Starting new job while on holiday

[Ellandbee]

I have recently been offered a new job with a different company, and handed in my notice at my current works. My notice runs out on a Tuesday, so I booked the Monday and Tuesday off of work, so I could start my new job on the Monday when I was supposed to be on holiday.

My current employer has told me that even though I am on holiday from my old employer I am legally not allowed to start my new job, as I will be employed by 2 companies on the same day.

Is this true? I don't understand how this can be the case, as there is nothing saying it's illegal for me to have an evening or weekend job at the same time as my full time job, also is there anything they can do to stop me?

[buildersmate]

It may be a specific term in your employment contract - is it written down anyway in a company policy document or handbook?
Otherwise there is no statutory law about this.
No, it unlikely they will do anything about it - even if there is a contract term you are able to find. The remedy would be to sue for breach of contract - but for what useful purpose?
Ask them why they are so concerned about this - sour grapes?

[Ellandbee]

I'm sure it's just sour grapes. The office manager is the one who has said this, and she has bullied me since I started - hence the reason why I am leaving.

I've been told she always has to have someone to pick on, and that she's always been like it and when I leave she will just pick on someone else.

I am in the process of making a formal complaint to HR. There have been complaints in the past that haven't been taken seriously, but I'm hoping that they'll now put everything together and do something about it. Luckily I kept detailed notes and even kept sarcastic emails that she sent to my home email addresswhen I was signed off sick following an RTA. It sounds like HR might actually do something at last, though I'm not holding my breath!

[Lil O'lady]

Just go and let the old firm poke it. What's the worst they can do? And what will it cost them to do it?

[factor-fiction]

If you are leaving is there any real benefit in raising a grievance? Potential new employers in the future may be wary of someone who has raised grievances in the past- word can get around with employers

[Ellandbee]

I'm not raising it as a formal grevance, but have passed a letter on to HR for their files. Lots of people have complained in the past, but nothing has ever been done. The people who dared to complain in the past were basically driven out of the company by this woman.

The way she behaves is demeaning and totally unnecessary. If I know when I leave she will go back to picking on the girl she picked on before I started. That poor girl ended up off sick with stress because she had got to the stage where she wanted to harm herself so she didn't have to go to work. I just keep wondering how I would feel if I found out that someone had done something stupid, and I had done nothing to try to prevent it.

A new lady has taken over in HR, and she has said that she will look into it if I send in a letter. I've detailed everything that's happened to me, and have also given her the names of ex-employees who have also complained so she can pull their files, and have told her to look at the results of the staff survey, which also showed comments from numerous members of staff detailing her poor management style.

I have been assured by HR that my name will not be revealed, and they will look into what I've said. They may well now put everything together and choose to do something themselves using all the complaints they've received over the years. They have said they are not even going to start to investigate it until I have started my new job, and I have been assured it will remain confidential.

[factor-fiction]

I can see why you would want to take some action and hopefully prevent problems for others in the future. Good luck.