Resigning in the middle of big project, before probation ends

[latias 1]

Hello there,

 

Unfortunately I got caught up in a really toxic working environment and I want to leave if I get an offer before my probation ends next week. The company I’m currently working for has a 3 months probation and 2 weeks notice with no reason to be given for resignation.

 

The thing is, I am in the middle of a critical project and was wondering if there are any legal repurcussions if I do resign and give notice? I could offer them 1 month instead of 2 weeks as a sign of good will to finish up as much as I can while finding a temp or replacement.

 

I am pretty optimistic that I’ll get an offer and the next company is also trying to rush their decision so I could come in with them - just wondeeing legally if the company could hold me from leaving?

[MadAxeMurderer 6,214]

The whole purpose of probation is that they can get rid of you, and you can get rid of them with little notice inside the probation period.

 

They would have no hesitation in firing you if it made sense.

 

You should have little hesitation in dumping them if it makes sense. Of course it doesn't look great on your resume. Another reason to leave now so you don't have to put it on your CV.

 

Finally the company would prefer that if you're going to leave you leave ASAP before they invest any more in you.

[warsteiner70 280]

As above, if the work environment is really that bad then leave while you are able to without any repercussions and don't worry about giving the employer extra notice.

 

I had a similar experience almost 20 years ago with a company in the UK where there was a 1 month probation period. At the end of the month I said it wasn't working out and I left. There weren't any problems and because it was such a short period I didn't have to put the job on my CV and try and explain to future employers why I was only with the company for 1 month.

[toBnruG 1,152]

11 hours ago, latias said:

The thing is, I am in the middle of a critical project and was wondering if there are any legal repurcussions if I do resign and give notice?

Per se, no. It happens all the time and some people don't have the same scruples or concerns as you. If there was a legal requirement to stick-it-out when working on critical projects then companies would just define all their projects as critical and make sure that all their employees are always assigned to critical projects so that nobody can leave.

Having said that - you are responsible to read through any document which you have signed to figure out if there are any contractual obligations which we don't / can't know about.

[optimista 5,839]

Indispensable after 10 weeks on the job ? I don t think so. Go ahead and resign. 

 

IANAL.

[black1 1,696]

I read an article recently that said in the UK there was an increasing trend of people just not even showing up anymore, without warning or notice. I wish I had done that in my last job with the UK civil service before moving to Germany 20 years ago.

[Guest]

16 hours ago, latias said:

I am in the middle of a critical project

 

If a critical project is jeapordised by an employee on probation leaving, that is a failure of management. Not your problem. You do what is best for you, and let the managers figure out how to deal with the fallout. That's their job.

 

Of course if you do quit, they'll try to guilt you to prevent you from leaving. "Think of your team mates who will have to work harder now etc". If this happens, stay strong, and know that you made the right decision to leave!