New Job suddenly let me go...Need Help.

MentalMinnie

I started a new job on Monday last week, via an agency on a 9 month contract. All went well, I'd pre-arranged with the agency that I needed Friday off to go with my mum for some test results at hospital. As it turns out she's been diagnosed with breast cancer. I went in this morning, asked to speak to my manager in private and told him what was happening, and that I wouldn't let it affect my work, but would it be ok to come in late the morning she's due to have her mastectomy. He said absolutely fine, and that I should go home this morning as it was a lot for me to digest and that I hadn't had enough time over the weekend. He said to take a day or two and call him tomorrow morning. At 4.30 I got a call from the agency to say the company were letting me go as I didn't fit and they didn't think I would be able to do the job.

I've only been there 4 days, and only spent 2 of those days on the computer. Are they allowed to do this? I wasn't on a trial period either. They've clearly decided that my family issues are going to cause problems and have basically sacked me. Which I think is really unfair.

Have I got any rights or not?

Dogger69

If they were dismissing you due to your mother's diagnosis this could be unlawful, even with such a short length of employment. However as they have given a non discriminatory reason, then unless you can prove otherwise, they can do this.

Sadly there are some really scummy employers out there. It might not feel like it now, but you're better off out of there

Takeaway_Addict

Dogger69 wrote: »

If they were dismissing you due to your mother's diagnosis this could be unlawful, even with such a short length of employment. However as they have given a non discriminatory reason, then unless you can prove otherwise, they can do this.

Sadly there are some really scummy employers out there. It might not feel like it now, but you're better off out of there

It could also be that the OP just wasn't good enough...

MentalMinnie

Takeaway_Addict wrote: »

It could also be that the OP just wasn't good enough...

I was, that's the thing, the manager said I'd done well last week, and wanted to start me on calls today. I'd been proactive last week in taking orders that had come across and I'd done them all correctly as they'd been checked.

Takeaway_Addict

MentalMinnie wrote: »

I was, that's the thing, the manager said I'd done well last week, and wanted to start me on calls today. I'd been proactive last week in taking orders that had come across and I'd done them all correctly as they'd been checked.

It sounds dodgy I will admit. As has been said can you prove it was for anything else?

If so you may have a case but it looks weak. Might be worth a quick chat with a professional but I wouldn't get your hopes up

Dogger69

Takeaway_Addict wrote: »

It could also be that the OP just wasn't good enough...

Even if it was it is a downright nasty thing to do - send her home under the pretence of being sympathetic, and then call the agency to do the dirty work.

Takeaway_Addict

Dogger69 wrote: »

Even if it was it is a downright nasty thing to do - send her home under the pretence of being sympathetic, and then call the agency to do the dirty work.

Harsh yes but remember the employer's contract is with the agency not the OP

Dogger69

Takeaway_Addict wrote: »

Harsh yes but remember the employer's contract is with the agency not the OP

Which does not change the situation one bit - this is about basic human decency. To know someone has just had such news and then dismiss them (even worse, get someone else to dismiss them), makes that individual scum. Shameful behaviour.

Takeaway_Addict

Dogger69 wrote: »

Which does not change the situation one bit - this is about basic human decency. To know someone has just had such news and then dismiss them (even worse, get someone else to dismiss them), makes that individual scum. Shameful behaviour.

I wouldn't say scum but otherwise yes you're correct

MentalMinnie

Takeaway_Addict wrote: »

Harsh yes but remember the employer's contract is with the agency not the OP

My contract of employment was with the company though as theosition is a permanent one. Do they not have to give me notice?

Takeaway_Addict

MentalMinnie wrote: »

My contract of employment was with the company though as theosition is a permanent one. Do they not have to give me notice?

So the agency just were used to fill the position? Notice would be as per your contract.

I take it your not a member of a union?