Probationary Period Woe

FuzzyDF

I am just looking for a bit of advice. I recently changed jobs (was in the previous one for 12 years). At interview I asked if I would received full training for the post that had been created for me and the answer was a "yes". I was also asked if I have any experience in Continual Professional Development, of course I answered honestly and said "no".

I have walked into a complete mess. No training (and it is a prestigious company), everyone vacated the office in the month of June so I literally had nobody to turn to for any advice. I am also covering for two people who are on maternity leave which means I haven't been able to touch any other work.

On 1st July the manager and team came back and of course they questioned me as to why I hadn't completed the CPD task they had set to which I replied "I cannot do this without training and I made it clear in the interview that I have never dealt with this subject".

For 12 days now I have been given conflicting advice from my manager which has set me up to fail. I had a chat with him on Friday explaining that there are not enough hours in the day to do three jobs (I even take work home at the weekend). His answer was "poor time management" which isn't true. I asked about an induction and training and he was silent. He has now given me a mammoth amount of tasks which will be impossible to clear in two weeks and insinuated that if they are not done I am out (I am on a 6 month probationary period).

I am worried sick as I believe I have no rights of appeal during probation. I am going to make arrangements to see the HR Manager next week and explain the difficulties I have faced.

My main worry is that they can give me one weeks notice and I will be unemployed.

I can assure you that I am an incredibly motivated, workaholic and problem solver but obstacles have been put in my way at every corner.

I am concerned that I will be unemployed in a fortnights time through no fault of my own. I would put my hands up if I made any errors etc.

General_Grant

FuzzyDF wrote: »

I am just looking for a bit of advice. I recently changed jobs (was in the previous one for 12 years). At interview I asked if I would received full training for the post that had been created for me and the answer was a "yes". I was also asked if I have any experience in Continual Professional Development, of course I answered honestly and said "no".

I have walked into a complete mess. No training (and it is a prestigious company), everyone vacated the office in the month of June so I literally had nobody to turn to for any advice. I am also covering for two people who are on maternity leave which means I haven't been able to touch any other work.

On 1st July the manager and team came back and of course they questioned me as to why I hadn't completed the CPD task they had set to which I replied "I cannot do this without training and I made it clear in the interview that I have never dealt with this subject".

For 12 days now I have been given conflicting advice from my manager which has set me up to fail. I had a chat with him on Friday explaining that there are not enough hours in the day to do three jobs (I even take work home at the weekend). His answer was "poor time management" which isn't true. I asked about an induction and training and he was silent. He has now given me a mammoth amount of tasks which will be impossible to clear in two weeks and insinuated that if they are not done I am out (I am on a 6 month probationary period).

I am worried sick as I believe I have no rights of appeal during probation. I am going to make arrangements to see the HR Manager next week and explain the difficulties I have faced.

My main worry is that they can give me one weeks notice and I will be unemployed.

I can assure you that I am an incredibly motivated, workaholic and problem solver but obstacles have been put in my way at every corner.

I am concerned that I will be unemployed in a fortnights time through no fault of my own. I would put my hands up if I made any errors etc.

Do you have a job description for this post? Have you been doing the tasks written there?

In my opinion "Continual Professional Development" is hardly a task in which you have experience but something which you do to develop yourself in your career. (Unless you are in HR - which doesn't seem to be the case - and have need, for example, to review the CPD records submitted by others.)

So what sort of CPD task were you set?

pinkshoes

I would be looing for another job, as it sounds like a very disorganised and unprofessional company to work for!

Just out in writing to your boss (and copy in HR) what was agreed in the interview, and therfore you still require this training befor you are able to carry out X, Y and Z.

FuzzyDF

General_Grant wrote: »

Do you have a job description for this post? Have you been doing the tasks written there?

In my opinion "Continual Professional Development" is hardly a task in which you have experience but something which you do to develop yourself in your career. (Unless you are in HR - which doesn't seem to be the case - and have need, for example, to review the CPD records submitted by others.)

So what sort of CPD task were you set?

Thanks, basically the person who held my post prior to my start wiped the drives which held all the info. It's a prestige but disorganised medical organisation. Basically my line manager wants to collate information that isn't there.

The other tasks that I am doing for the ladies on maternity leave are not in my job description but there is that line "and any other business".

FuzzyDF

pinkshoes wrote: »

I would be looing for another job, as it sounds like a very disorganised and unprofessional company to work for!

Just out in writing to your boss (and copy in HR) what was agreed in the interview, and therfore you still require this training befor you are able to carry out X, Y and Z.

I think that would be the best thing to do. I don't particularly want to stay on there but equally I don't want to be asked to leave before I find something else. As I'm in my probationary period they can give me a weeks notice which I'm terrified of.

General_Grant

FuzzyDF wrote: »

I think that would be the best thing to do. I don't particularly want to stay on there but equally I don't want to be asked to leave before I find something else. As I'm in my probationary period they can give me a weeks notice which I'm terrified of.

And I hope that all the notice you are required to give them is also one week.

I still don't understand what "continual professional development" means to these people. Was the CPD task they set you one whereby you had to collate this no longer existent data?

DandelionPatrol

FuzzyDF wrote: »

Thanks, basically the person who held my post prior to my start wiped the drives which held all the info.

With an organisation operating like this, I am not surprised that the previous employee took revenge. Is it acknowledged in emails etc that the data has gone? In your position, I would be fearing taking the fall for the data being wiped and I would be collecting evidence in my defence.

Plus looking for another job.

FuzzyDF

General_Grant wrote: »

And I hope that all the notice you are required to give them is also one week.

I still don't understand what "continual professional development" means to these people. Was the CPD task they set you one whereby you had to collate this no longer existent data?

Yes it's a week's notice both ways. The CPD task is exactly that, collate data from a drive that has been wiped (HR know the previous person destroyed the data and not me). So basically magic something out of thin air and then get fired for not doing it as its not possible.

I've applied for about 32 jobs online tonight but it's difficult out there.

I'm wondering if I have any rights whatsoever to extend the weeks notice until I find something as I haven't had any training, I have nobody to ask basic questions of and I am not doing the job that I was appointed to do.

Very frustrating.

FuzzyDF

DandelionPatrol wrote: »

With an organisation operating like this, I am not surprised that the previous employee took revenge. Is it acknowledged in emails etc that the data has gone? In your position, I would be fearing taking the fall for the data being wiped and I would be collecting evidence in my defence.

Plus looking for another job.

HR are aware that he wiped it so I'm in the clear on that one. If he was treated the way I am hardly surprised.

This company also made me fire someone in the first two weeks of my employment which I thought was despicable. My line manager wants to be the 'good guy' and got me to do his dirty work.

kazzah

my hubby was in this position and sadly was "let go" within his probation period - what i would say is this - TRY and bat as much of this back to your manager as possible for example - when he says " poor time management" - e mail him ( sending a bcc to yourself) and ask him
" how would you like me to prioritise the work you have given me - as it may not be possible to complete all the tasks during the working day"

he then HAS to reply to you to "help you" prioritise the tasks

ask him " where will I find the information you need me to collate? I have looked in x y z place for it and can find no record of it!

thus you are building evidence that you have not been properly supported during your probation period- but ultimately you are correct and if they want to get rid of you - they can - but if possible I would secure as much evidence as i could of the Managers general attitude and lack of support - they need to know WHY people are leaving and wiping out information from hard drives - otherwise things won't ever change

notanewuser

Probation is a red herring. You have no employment protection for 2 years after starting a new job with a new employer.