Dismissed from work - what to say to prospective employers?

RachelUK

A bit of background info:
I was recently dismissed from my job. The only reason given was that they had concerns about my performance and 'dedication to the company'. They were extremely vague and did not mention any specifics. At no point in time during my employment was I given any warnings about my performance. It was all a huge shock and very upsetting because I always made sure that my work was delivered on time and to a good standard.

They have presented me with a Compromise Agreement (which I am due to meet with a solicitor next week to discuss) which states that they will provide an unbiased reference and a settlement of around 3 month's wages. The HR manager also mentioned that they would do what they could to help me find new employment so I dont think an unfavourable reference will be an issue.

I am now extremely worried about what on earth to say to prospective employers when they ask why I left the company. I don't want to lie but I really dont want to say it was down to performance when my previous company have never provided any justification or proof that this was the case.

Any advice is extremely gratefully received!

Uncertain

RachelUK wrote: »

A bit of background info:
I was recently dismissed from my job. The only reason given was that they had concerns about my performance and 'dedication to the company'. They were extremely vague and did not mention any specifics. At no point in time during my employment was I given any warnings about my performance. It was all a huge shock and very upsetting because I always made sure that my work was delivered on time and to a good standard.

They have presented me with a Compromise Agreement (which I am due to meet with a solicitor next week to discuss) which states that they will provide an unbiased reference and a settlement of around 3 month's wages. The HR manager also mentioned that they would do what they could to help me find new employment so I dont think an unfavourable reference will be an issue.

I am now extremely worried about what on earth to say to prospective employers when they ask why I left the company. I don't want to lie but I really dont want to say it was down to performance when my previous company have never provided any justification or proof that this was the case.

Any advice is extremely gratefully received!

I would make every effort to get an agreed reference wording sorted out and incorporated into the CA. I would also make sure there are words to the effect that any verbal reference will conform to the agreed wording. What you mention is too vague. Unbiased is a matter of opinion!

Given that it will cost the firm nothing to agree to this it shouldn't be too hard to get.

Should you feel you are turned down for a job, after they contact the old firm for a reference, you can obtain a copy from the firm you applied to using the DPA. If this deviates in any way from the agreed wording you would have a claim against your old firm.

How much have they agreed towards your solicitor's bill? Research as much as possible about CAs before you see the solicitor so that most of their time can be spent advising you if the settlement is as good as you are likely to get or negotiating for more.

It may be worth a calculated gamble to pay for a little more of the solicitor's time to haggle for you - but take care.

Nobody expects their first offer to be accepted!

RachelUK

Uncertain wrote: »

I would make every effort to get an agreed reference wording sorted out and incorporated into the CA. I would also make sure there are words to the effect that any verbal reference will conform to the agreed wording. What you mention is too vague. Unbiased is a matter of opinion!

Given that it will cost the firm nothing to agree to this it shouldn't be too hard to get.

Should you feel you are turned down for a job, after they contact the old firm for a reference, you can obtain a copy from the firm you applied to using the DPA. If this deviates in any way from the agreed wording you would have a claim against your old firm.

How much have they agreed towards your solicitor's bill? Research as much as possible about CAs before you see the solicitor so that most of their time can be spent advising you if the settlement is as good as you are likely to get or negotiating for more.

It may be worth a calculated gamble to pay for a little more of the solicitor's time to haggle for you - but take care.

Nobody expects their first offer to be accepted!

Hello, many thanks for your fast response.
The wording for the reference is covered in the CA. it provides my starting and leaving dates and some thing similar to 'it is not the company's policy to provide substantive references for employees or ex-employees. This should not be seen as a reflection on [emplyee's name] or as any comment on their suitability for position.
I have been reading up on CAs before my meeting and I am hoping to negotiate on a few areas.
I am just really worried as to what to say in an interview if they ask the dreaded question as to why I left my old job.

purplepardalis

Make sure your solicitor negotiates and gets you more money. Then spend a couple of months doing something, a few holidays - decorating the house - whatever you want. Then, tell new employers that you decided to take a sabbatical to do XYZ and you took the opportunity to leave your job for a new challenge as your job was no longer doing that. No lies have been told and you get to re charge your batteries after this horrible experience

Uncertain

RachelUK wrote: »

The wording for the reference is covered in the CA. it provides my starting and leaving dates and some thing similar to 'it is not the company's policy to provide substantive references for employees or ex-employees. This should not be seen as a reflection on [emplyee's name] or as any comment on their suitability for position.

That's fine.

Do make sure there is a line requiring any verbal reference to conform to this. Obviously harder to police but still worthwhile.

Purplepardalis makes an excellent suggestion.

busterian

Rachel - out of interest - how long were you employed by this company?

RachelUK

Thanks purplepardalis that definitely is an option I will consider. The only concern would be what the job market might be like closer to the end of the year. Fingers crossed that my solicitor can negotiate a decent settlement. :-)

RachelUK

busterian wrote: »

Rachel - out of interest - how long were you employed by this company?

Hello, i was employed by them for almost 4 years.

Vader123

purplepardalis wrote: »

Make sure your solicitor negotiates and gets you more money. Then spend a couple of months doing something, a few holidays - decorating the house - whatever you want. Then, tell new employers that you decided to take a sabbatical to do XYZ and you took the opportunity to leave your job for a new challenge as your job was no longer doing that. No lies have been told and you get to re charge your batteries after this horrible experience

This post got 3 recs!

Please don't say you decided to do a "sabbatical". It sounds awful and suggests that you can be out of work for any old reason. It sounds like your 16 and want to do a gap year!

I have my own company and employ a fair few people, the word "sabbatical" as a reason for a gap in employment would sound alarm bells.

This is just my opinion.

I personally would just apply for jobs and should the question of "Why did you leave your last job?" come up(which rarely does), just say you were looking for a new challenge.

Good luck. Being sacked and getting a CA with a "not negative" reference is worth its weight in gold.

Vader

busterian

Let me get this straight.

You had been there 4 years and not once had anyone raised any concerns about your peformance? Did you not have appraisals or reviews?

Were you called to a meeting and then told of your dismissal or did they follow the correct procedure?

Uncertain

Vader123 wrote: »

I have my own company and employ a fair few people, the word "sabbatical" as a reason for a gap in employment would sound alarm bells.

This is just my opinion.

Others may have a different opinion!

Seriously though, I suspect it depends on the field of work. What may be considered normal in one field, admired even, may be frowned upon in another.

I don't know who or what has prompted this CA offer but it may well be the firm know they are on shaky ground. Equally they may have a policy of buying their way out of potential hassle. In some fields it is more common than you may think.

I used to work with a couple of small to medium sized "professional" outfits where if your face didn't fit you were out the door. All legal niceties were ignored and the firm's solicitors were just instructed to "sort it". A few month's salary or more and a couple of grand in legal fees were regarded as a normal operating cost!