..

kippy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122282258#Comment_122282258

Is it defamation if the facts are provided and easily proven.

"OP worked from us from X date to Y date. They left their position on Z date without working their notice period,

Regards

Former Employer"

Hibernicis

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058356636/walked-out-of-my-job

For how long had you been employed by them ?

Was the change in hours/terms/status communicated in writing ?

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122284660#Comment_122284660

:) nobody asks for it these days..move on..

28064212

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122284660#Comment_122284660

Easily proven in a court of law. A manager saying "that's what happened" doesn't cut it. In a defamation case, if you're using truth as a defence, the onus of proof is on the defendant - the plaintiff doesn't have to prove the statement is false, the defendant has to prove it's true

kippy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122284722#Comment_122284722

In reality how likely would the op(or indeed anyone be) to challenge a reference that contained factual information, easily proven, if required, in a court of law?

Surely one would be daft to go looking for a reference of that organisation in the first instance.

I do often hear that your employer won't give you a 'good' or 'bad' reference, just a lukewarm one stating the dates you've worked. Will never give a negative one because of the potential for a defamation case but when the facts are easily proven and you were daft enough to ask for a reference in the first instance I don't see how it's on dodgy legal ground to be factual.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122284773#Comment_122284773

you do realise even if he gets a reference he is under no obligation to use it!

kippy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122284817#Comment_122284817

I do.

28064212

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122284773#Comment_122284773

How is it easily proven? In court:

• Manager says "OP walked out without notice, just like I said on my reference"
• OP says "That's not what happened"
• Judge says "Manager, you can't use the defence of truth unless you can prove your statement is true"

Note that the OP does not have to prove it's false. They don't have to prove they worked their notice, or that the manager said they could walk out without notice, or anything else. The manager has to provide the proof.

Now maybe the manager can do that. Maybe they have timesheets and emails and texts and contracts proving all that. But they better make sure they have their house in order before they give the negative reference.

What's more, truth is not an absolute defence in a defamation case. Hypothetical scenario: OP didn't walk off the job. Instead, after leaving their shift at the end of the day, they get in a car accident and end up in a coma for a month. After waking up, they inform their job about what happened, and let them know they won't be back as they will be in recovery. Six months later, they start applying for new jobs. Prospective employer contacts old job for a reference, and manager says "OP worked from us from X date to Y date. They left their position on Z date without working their notice period". That's a true statement, but the OP would absolutely have a case that they have been defamed (not saying they'd definitely win, but they'd certainly have a case)

Also, I think you're drastically under-estimating the willingness of some people to bring a case when there's a potential payout in the offing.