How do I make my notice period more bearable?

Question

I have got a new job and have handed my notice in today which has made me very popular...not! Any ideas on how to make the time more bearable?

Answer 1

i know the feeling, i handed mine in last week. they even got me to write the job ad for the paper! jus steal as much as you can, annoy as many ppl as you can, and leave with your head held high!

Answer 2

I can certainly appreciate the feelings of those who have replied so far - and must say that if we lived in a world where we could get away with things like that without worrying about recriminations and bad references, - would say do it!
However it's not an ideal and world and so you have to think your way around the situation:
Can you afford to lose money you would have earned over the notice period, or some of it if you are due time in lieau in any form?
If you can, or could find a way of managing anyway, then I would suggest that you write a second notice to your employer (Head of Personnel at Head Office would be preferable) stating something like: 'that since handing in your notice, you have noticed and experienced a disheartening and unhappy atmosphere in your place of work towards you - so much so that you now feel unable to complete your work to your normal satisfactory level because of it. Therefore you have no alternative but to inform them you will not be returning for the remainder of the notice period'.
What you will be doing here is 1. freeing yourself from such a nasty environment - exactly what you don't need just before you start your new job. 2. Ensuring they cannot add a detrimental note to your records. 3. Putting them on notice that if you felt strong enough, you could actually take an action for unfair dismissal (aka redundancy and constructive dismissal) because of being forced out of your job. The law takes a very dim view of employers who behave in this manner. (They also can't get away with it by claiming it wasn't them, but their other employees - there is such a thing as employers being responsible for their employees actions : 'vicarious liability'.

Hope this helps - or at least, if you decide to try and weather it out, makes you feel better knowing you could..

Answer 3

People have said it already, you're on the way out and people prob feel like you're abandoning them at a hard time. The truth is, there is no-one out there that is looking after your interests, if there were, they'd be happy for you! So head high, try and have a laugh and enjoy on a daily basis, revel in the fact that you've got something new and exciting to look forward to and put the bad vibes up to people's selfishness. I kind of felt the same when I told my last company but it turned out in the end that people thought I was happy enough to continue there and were just going to miss me. So maybe you're just a bit worried and paranoid and are interpreting the signals incorrectly? In any case, leave a good impression whatever you do and make sure your reference letter is brilliant. Good luck with your new job

Answer 4

What kind of job do you have? I quit last week on the spot because when I initally tried to give my 2 weeks the people got crappy with me, like they are with you, so I just said 'Fine, I won't come in anymore. 2 weeks is not good enough, neither is 2 minutes' and left.

I won't put up with that crap, but then again it was just a 2-bit job in retail. If you have a desk job or white collar I guess you will probably have to wait out your 2 weeks, but I would just continue to do your work and be nice to everyone. If they want to get iffy about it you can always call a supervisor higher up...

Answer 5

I would never call in sick. That is just lame, and you don't want to burn potential bridges. I smiled a lot, told them how happy I was, that my life was turning around, this was so great for my family, etc. They have to know you made the move because it was good for you. And no matter what, they could have never given you this wonderful opportunity. And really they couldnt have. So, be cheery and talk to everyone about it. Be cordial, but dont attach yourself to anyone because then you have to keep talking to them afterwards. Oh, and be diligent and do your work as much as possible. Make yourself someone they are sorry to lose....

Answer 6

Be professional and proactive. Offer to outline ways for your replacement to be the best they can be. Don't talk about the new opportunity and bring everyone donuts (or some other happy little goody) as a gesture that you aren't "walking away" from them personally. Be supportive of those trying to find your replacement and let your co-workers know where they can reach you (personal email) if they have some questions they can't find answers to... good luck in your next position!

Answer 7

have high sholders, do what you are supposed to do, work wise that is. anyone who is giving you funny vibes, come out right and ask them, are you ok!? do you have a problem with me!? and they obviously have,but say it like you are oblivious to it. they are just jelous as you are moving on to something bigger and better so dont watch what they have to say. all the bad vibes should make you feel better, its because they jelous.

If it gets too unbareable, tellyour boss straight, look, i dont like the way the WHOLE office is agianst me on my decision, i am taking paid holidayleave. if you aint got none of that, then tellhim, "look,i know my rights, if i get any more of this discrimination it will be you who has to pay for it. do you understand what i am saying".

dont be nice if they aint nice to you, what the hell you got to lose, you got a new job afterall, andit sounds like you dont need a reference. fu*k it,you only live once. show people, you are not what they think you are. A PUSHOVER. or do you want to be known as a pushover, your choice. but i bet your not, SO FU*KIN SHOW THE *****ERS, NA I MEAN!! hope so xx**)

gudluck in your new job.

Answer 8

Couple of suggestions

1 If you've any holidays left, take them
2 Say you'll get the whole lot of them done for discrimination
3 Go to the doctor and get a sick note for anxiety caused by unnecessary stress

Good Luck with your new job

Answer 9

Just go about your job as usual, after all, nothing has changed, except that you are pulling out soon possibly for a better place. I wouldn't advise you to do anything funny as you might eventually need to make reference to the present organisation again in future. Be friendly, be courteos, and always remember; it's just a few days to go. Be yourself and be cheerful.

Cheers

Answer 10

Spend your time starting blatently untrue rumours and tell people that now you are leaving you can tell them that such and such thinks they are a cow etc.

Also snog the ugliest person there and tell them they were fantastic in bed in a loud voice, that will make others sleep with an ugly person just to find out if they were that good

Answer 11

Just think that your getting out. Theres not much else you can do apart from getting a sick note from your GP for the rest of the period. Good luck and congrats on the new job!!!xx.