Tdlr; boss gaslighting, passive aggressiveness, late wage payment
So basically, a year ago I freshly graduated and was looking for a job to fill in my now empty schedule. In a short matter of time I was hired, though the pay was lower than I agreed because prior to this I already had 5+ years of experience. Though decided to go through with it seeing this as only temporarily before I go onto something better.
I'm well aware that I'm still new to the 'real world' and can be rather naive. Given that I like to make people happy and be kind of a pushover (still working on this aspect of myself). My employer was very nice and my time working in the company was good and all, hence my decision to leave was never out of unhappiness.
Until another company reached back out to me, offering me better pay which was something I was looking for. I was already working four days a week in my current job, one of the day was NOT marked in my contract (as it was added after I signed it) hence I thought I'd ask my boss to give me just that one day back so I can work elsewhere. I checked my papers and read over my contract, making sure I followed the procedures such as giving a notice ahead of time. After that, I confronted my boss about my decision, and boy, they were NOT having it.
As much as I tried to keep the situation civil and professional, the entire conversation I felt as if words were being put in my mouth. Mentioning how I should feel guilty for leaving and the clients would feel upset, how I didn't care about the 'damage' being left, and when I told them I DO care (it's just that I have bills to pay!), they countered by saying caring is “action”. I knew what that meant, as in an indirect way of saying I shouldn't bother and just stay because it's still 'my fault'.
That was such a RED FLAG to me. I managed to get my one day back but through the rest of the year, I was already considering terminating the contract altogether. It didn't help when my 'super nice and gentle employer' suddenly became unapproachable and tossing annoyed glances when I tried to do my duty as a good employee. I started to have gaps in my schedule as they no longer let me know changes in it ahead of time (I don't get paid for those gaps btw) and just overall, less care to my end of things. It was just a complete 180 for me and I could tell they were harboring angry emotions at my direction. The hints were obvious.
So I resigned completely. It was also the same month I was leaving for vacation. My boss told me I could pick up my cheque after I came back from vacation. Though my flight was two weeks after the day of my leave but my naive self accepted the terms, fully believing they'd hold their word for it. We agreed I'd just text them asap when I return and I'd drop by to pick up my payment.
Left on read twice in a span of two weeks. And I'm getting my payment next month.
I confronted them again about how I disagreed with this. The entire conversation did not go well as they were talking over me and blaming me for the mess 'I' made because now they had to find 3 employees to take my place last minute. Even when I tried to get a better understanding of the situation, I'm either cut off or blamed again, which is obvious that they don't care about the righteousness of the situation but having things their way. (Which is funny because they accused my of taking things my way).
I just want to know whether I made the right decision to deal with a matter like this correctly. I know how resignations work as it should be given notice ahead of time. I know that late wages are unacceptable, should be given within 6 days after resignation. Heck my new workplace accidentally forgot to pay me but were 100% transparent with everything! In the end I'm quite frustrated and angry of why things turned out this way and overthinking whether I did do something wrong. Please help!