Thread: Leaving before notice period up.

I'm currently working for an ass of a company for 2 years now.

I've been made the figurehead or scapegoat for a piece of technology/product which is not working out. Despite spending lots of time advising them on how not to do things, they've ignored me from the the start and managed to shift the responsibility onto me. Not only that, they have put me through several "staff reviews" which is basically a beat-down session, have avoided my "official review" since December, have also completely changed my job description (increased responsibility) yet the contract has not been adjusted and no pay rise has been included.

Also, I have been sick a couple of times (spanning approximately 2 weeks each time) and broken my ankle and they've recorded that as holiday and taken it off my holiday allowance, even though I would like it recorded correctly and paid appropriately for it.

All of this is documented. As you can imagine, I've had enough. Other staff are sympathetic and suffer from the same issues. Some people have even been threatened with redundancy for mentioning anything to management.

It is starting to cause my health to deteriorate.

I've had a perfect track record over the last 10 years and excellent references from all companies. I am however worried that I won't get one from here and the result of that would be bad at the moment.

They imposed a condition of employment that my notice period was to be set at 6 months. Due to the nature of the industry I work in, if I have to give 6 months notice, I will not get another job.

Is it reasonable to give them 2 months notice and walk based on the above?

I know that a contract is only enforceable in court but I cannot afford to defend myself if it came to that, yet I cannot afford to stay here any longer.

Please let me know if there is anything else I can do.