Thanks to everyone for the advice on here, very helpful - appreciated. I think the recession is the umbrella that covers most people for this at the moment - my references will stretch up to near end last year and if push came to shove I could just pretend this job never happened and that I lived off savings checking the papers daily as the responsible work orientated person I am etc. I'd not quit without something to go to unless at least five of my six numbers came in tonight - qualified as I may be, I can't be presumptuous and landlords + bills will never appreciate I had a false start in a job but didn't get another one. Best case I think is if I'm super fast - then I can just forget the week (that they're not likely to pay me for ) and jump ship with a written email cc HR and the directors explaining that bullying was the reason for my dramatic exit , and should the company choose to do more than just write off a weeks pay for me then I can counter claim on that basis, damage to home life/stress what have you. I hasten to add I wouldn't DREAM of using this to go on the sick or not go straight into a reasonable job, but I feel this needs winding up before I DO start to suffer from any or all of those adverse symptoms Cheers and Regards, Tabby

Hi All, any advice much appreciated. I'm a White collar professional, I've always done well at any job I've done, and seen out redundancy last year due to the recession. In doing so I've collected very recent up to date references that are very strong. I used these references to get my latest position (temp to perm circa October, offered the job beginning December) - However it rapidly started to dawn on me that the boss was a highly difficult individual whom nothing was ever enough for and that I am doing a job two people once did. The cruncher came for me when I was taken aside and told that I wasn't worth what I was being paid and asked to do even more, which was a shocking (and unjustified) smack in the face when even past employers who have disliked me have had nothing but praise for me. I think it is your typical bully to make him jump ever higher type situation, but I'm pretty highly qualified and have decided I will not put up with this; I will get a new job and get out of this abusive environment, which is now spilling over and affecting my health and home life. My question is this: the company welcome letter says four weeks notice, but I don't actually *need* any good word from this nasty new boss as my old references are strong enough. Can I in theory get a new job and jump ship in say 1 weeks notice , and justify doing so by "unfair boss "/"unfair pressure at work" etc, and if I do, what's the law on being paid FOR that week? As I've said I'm not bothered if the boss badmouths me until kingdom come, my past references justify why it's all hot air/rubbish, and why what I'm doing is correct - my only query is - can you get out of something like this BEFORE four weeks - especially as this is a major selling point to a possible position I already have lined up? Many thanks and regards:)