Hi everyone, I'm new here and could really do with some urgent employment advice.
I recently resigned from my job to join a direct competitor. Prior to handing in my notice I had a meeting with the company Legal Secretary (4th December) to inform him of my intentions and to ensure that as part of the 30 day notice period in my contract that I still got paid for my final month, because as I was joining a competitor I had a feeling I may be put on gardening leave. He confirmed that yes that would be the case I would be paid for the duration of my notice period, which is 30 days.
The following day feeling reassured I had a meeting with my Line Manager (5th December) and informed him of my intentions and before making it official asked him the same question. Will I receive my final month's notice pay? Yes, of course you will he told me. So, by now I felt sure of the fact and comfortable to proceed.
The following Monday (8th December) I then had a meeting with my Line Manager's Manager and once again the company's Legal Secretary to make my notice finalised. In this meeting they informed me of 2 choices. I could leave immediately and paid until December 12th or I could attend the office everyday until December 31st but have to stay in reception the entire time as they did not want me in the office as I was joining a competitor. You can imagine my shock, because I'd already checked with my Manager and the Legal Secretary prior to this meeting to ensure I would be paid.
So, for the next 18 days I would have to attend the office every day but not be allowed in. Surely that's a violation of my Human Rights? It would have been humiliating. Sitting in a chair doing noting for 8 hours a day. Not even access to the kitchen. They said well you must choose one or the other because we aren't paying you a full month to do nothing (even though they would be but I felt they wanted to humiliate and distress me). But, they would not let me in the office. That was their choice because I was joining a competitor. I would have happily worked my notice. But they would not let me. I also raised it with the Legal Secretary referring him to our meeting on December 4th whereby I had raised this query and he had confirmed I'd receive my full final month's pay. He then denied ever saying this.
I had no representation, no time to think, was in total shock and agreed under duress I feel to leaving immediately with pay until the 12th.
Where do I stand on this? I feel I have been totally deceived. All urgent advice is very much appreciated.
Many thanks.
I recently resigned from my job to join a direct competitor. Prior to handing in my notice I had a meeting with the company Legal Secretary (4th December) to inform him of my intentions and to ensure that as part of the 30 day notice period in my contract that I still got paid for my final month, because as I was joining a competitor I had a feeling I may be put on gardening leave. He confirmed that yes that would be the case I would be paid for the duration of my notice period, which is 30 days.
The following day feeling reassured I had a meeting with my Line Manager (5th December) and informed him of my intentions and before making it official asked him the same question. Will I receive my final month's notice pay? Yes, of course you will he told me. So, by now I felt sure of the fact and comfortable to proceed.
The following Monday (8th December) I then had a meeting with my Line Manager's Manager and once again the company's Legal Secretary to make my notice finalised. In this meeting they informed me of 2 choices. I could leave immediately and paid until December 12th or I could attend the office everyday until December 31st but have to stay in reception the entire time as they did not want me in the office as I was joining a competitor. You can imagine my shock, because I'd already checked with my Manager and the Legal Secretary prior to this meeting to ensure I would be paid.
So, for the next 18 days I would have to attend the office every day but not be allowed in. Surely that's a violation of my Human Rights? It would have been humiliating. Sitting in a chair doing noting for 8 hours a day. Not even access to the kitchen. They said well you must choose one or the other because we aren't paying you a full month to do nothing (even though they would be but I felt they wanted to humiliate and distress me). But, they would not let me in the office. That was their choice because I was joining a competitor. I would have happily worked my notice. But they would not let me. I also raised it with the Legal Secretary referring him to our meeting on December 4th whereby I had raised this query and he had confirmed I'd receive my full final month's pay. He then denied ever saying this.
I had no representation, no time to think, was in total shock and agreed under duress I feel to leaving immediately with pay until the 12th.
Where do I stand on this? I feel I have been totally deceived. All urgent advice is very much appreciated.
Many thanks.
Resignation and Notice Pay
