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freakyogre
Posts: 1,465 Forumite
This will probably end up quite long, so apologies for that first of all, i'm still in a bit of shock.
Following on from this post
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1764357
The girl in charge of the office called me in for a ‘chat’ last week. She asked me if everything was ok and I brought up the fact that there wasn't enough work to keep me busy. She said they went through busy and quiet periods, which I said I understood, but in the interview I was given the impression that it was always busy.
I said that she was ALWAYS busy and seemed stressed at times and wondered why she didn't give us more to do to help. She said there were certain things she could delegate, but not all. Again, fair enough, but to me it seemed she held work to make herself look busy, when we weren't.
I also mentioned that fact that I felt like they thought I was stupid as avoid me when asking questions and basically spoke to me like an idiot. I also brought up the fact that I felt they were trying to catch me out as the boss got quite angry about something the previous day, but it was obvious that he had gone in and changed something. To me that's either trying to get me into trouble, or making me look incompetent.
She said they didn't think that at all and the way that some people speak to you is just how they are (fair enough) and you have to accept it. I basically said that I would tolerate it, but didn't appreciate being spoken to like a piece of dirt when i'd done nothing wrong. I said that I would hold my hands up if I made a mistake as never claimed to be perfect, but didn't like being shouted at when i'd done nothing wrong.
She responded to this saying that the only issue they had with me is that I needed to be more proactive. She said that I used to ask for work to do, but had stopped. I explained that I was often asking 5/6 in a morning if there was anything I could do and was more often than not told no. I said I stopped because it was getting silly (and after the instance when another girl laughed when I asked for, I think, the 5th time).
She said that she wanted me to start taking some time out the office (a lunch break) even if it was just half an hour each day.
She also commented on once instance when she thought I was abrupt with someone (the person in question speaks to everyone like rubbish) and personally I didn't think I was abrupt. They asked someone a question about something I deal with but completely blanked me. When they said they didn't know, they then asked me and I answered them (they already knew the answer).
Anyway, apart from that she said she was more than happy with my work, I got on with work and did what I was asked (when I asked!) and actually ended the 'chat' by giving me a hug as i'd got a bit upset.
I left there feeling like a bit of an idiot as I felt i'd come across as a bit pathetic and like I couldn't take a bit of banter.
The week went on and it was still quiet, but things seemed to approve slightly. I still got the odd comment from her about things and felt like she was just being picky. By Friday I decided to start taking a lunch break as thought an hour 'out' might help break the day up a bit. When I asked, I got a stare and when I said 'lunch?' she just said yeah.
Roll on this week. Things (I thought) had improved, I had work to do most of the time, still took a lunch break each day and even up til yesterday got on better with the other girl and we actually had a bit of a laugh.
Wednesday morning when I got in I could tell the other girl was either unwell, or not happy so just pottered on with my bits and kept to myself. A bit later on she went into the boss' office and came out crying. He followed closely after and just said she was under a lot of pressure and we needed to help out where possible. I nodded but was thinking 'she needs to tell us when she has too much work on'.
Later in the afternoon when I came back from lunch I noticed the lady from personnel in with the boss having a chat and I suspected something wasn't right as there had been a lot of quiet 'meetings', closed doors and whispered chats (although not so discreet as overheard quite a few).
Yesterday seemed fine, I once again got on with bits, but knew something wasn't right and when chatting to friends and family later, said as much to them. When I left work yesterday she said she wouldn't be in the office in the morning as had a 'meeting'.
When I got in this morning, she was there, but disappeared shortly after. This happened a few times and for around 20 minutes at a time. My immediate thought was 'she's doing interviews'.
I went out the office for something at one point and when I returned, I overheard one of the guys on the phone (attempting to whisper) saying 'no, she's at her desk now'. Don't know who he was talking to, but he was looking at me when he said it.
Later this morning when she returned I passed on a message to her, but had a digit wrong on something (I either misheard, wrote it down wrong, or was given the wrong number. Either way it wasn't something really important). When she'd got the right number she just turned to me and said 'helps if you give me the right number' in a very nasty tone. I looked at her and said 'I thought that was the number I was given', she said 'no, it was such and such' and I said 'sorry, I must have misheard'. She snapped back with 'CHILL'.
Immediately I knew something was happening as even when she usually speaks to me like an idiot, she isn't that aggressive.
Around lunchtime she disappeared again and then returned. 10 minutes later my phone went and it was my boss. He asked me to go to x and meet him. I said ok and off I went.
I walked in to find my boss and the lady from personnel in there. I sat down and they said they wanted to discuss my performance (I can't remember exact words, but this is kind of how it went).
They said that they didn't think I was being proactive enough and that I didn't seem very enthusiastic about the job. That was pretty much it, then they asked if I had anything to say.
I started by saying that I didn't think there was enough work for the job and was given the impression in the interview that it was a busier role. I said that I had been told there were busier periods, but I am not one to be able to sit and not do anything. I said that I had stopped asking if there was work to do as was asking numerous times a day (and gave the earlier example). I said that although it was partly my responsibility to ask for work, surely it was also hers to tell me when something needs doing.
I said that the jobs I had been shown are done without a problem. When done I ask for more work, but when 99% of the time the answer is 'no' what am I meant to do? I said that if i'm not shown how to do something/what needs doing, how am I then supposed to know it needs doing when it's quiet?
I also said that the other girl always seemed to be busy, but didn't seem keen to pass the work on. I used the example of her getting upset earlier in the week and said that she was getting stressed with the workload, but not asking for help.
I said in my previous job (I know, not relevant) I often came in at 7am and didn't leave til 9pm as there was always work to do. I loved it as I thrive on more work.
I also said that I felt I was spoken to like an idiot and gave the example earlier today when she snapped at me.
I said that I honestly thought this was down to a personality clash and there wasn't a lot I could do. I come to work to do a job (and do it well) i'm not one to s**tstir or cause problems, I just like to come in and get on with my job.
That was that. They said they need to adjourn for half an hour or so and to come back at x pm.
All throughout this, the lady in personnel was taking the notes, but I am pretty sure she didn't write everything that was said down as there was only 1/3 of a page of writing. I used to take notes in my old job, so to me everything should have been written down, however irrelevant.
As I walked out, I saw the other girl walking back in that direction, so assume they called her.
I went outside until the time I was asked to go back as they said not to go back to the office. I sat outside and ended up speaking to one of the other girls there (she works in the same office, but does a different job). I explained briefly and she said that the girl before me was often bored by 2pm as well. I said thank you as would mention it, but not bring her name up.
I went back to the room and sat down. They straight away said that they had made the decision that (this is where it's a bit hazy) either it wasn't working out/the position didn't work/they wanted shot of me. They asked if I had anything to say and I decided to try and argue my case.
I said to him 'so you haven't taken any of my earlier comments on board?' He said that they had but didn't elaborate.
I said that to me, they had found a problem (me not asking for work), I had found a solution (give me more work), problem solved.
They said they had given me the chance to improve since my 'chat' last week and I hadn't. I said that I did all work required and given to me. They then made a comment that it had been mentioned in said 'chat' that they weren't happy with my work. I said 'no it wasn't. All that was said about me needing to be more proactive and she said she was happy with my work etc.'
I said again that I could only do what I knew needed doing (I would quite happily clean the office like I did in the rare quiet time in my previous job, but they have cleaners). He just said that there were always jobs he needed doing, so I just said 'well give them to me to do then'.
They said that they had made their decision, but then asked if I had anything else to say.
I said there was an atmosphere in the office, he had to have noticed, but he said no. I said to ask anyone else in the office (although didn't know if they'd be honest). I said there were days when 3-4 hours passed and she didn't say a word to me. To me this isn't normal!! She'd sometimes email me with things when she could quite easily tell me (we [STRIKE]sit[/STRIKE] sat about 2 feet away).
He said that I wasn't enthusiastic enough and wasn't passionate about the job. I said that it was difficult to be enthusiastic when there wasn't the work to do. He said that I came in in the mornings with my head down and went straight to work on the computer, which was good as I was working (but made it sound negative). I said that I was downloading the orders (first job of every day!!) I said that I was quite quiet at work anyway (until i'm comfortable with people) and that I was there to get the job done, not really to make friends.
Again, they said they'd made their decision.
I mentioned that I heard the previous girl doing my job had also mentioned she was quiet/bored in the afternoons, but he just said that he wasn't aware of that. I said that perhaps she didn't mention it to anyone.
He then commented (sounded like a slip up to me) that I hadn't 'gelled'. I said to him that he'd just hit the nail on the head. I feel that they didn't all get on with me (for whatever reason) and really believe they had already made their decision before I even entered the room the first time.
They had no interest in what I had to say, despite me trying very hard to explain that I worked best with LOTS of work (throw it at me, I can cope).
He said they would give me a weeks notice, but would pay me for that week rather than me working. I asked what would happen if I wanted to come to work and they said they'd prefer it if I didn't. He then said I wasn't expected to work this afternoon (didn't actually confirm this) and if I wanted, he'd go and get my things. I said that he was making it sound like I couldn't face them and no, i'd go and get them.
I asked her what this now meant and she said that I had been dismissed due to poor performance.
I must admit to being gobsmacked by the whole thing, I obviously knew something was going on, but never expected an outcome like that. I would rather they had been honest and dismissed me for 'not getting on with people' but to say it's poor performance is just not true.
I left there and said thank you (really wasn't sure what to say) and as I walked out bumped into one of the guys there. I said that I suppose I better say goodbye and he looked puzzled. I said they had just got rid of me.
I went back up to the office and went straight into his office and just asked if he wanted me to go now. He said yes, so I packed my stuff up and left =/ The other girl completely blanked me. I said bye to the others but no one seemed surprised.
I then went into the canteen to get some bits and said bye to the guys in there (although in the same building, they don't work in the same dept). Even they didn't seem surprised (although said sorry etc) which makes me think that this wasn't really a well kept secret! I thought these things were meant to be confidential?
I have so many thoughts going through my head right now. I keep thinking maybe they were doing interviews today after all. Then I think that they have realised that they don't need anyone for my job and that was an easy way out for them (earlier in the week they asked the part timer to do more hours, now why would they do that if they could have just passed the work on to me?)
My main worry is I am obviously now unemployed. I have applied for a couple of jobs in the last week as did plan to look elsewhere, but until I hear something I will just keep applying for what I find.
Questions!
I have only been in the job for 2 months, so understand (maybe wrong) that they can basically do what they want and get rid of you in the first 3 months (even though I will never agree with their reason for dismissal).
I have been told today (by a couple of people, again, may not be right) that they didn't go about this correctly as 1) they didn't give me notice of the meeting 2) I wasn't given a verbal or written warning beforehand (although think they were trying to say last weeks 'chat' was that...strange to me to end a warning with a hug) and 3) I wasn't asked if I wanted a witness in there with me.
Do I have any sort of comeback on this? I am not out to cause trouble but am frankly fuming about the way they've treated me.
Can I request the notes/minutes from the meeting? (would be interested to see what was said against me). Although like I said, i'm not sure everything was written down and I guess they would just make anything up anyway.
Job wise...
Can I apply for JSA? I was under the impression you couldn't if you left the job, but wasn't sure about being dismissed as i've never been in this situation before.
I am now in a pickle as to what to write for reason for leaving or to put on my CV. I don't plan to lie, but would rather try and explain the situation to any future employers rather than have them go straight to them.
I was thinking if I put them as a reference, but put not to contact and then I can explain from there?
Or I could put my previous 2 references and just mention this in future interviews?
On the application forms I filled in last week I put 'reason for leaving' as 'role not challenging enough' which is the truth, but on future ones, should I put 'dismissed'? It just sounds so 'end of the world to me'.
Also, what would you put on a CV? Again, I can put dismissed, but without explaining it in full, it just sounds so bad.
It is a small relief to not have to worry about going into work each day now to be honest as I didn't enjoy it and really did dread most days going in. I've never felt like that in a job, so it was quite an unpleasant experience.
Sorry for SUCH a long post and thank you for any advice.
Following on from this post
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1764357
The girl in charge of the office called me in for a ‘chat’ last week. She asked me if everything was ok and I brought up the fact that there wasn't enough work to keep me busy. She said they went through busy and quiet periods, which I said I understood, but in the interview I was given the impression that it was always busy.
I said that she was ALWAYS busy and seemed stressed at times and wondered why she didn't give us more to do to help. She said there were certain things she could delegate, but not all. Again, fair enough, but to me it seemed she held work to make herself look busy, when we weren't.
I also mentioned that fact that I felt like they thought I was stupid as avoid me when asking questions and basically spoke to me like an idiot. I also brought up the fact that I felt they were trying to catch me out as the boss got quite angry about something the previous day, but it was obvious that he had gone in and changed something. To me that's either trying to get me into trouble, or making me look incompetent.
She said they didn't think that at all and the way that some people speak to you is just how they are (fair enough) and you have to accept it. I basically said that I would tolerate it, but didn't appreciate being spoken to like a piece of dirt when i'd done nothing wrong. I said that I would hold my hands up if I made a mistake as never claimed to be perfect, but didn't like being shouted at when i'd done nothing wrong.
She responded to this saying that the only issue they had with me is that I needed to be more proactive. She said that I used to ask for work to do, but had stopped. I explained that I was often asking 5/6 in a morning if there was anything I could do and was more often than not told no. I said I stopped because it was getting silly (and after the instance when another girl laughed when I asked for, I think, the 5th time).
She said that she wanted me to start taking some time out the office (a lunch break) even if it was just half an hour each day.
She also commented on once instance when she thought I was abrupt with someone (the person in question speaks to everyone like rubbish) and personally I didn't think I was abrupt. They asked someone a question about something I deal with but completely blanked me. When they said they didn't know, they then asked me and I answered them (they already knew the answer).
Anyway, apart from that she said she was more than happy with my work, I got on with work and did what I was asked (when I asked!) and actually ended the 'chat' by giving me a hug as i'd got a bit upset.
I left there feeling like a bit of an idiot as I felt i'd come across as a bit pathetic and like I couldn't take a bit of banter.
The week went on and it was still quiet, but things seemed to approve slightly. I still got the odd comment from her about things and felt like she was just being picky. By Friday I decided to start taking a lunch break as thought an hour 'out' might help break the day up a bit. When I asked, I got a stare and when I said 'lunch?' she just said yeah.
Roll on this week. Things (I thought) had improved, I had work to do most of the time, still took a lunch break each day and even up til yesterday got on better with the other girl and we actually had a bit of a laugh.
Wednesday morning when I got in I could tell the other girl was either unwell, or not happy so just pottered on with my bits and kept to myself. A bit later on she went into the boss' office and came out crying. He followed closely after and just said she was under a lot of pressure and we needed to help out where possible. I nodded but was thinking 'she needs to tell us when she has too much work on'.
Later in the afternoon when I came back from lunch I noticed the lady from personnel in with the boss having a chat and I suspected something wasn't right as there had been a lot of quiet 'meetings', closed doors and whispered chats (although not so discreet as overheard quite a few).
Yesterday seemed fine, I once again got on with bits, but knew something wasn't right and when chatting to friends and family later, said as much to them. When I left work yesterday she said she wouldn't be in the office in the morning as had a 'meeting'.
When I got in this morning, she was there, but disappeared shortly after. This happened a few times and for around 20 minutes at a time. My immediate thought was 'she's doing interviews'.
I went out the office for something at one point and when I returned, I overheard one of the guys on the phone (attempting to whisper) saying 'no, she's at her desk now'. Don't know who he was talking to, but he was looking at me when he said it.
Later this morning when she returned I passed on a message to her, but had a digit wrong on something (I either misheard, wrote it down wrong, or was given the wrong number. Either way it wasn't something really important). When she'd got the right number she just turned to me and said 'helps if you give me the right number' in a very nasty tone. I looked at her and said 'I thought that was the number I was given', she said 'no, it was such and such' and I said 'sorry, I must have misheard'. She snapped back with 'CHILL'.
Immediately I knew something was happening as even when she usually speaks to me like an idiot, she isn't that aggressive.
Around lunchtime she disappeared again and then returned. 10 minutes later my phone went and it was my boss. He asked me to go to x and meet him. I said ok and off I went.
I walked in to find my boss and the lady from personnel in there. I sat down and they said they wanted to discuss my performance (I can't remember exact words, but this is kind of how it went).
They said that they didn't think I was being proactive enough and that I didn't seem very enthusiastic about the job. That was pretty much it, then they asked if I had anything to say.
I started by saying that I didn't think there was enough work for the job and was given the impression in the interview that it was a busier role. I said that I had been told there were busier periods, but I am not one to be able to sit and not do anything. I said that I had stopped asking if there was work to do as was asking numerous times a day (and gave the earlier example). I said that although it was partly my responsibility to ask for work, surely it was also hers to tell me when something needs doing.
I said that the jobs I had been shown are done without a problem. When done I ask for more work, but when 99% of the time the answer is 'no' what am I meant to do? I said that if i'm not shown how to do something/what needs doing, how am I then supposed to know it needs doing when it's quiet?
I also said that the other girl always seemed to be busy, but didn't seem keen to pass the work on. I used the example of her getting upset earlier in the week and said that she was getting stressed with the workload, but not asking for help.
I said in my previous job (I know, not relevant) I often came in at 7am and didn't leave til 9pm as there was always work to do. I loved it as I thrive on more work.
I also said that I felt I was spoken to like an idiot and gave the example earlier today when she snapped at me.
I said that I honestly thought this was down to a personality clash and there wasn't a lot I could do. I come to work to do a job (and do it well) i'm not one to s**tstir or cause problems, I just like to come in and get on with my job.
That was that. They said they need to adjourn for half an hour or so and to come back at x pm.
All throughout this, the lady in personnel was taking the notes, but I am pretty sure she didn't write everything that was said down as there was only 1/3 of a page of writing. I used to take notes in my old job, so to me everything should have been written down, however irrelevant.
As I walked out, I saw the other girl walking back in that direction, so assume they called her.
I went outside until the time I was asked to go back as they said not to go back to the office. I sat outside and ended up speaking to one of the other girls there (she works in the same office, but does a different job). I explained briefly and she said that the girl before me was often bored by 2pm as well. I said thank you as would mention it, but not bring her name up.
I went back to the room and sat down. They straight away said that they had made the decision that (this is where it's a bit hazy) either it wasn't working out/the position didn't work/they wanted shot of me. They asked if I had anything to say and I decided to try and argue my case.
I said to him 'so you haven't taken any of my earlier comments on board?' He said that they had but didn't elaborate.
I said that to me, they had found a problem (me not asking for work), I had found a solution (give me more work), problem solved.
They said they had given me the chance to improve since my 'chat' last week and I hadn't. I said that I did all work required and given to me. They then made a comment that it had been mentioned in said 'chat' that they weren't happy with my work. I said 'no it wasn't. All that was said about me needing to be more proactive and she said she was happy with my work etc.'
I said again that I could only do what I knew needed doing (I would quite happily clean the office like I did in the rare quiet time in my previous job, but they have cleaners). He just said that there were always jobs he needed doing, so I just said 'well give them to me to do then'.
They said that they had made their decision, but then asked if I had anything else to say.
I said there was an atmosphere in the office, he had to have noticed, but he said no. I said to ask anyone else in the office (although didn't know if they'd be honest). I said there were days when 3-4 hours passed and she didn't say a word to me. To me this isn't normal!! She'd sometimes email me with things when she could quite easily tell me (we [STRIKE]sit[/STRIKE] sat about 2 feet away).
He said that I wasn't enthusiastic enough and wasn't passionate about the job. I said that it was difficult to be enthusiastic when there wasn't the work to do. He said that I came in in the mornings with my head down and went straight to work on the computer, which was good as I was working (but made it sound negative). I said that I was downloading the orders (first job of every day!!) I said that I was quite quiet at work anyway (until i'm comfortable with people) and that I was there to get the job done, not really to make friends.
Again, they said they'd made their decision.
I mentioned that I heard the previous girl doing my job had also mentioned she was quiet/bored in the afternoons, but he just said that he wasn't aware of that. I said that perhaps she didn't mention it to anyone.
He then commented (sounded like a slip up to me) that I hadn't 'gelled'. I said to him that he'd just hit the nail on the head. I feel that they didn't all get on with me (for whatever reason) and really believe they had already made their decision before I even entered the room the first time.
They had no interest in what I had to say, despite me trying very hard to explain that I worked best with LOTS of work (throw it at me, I can cope).
He said they would give me a weeks notice, but would pay me for that week rather than me working. I asked what would happen if I wanted to come to work and they said they'd prefer it if I didn't. He then said I wasn't expected to work this afternoon (didn't actually confirm this) and if I wanted, he'd go and get my things. I said that he was making it sound like I couldn't face them and no, i'd go and get them.
I asked her what this now meant and she said that I had been dismissed due to poor performance.
I must admit to being gobsmacked by the whole thing, I obviously knew something was going on, but never expected an outcome like that. I would rather they had been honest and dismissed me for 'not getting on with people' but to say it's poor performance is just not true.
I left there and said thank you (really wasn't sure what to say) and as I walked out bumped into one of the guys there. I said that I suppose I better say goodbye and he looked puzzled. I said they had just got rid of me.
I went back up to the office and went straight into his office and just asked if he wanted me to go now. He said yes, so I packed my stuff up and left =/ The other girl completely blanked me. I said bye to the others but no one seemed surprised.
I then went into the canteen to get some bits and said bye to the guys in there (although in the same building, they don't work in the same dept). Even they didn't seem surprised (although said sorry etc) which makes me think that this wasn't really a well kept secret! I thought these things were meant to be confidential?
I have so many thoughts going through my head right now. I keep thinking maybe they were doing interviews today after all. Then I think that they have realised that they don't need anyone for my job and that was an easy way out for them (earlier in the week they asked the part timer to do more hours, now why would they do that if they could have just passed the work on to me?)
My main worry is I am obviously now unemployed. I have applied for a couple of jobs in the last week as did plan to look elsewhere, but until I hear something I will just keep applying for what I find.
Questions!
I have only been in the job for 2 months, so understand (maybe wrong) that they can basically do what they want and get rid of you in the first 3 months (even though I will never agree with their reason for dismissal).
I have been told today (by a couple of people, again, may not be right) that they didn't go about this correctly as 1) they didn't give me notice of the meeting 2) I wasn't given a verbal or written warning beforehand (although think they were trying to say last weeks 'chat' was that...strange to me to end a warning with a hug) and 3) I wasn't asked if I wanted a witness in there with me.
Do I have any sort of comeback on this? I am not out to cause trouble but am frankly fuming about the way they've treated me.
Can I request the notes/minutes from the meeting? (would be interested to see what was said against me). Although like I said, i'm not sure everything was written down and I guess they would just make anything up anyway.
Job wise...
Can I apply for JSA? I was under the impression you couldn't if you left the job, but wasn't sure about being dismissed as i've never been in this situation before.
I am now in a pickle as to what to write for reason for leaving or to put on my CV. I don't plan to lie, but would rather try and explain the situation to any future employers rather than have them go straight to them.
I was thinking if I put them as a reference, but put not to contact and then I can explain from there?
Or I could put my previous 2 references and just mention this in future interviews?
On the application forms I filled in last week I put 'reason for leaving' as 'role not challenging enough' which is the truth, but on future ones, should I put 'dismissed'? It just sounds so 'end of the world to me'.
Also, what would you put on a CV? Again, I can put dismissed, but without explaining it in full, it just sounds so bad.
It is a small relief to not have to worry about going into work each day now to be honest as I didn't enjoy it and really did dread most days going in. I've never felt like that in a job, so it was quite an unpleasant experience.
Sorry for SUCH a long post and thank you for any advice.
Grocery challenge - Nov: £52/£100
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Comments
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cant help with the legalities but what an awful place to have had to work in.
It cant be pleasant having to ask for work to do day in day out. If there wasnt enough to do it makes you wonder why they recruited anyone for the job in the first place.
Youre well shot of the place if you ask me. They sound like a load of hypocrytes.
Did you start with the provision in your contract of a probationary period.
'Job wasnt challenging enough' sounds reasonable enough to me.make the most of it, we are only here for the weekend.
and we will never, ever return.0 -
With only two months service you don't have any recourse, I'm afraid.
Just move on. You weren't happy there, they weren't happy with you. It happens. As McKneff says "Job not challenging" is a sufficient explanation on an application and at interview just say that the job was not as described and you mutually decided it wasn't working out during the probation period.
Put it behind you - easier said than done, I know, - but there are places to work that will suit you better.
Good luck finding your next job - hope it's a much more positive experience.0 -
cant help with the legalities but what an awful place to have had to work in.
It cant be pleasant having to ask for work to do day in day out. If there wasnt enough to do it makes you wonder why they recruited anyone for the job in the first place.
Youre well shot of the place if you ask me. They sound like a load of hypocrytes.
Did you start with the provision in your contract of a probationary period.
'Job wasnt challenging enough' sounds reasonable enough to me.
I wondered why the took someone on too. The job could be done in 2-3 hours a day, hence why I think they were just trying to get shot as perhaps realised that.
I am glad to be out of there, I just hate the fact that i've been made to now sound like i'm not a hard worked. I really wanted to ask them to get my reference from my previous job (as I know it's good) and ask them why they think i'd change so much in just 2-4 months.
I can't find my contract at the moment, but will look properly later as need to sort all my job stuff out again
I do have a letter which says about a 3 month probationary period, so I suppose this is how they get out of treating people like crap.
I will use that as the reason, but don't want anyone to think i'm trying to hide anything. Of course i'll explain in full in an interview, but i'm thinking if I put their reason on an application form to start with, it'll go straight in the bin.Grocery challenge - Nov: £52/£100
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When you say explain in full in an interview - don't!! If you told me everything you had said here, I would think you were mad, it's not appropriate for that environment.
"They really didn't have enough work for me to do" is fine as far as explanations go, with maybe "I did draw this to their attention but there wasn't anything else to do. I'm not sure if they thought the work would take more time than it did" really says "Look how efficient I am!"
And that will do nicely.Debt free 4th April 2007.
New house. Bigger mortgage. MFWB after I have my buffer cash in place.0 -
With only two months service you don't have any recourse, I'm afraid.
Just move on. You weren't happy there, they weren't happy with you. It happens. As McKneff says "Job not challenging" is a sufficient explanation on an application and at interview just say that the job was not as described and you mutually decided it wasn't working out during the probation period.
Put it behind you - easier said than done, I know, - but there are places to work that will suit you better.
Good luck finding your next job - hope it's a much more positive experience.
I did think that might be the case.
I'm worried they'll give me a bad reference (I did think of just saying I didn't work there, but I can't lie and really wouldn't want to get into trouble) which will go against me. I can get a good reference from my previous job, but it's my word against theirs on this and i'm not sure an employer will believe me?
Thank you
Grocery challenge - Nov: £52/£100
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Just use the previous employer as the reference.
Don't overplay why you left, do not make any bad comments about the employer.0 -
When you say explain in full in an interview - don't!! If you told me everything you had said here, I would think you were mad, it's not appropriate for that environment.
"They really didn't have enough work for me to do" is fine as far as explanations go, with maybe "I did draw this to their attention but there wasn't anything else to do. I'm not sure if they thought the work would take more time than it did" really says "Look how efficient I am!"
And that will do nicely.
No I wouldn't go into that much detail, I only did in this post as it's easier than explaining each bit individually!
I will say about there not being enough work (that was the main reason) and like I said, I was looking for another job anyway. My concern is I can say that in an interview, they could then get a reference saying 'dismissed - poor performance' and it will look like I have lied.
So how honest should I be? Tell them that there wasn't enough work, but it was turned round to look like I wasn't 'performing'?Grocery challenge - Nov: £52/£100
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getmore4less wrote: »Just use the previous employer as the reference.
Don't overplay why you left, do not make any bad comments about the employer.
I wouldn't make any bad comments, it's really not worth the hassle.
Will they not query why I worked there for 2 months, but won't list them as a reference? Or is that something I could then explain? (not in full detail
)
Sorry to ask so many questions, i've never been in this situation before and my work record has always been really good before now.Grocery challenge - Nov: £52/£100
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What an awful experience for you - I really feel for you.
You sound like a good worker and it reads to me as if others in that office (particularly your boss) were threatened by your intellect and your efficiency - it makes them look bad.
The only law I know of where you get comeback withing 12 months of employment is "Wrongful dismissal" - i.e. breach of contract. This would apply where the appropriate disciplinary action wasn't taken - it sort of merges in with constructive dismissal - which is clearly the case.
On the other hand - is it worth your time and effort for having been there only two months. I think the crux of it is (and you find it in all incestuous offices) is that you didnt spend the obligitory 4.5 hours of your working day talking about shoes and men - cliquey, awful women are very threatened by this.
If I was you I would either say you got the job but it didn't work out as it wasn't as advertised or just not put the job down at all.I'll have some cheese please, bob.0 -
Even though you are relleived to be out of there - I do have to say "you poor thing" as I can understand TOTALLY how you must have felt. Seemes to me these days that cr***y employers can do pretty much what they want to people regardless of the impact it had on that individual's life and prospects. It makes me want to scream - and sounds so similar to an experience of mine that I almost wonder if it's the same employer - who is notorious for it by the way. As an aside - for future interviews itr may be worth asking why the previous post-holder left (not that dodgy companies would to be honest).
Anyway -
As for your CV - a lot depends - I think - on what precedes this job - is it a long strectch of unemployment or is it a job that you left under good circumstances. My inclination would be to leave it off - rather than have to explain what happened after two months into a role. No matter what you say as an explanation, you will feel wrong-footed in the interview and the interviewer may well (wrongly, in my view) think that there's no smoke with fire blah blah. So - in a nutshell, if your CV lends itself to it, leave it off and use your previous job for reference.
It isn't breaking any law to do so and anyway, people can have gaps on their CV for any number of reasons.
As for JSA, you should make the call to claim as soon as possible. They may well say that it has to be after your notice period but that's not true, you are officially unemployed from the first day you aren't working (even in the notice period), it is their choice that you not work and are paid in lieu.
Whether or not you actually get JSA may - sadly - depend on a decision maker; fair enough, you have been dismissed (morally unfairly but of course that doesn't mean diddly in terms of law etc etc), but it is a grey area when it comes to JSA. (It has happened to me though and I did get JSA - but they did contact the ex-employer(s) to find out why .)
I really hate to hear stories like yours and each time I do, I worry that I can never re-enter the workplace because it's everywhere.
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