My notice accused Charles of being a useless manager with loyalty to those that shout loudest and Tracey of being a bully. I handed it to Charles, Andy and the big boss himself. I also left a copy for Bob when he came back from holiday.
The owners son Martin called me in to see him the next day.
"You've accused Tracey of bullying. I am refusing your notice as this is a grievance and you should follow the grievance procedure."
I was gutted. I couldn't put a grievance in against Tracey because she had known never to pick on me. She'd have lost and knew it. It wasn't my grievance, it was Lou's. I agreed to think it over.
The following day I went back to speak to Martin.
"The problem here is Tracey and Charles. If they aren't going anywhere then I have to." I explained
"I can't sack them for no reason" Martin replied.
"I know, which is why I'm going. I can't bare to work for that woman for a minute longer in truth but I've given you a months notice so that's what you'll get"
"Do you have another job?" Martin asked "What if we could just move you to a different department?"
"If you have another position you could offer me I'll take it. I don't have anything else and I do enjoy working here and I love the people, well most of them"
I went off to calm down whilst Martin and Andy looked at what else was available. Nothing as it happens.
"I'm sorry that it's come to this and that we have nothing else for you but I am happy to let you go with immediate effect, pay your notice and any other monies owed so you can look for something else."
This seemed a reasonable offer and I took it. Tracey and Charles were called in to speak to Martin whilst I went to say my goodbyes to some wonderful people I had worked with for 5 years. I would love to have been a fly on the wall in that office. Martin was more than aware of how hard I worked for him and his business and was not best pleased that I was going but he understood.
I packed my desk and made my way back to my car feeling on top of the world!