Is this allowed or legal??

katie_saver

I have been in my job for nearly 3 months, still on probation period. I am a PA and Office Manager. I noticed my boss had sent an email with my job spec to a recruitment agent, this was on Friday, today I saw my exact job adevrtised on a job site. It is a small company and there is no way they would be recruiting another PA. He has not mentioned anything to me, no problems and I thought it was all going really well. Are they allowed to do this?

silkyuk9

of course they can, maybe they are expanding, don't jump to conclusions too soon.

katie_saver

Not really, there are 2 directors and the PA would be to both of them, which is what I am doing. I also do all the HR admin as the HR manager is on maternity leave. Therefore any jobs or recruitment would go through me, this one obviously didn't. I just want to know my legal position on this.

Buzby

Yes to both questions. You have no right of tenure whilst on probation, what happened to the person who had the job before you? It is not uncommon for a train of folk all on short-term arrangements of 3-6 months and replaced regularly. All go can hope to achieve is to do all you are asked, and as best as you can - it ay NOT be your job, so do nt make an issue of it.

If it turns out that it is, then you are better off away from such a firm.

kingfisherblue

As you have been in your job for less than two years, your employers can dismiss you for any reason at all, except discrimination. I'm sorry that this is not what you want to hear.

mountainofdebt

Sorry but havng worn that particular tshirt I can almost guarantee that he is looking for your replacement.

There's two ways you can play this - 1) take the initiative and ask him for a meeting to dscuss your progress thus far 2) keep your head down and wait to see if the axe falls.

However in the meantime, would be looking for a lifeboat.

katie_saver

As I suspected, thanks for all your replies. He has had 3 PAs in 2 years and all 'left' under mysterious circumstances. Back to the job sites then. I just hope that he waits till my probation ends, at least I'd get a full months pay! And yes Buzby, I have lost all the enthusiasm I had for this company, seeing the way they treat people. Not the dream job I thought it was, ho hum.

LittleVoice

katie_saver wrote: »

As I suspected, thanks for all your replies. He has had 3 PAs in 2 years and all 'left' under mysterious circumstances. Back to the job sites then. I just hope that he waits till my probation ends, at least I'd get a full months pay! And yes Buzby, I have lost all the enthusiasm I had for this company, seeing the way they treat people. Not the dream job I thought it was, ho hum.

After your "probationary" period, would you be due to receive enhanced pay or benefits? If so it sounds as though this is a way of keeping pay down. If he doesn't find a replacement before the end of your supposed probation period, expect to receive some kind of appraisal which suggests extending your probationary period so you don't get enhanced benefits.

Is your contractual notice period due from the company just statutory (one week) at the moment?

Pete111

LittleVoice wrote: »

After your "probationary" period, would you be due to receive enhanced pay or benefits? If so it sounds as though this is a way of keeping pay down. If he doesn't find a replacement before the end of your supposed probation period, expect to receive some kind of appraisal which suggests extending your probationary period so you don't get enhanced benefits.

Is your contractual notice period due from the company just statutory (one week) at the moment?

Good question LV.

Worth noting also that there has been case law in the past whereby an individual going past the nominal date of their probation (ie the 3 month point) has been deemed to have passed by default - even though no probation meeting was had etc.

This may be useful if for example, the OP's contract stipulates a longer notice period after probation and they were to get the chop at a point after their probation period was up. Simply put, they should be entitled to a longer period of employment while they work their notice or a bigger payment in leiu.

view

I am a PA/EA.

Does you boss (per usual for this role) ask you to manage/monitor his Outlook?

Instead of sitting there worried and possibly leading yourself down thewrong track....be an adult, be professional have some gumption and summons th ecourage and ask him outright. If you need to make something up, say you were looking for a response to a meeting or such like and came across the email.

Tell him you're obviously fine if he is looking for someone else if he is not happy with your work, however, that you would like feedback as to what ways of working he is not happy with so that you can develop skills to combat this in future.

Be open and honest with him - he is obviously not being! Confront him (nicely but firmly).

It never ever fails to bemuse me when a Director sends an email like this and somehow thinks a PA/EA won't see it!

view

LittleVoice wrote: »

After your "probationary" period, would you be due to receive enhanced pay or benefits? If so it sounds as though this is a way of keeping pay down. If he doesn't find a replacement before the end of your supposed probation period, expect to receive some kind of appraisal which suggests extending your probationary period so you don't get enhanced benefits.

If he did this he would be one of the most stupid Directors alive! Having a PA who knows your ways of working, how you like your diary and schedule managed, what is important and not, how to manage your day, your inbox, meetings, events etc.. etc.. is something you just can't buy. Training someone up to do this every 3 months is just ridiculous!

I'm in no way saying he's not doing this but if he is just to save money, he'll replace savings with hassle and headaches!