Just resigned with immediate effect

R

realmaverick

I have just handed in my notice with immediate effect and just need to vent, or something....

After giving 8 years to a company and being integral in their growth from a startup to a multi-million pound company, I never expected to be told I wont be paid because I missed a project deadline by 24 hours. I put in an 100 hour week trying to meet the deadline and had talked another contractor in to giving up his weekend to help hit the deadline.

The shocking thing is that the deadline was suddenly cut by 2 weeks without my input, hence the crazy last week trying to hit it. I still would have made it, if it hadn't been for another project being dumped on me, right in the middle of the deadline. Then literally with only 48 hours left to hit the deadline, the owner started making unreasonable requests e.g. going through every page of the website making changes to articles he'd written, last minute changes to functionality etc.

The project was a complete website re-deisgn, of a large website. I was not only project manager, but also the designer and just about every other role in between. Everybody, the boss included is extremely happy with the result. On top of the deadline, I was also still expected to fulfil my other roles e.g. marketing, social media manager, community manager. I work ridiculously hard. If I'd slacked, I'd probably have taken this on the chin, knowing I was to blame.

Anyway we missed the deadline by 24 hours, which wasn't bad considering the crap that was being thrown at us. The next morning after missing the deadline, the owner said to me "I just want to tell you where I am with this; I don't feel comfortable paying you from yesterday until every last bug is fixed, once we're certain that it's perfect, you will continue to be paid for your time". I am rarely speechless, but I was definitely left speechless. I don't know how long it would have been, maybe only 24 hours but that wasn't the point. But then again, had somebody discovered a bug a week later, the way they've been lately, they'd likely have refused to pay me for that entire week.

I knew at that moment, the only right thing to do was resign. I sent my resignation and outlined the reasons why I was resigning and with immediate effect. I am now the third person in a couple of weeks to resign due to being badly treated.

Since sending my letter of resignation, I have received two emails. The first from the owner telling me how amazing I am and how sad he is that I have left, he said that the door is always open if I ever change my mind. Then another today, again telling me how valuable I am and asking if I'd still be around in some form, as it didn't seem right for me to just disappear. Needless to say, I am not going back.

One of my colleagues, after 5 years as head of customer services was literally bullied out of her role because they'd found somebody on oDesk for $4 an hour to replace her! It was horrific to watch and see how badly they treated her.

I have not been unemployed since I was 16, I'm a little anxious as to what comes next but things always work out in the end. I'm excited to see what life has in store for me next. I'm going to take a few days to clear my mind and then start a new chapter in my career.
 

Lloyd N8N

Free Member
Jan 15, 2011
208
33
Surrey
"After giving 8 years to a company and being integral in their growth from a startup to a multi-million pound company"

….

There you go, you said it yourself. Start your own business.

That's terrible, how they treated you… but could in the long run prove very profitable for you if you set up on your own and are a success.

Good luck
 
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mit74

Free Member
Jun 4, 2010
2,463
447
I'd see this as a great time to start your own business. If you're as dedicated to your own business as you were to theirs you'll go along way. As mentioned also it's illegal to withhold wages unless there's specifically something in your contract about payment and deadlines.
 
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George Smiley

Free Member
Dec 7, 2011
104
10
You know what?
this might have a silver lining here

Call HMRC, register immediately as a sole trader, so the business name would be your name trading as xxxx set up your own website advertising your services, I'm sure withing 8 years you've made excellent contacts.

The other important thing is your mortgage/rents should be intact at least for the next 5 months
re check your expenditure and let go of un-necessary expenses

Its not going to be easy but be prepared to be your own boss. drawback? you will work 247 but happy

you know your value so move on.

will come back later for the legalities.
 
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monaghan

Free Member
Nov 5, 2013
100
23
Stevenage
I got selected for redundancy several years ago, I'd been off sick a long time and so much had changed since going back to the office. We took the decision not to fight it and go out alone. We've not missed a mortgage payment or missed a meal since leaving.

I'd definitely take a long serious look at whether you can work for yourself, you may find this is the prod you need to work on your own. Do the sums but also take a good look at the lifestyle though, it's not for everyone.
 
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iksol

Free Member
Aug 26, 2010
159
37
North West
realmaverick, if you're an employee, and not a contractor, the company is not allowed to deduct any pay from your salary unless you have authorised it. Maybe your contract of employment permits this, but if it doesn't, I would demand it.

You should seriously consider going to an employment tribunal, as this is almost certainly grounds for constructive dismissal.

It sounds like the owner is a real nasty piece of work.
 
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SnappyJen

Free Member
Mar 20, 2013
96
19
I do think you should never resign in anger, no matter how appallingly you feel you have been treated. It sounds like a complex situation, with other aggravating factors on both sides.

If I was making a guess, I would say your boss had been prompted by someone else to use that line about the non-payment because his behaviour afterwards does not reflect the disrespect that such a comment illustrates.

I would go and have a meeting with him anyway, just to clear the air and explain why you are upset. If he offers you your job back, ask him for a massive pay rise.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.
 
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Start your own consulting company and in the mean time reply to the owner that you would be willing to consult for them and work at home on any projects they like. That way you have a portfolio for your new company.
 
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bsewell

Free Member
Nov 21, 2013
52
6
I do think you should never resign in anger, no matter how appallingly you feel you have been treated. It sounds like a complex situation, with other aggravating factors on both sides.

If I was making a guess, I would say your boss had been prompted by someone else to use that line about the non-payment because his behaviour afterwards does not reflect the disrespect that such a comment illustrates.

I would go and have a meeting with him anyway, just to clear the air and explain why you are upset. If he offers you your job back, ask him for a massive pay rise.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

I'm not sure this would be a permanent solution. The boss may well just be looking to finish off the outstanding projects and then fire the OP again.

If you did accept a counter offer, make sure it suits you and allows you time to build a fallback plan.
 
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promdressers

Free Member
Aug 14, 2013
197
44
66
Commiseration.. I have worked for a company where I just had to leave as i started to hate going to work., so I get where you are coming from.

However, it is, as said, illegal not to pay wages - and, contrary to a previous correspondent, I am fairly certain that an employer cannot inset a clause to that effect.

Also, has your employer not had HIS B2B contract checked by a lawyer - I am surprised that a client can legitimately use such bullying tactics, although big companies do wield a lot of power over small ones.

good luck.
 
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Vectis

Free Member
Jun 10, 2012
782
203
Isle of Wight
Are you an employee or a contractor? You say you've resigned but you also talk about 'another contractor'.

If you're an employee you may have shot yourself in the foot somewhat if you've 'resigned with immediate effect' (which I take to mean walked out without giving notice etc). I'm not denying you've been treated badly, but maybe you shouldn't have done anything rashly? Perhaps what was said to you was said in the heat of the moment? That doesn't make it right but walking out and putting yourself in the wrong too was perhaps a bit hasty (if you are indeed an employee).

If you're a contractor, I guess you are entitled to walk away - unless you have an agreement saying different.

Either way, you're obviously disillusioned with the company so it may prove a positive for you in the long term. Hope it works out.
 
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