"Let go" during probation period

jwo1985

Just need a bit of advice really. I was let go during my 3 month probation period today (despite just being just over a week into my employment) and told to clear my desk.

Now I've looked at a couple of websites and it seems that I should be informed in writing of the reasons for my dismissal and that a meeting should take place to discuss my dismissal.

Now all I have been told is that the paperwork will all be "sorted out soon" and not to come into work (even though the company should give a week's notice on any dismissal.

Is the impetus on me to chase the written reasons for my dismissal and meeting, and if so how long should I leave it before writing/calling the company? I don't want to be waiting for these reasons and them never arriving and am slightly concerned that not attending during my week's notice could have an adverse effect because this implies that I accept their decision to let me go.

Also what happens if the company do not provide written reasons or arrange a meeting at all?? Any advice would be appreciated.

dmg24

A company does not have to give reasons for dismissal within the first year of employment.

There is no statutory right to notice within the first three months. The employer may choose to pay you notice if they so choose, or if it is in your contract.

The above information can be confirmed on the ACAS website.

stebiz

To be honest this doesn't seem worth pursuing at all. On the face of it, it looks like your face did not fit in some way. This could be for a number of reasons - many of them not your fault. You have very few rights in employment law. Let it drop. Get looking for a new job and move on.

Stebiz

honeypop

I agree with the above 2 posters. During probation period you can be let go without any reason and without notice, unless perhaps your contract said otherwise and you wanted to persue it, which to be honest isn't worth it after only being there a week. If they asked you to leave without nitice and you agreed by not turning up, then I believe they don;t have to pay you for it.

jwo1985

I wasn't trying to give the impression that I wanted to sue the company for millions (I wish ), I was just trying to establish what rights I had with regards a written explanation as to why I was "let go".

I guess I'm more disheartened that I haven't been provided with a reasonable explanation of why my face didn't fit in the office, particularly as I was being trained on my own away from everyone else.

I know I've been stitched up :mad: , in my eyes its no coincidence that I was dismissed two days after requesting changes to my training schedule, but you live and learn.

Oh and thanks for the replies! :T

Conor_3

jwo1985 wrote: »

I know I've been stitched up :mad: , in my eyes its no coincidence that I was dismissed two days after requesting changes to my training schedule, but you live and learn.

So you started a job and not even a week into it, was already wanting to change the terms/hours of the job?

And you wonder why they got rid of you?

You weren't stiched up - you brought about its premature end all by yourself.

Roosh

The request was for a change in the training schedule .. not hours/terms of the post. Not enough info to judge that it was self inflicted in my opinion. Management may have suggested that there was some flexibility, and/or good reasons for asking such a request.

I would check on the conditions of service, and I would write a letter requesting their reasons. You may not get one, but it is worth a try.

jwo1985

Conor wrote: »

So you started a job and not even a week into it, was already wanting to change the terms/hours of the job?

And you wonder why they got rid of you?

You weren't stiched up - you brought about its premature end all by yourself.

If you read my post again you'll see that I've not asked to change the terms/hours of the job.

I simply requested that I spend more time training on the job, (rather than off the job, and away from everyone else in the office), and was told that if the current training style didn't suit me then they'd be more than happy to look at ways to adapt the training.

You may be right though, maybe I did bring my service to a premature end all by myself, maybe its just arrogance stopping me seeing the reasons for my dismissal, but the point is that I wasn't made aware of the reasons which is why, arrogance or not, I'm left feeling slightly wronged.

dmg24

jwo1985 wrote: »

If you read my post again you'll see that I've not asked to change the terms/hours of the job.

I simply requested that I spend more time training on the job, (rather than off the job, and away from everyone else in the office), and was told that if the current training style didn't suit me then they'd be more than happy to look at ways to adapt the training.

You may be right though, maybe I did bring my service to a premature end all by myself, maybe its just arrogance stopping me seeing the reasons for my dismissal, but the point is that I wasn't made aware of the reasons which is why, arrogance or not, I'm left feeling slightly wronged.

I don't think that an employer should ever be allowed to dismiss someone without good reason, but unfortunately they are allowed to hide behind the law and not tell you.

Are you planning to claim JSA? If so, the DWP will probably write to your employer asking for a reason. It may be possible to find out this way? x

jwo1985

dmg24 wrote: »

I don't think that an employer should ever be allowed to dismiss someone without good reason, but unfortunately they are allowed to hide behind the law and not tell you.

Are you planning to claim JSA? If so, the DWP will probably write to your employer asking for a reason. It may be possible to find out this way? x

As luck would have it I'm being besieged with calls from agencies and other recruitment firms asking me to register with them so hopefully I won't be out of work for too long.

I've decided to write a nice letter to the managing director asking for reasons as well as the pay that I believe that I'm entitled to. If I get nothing back then I'll just have to accept it, but given that it took so long to write a nice and polite letter (minus all the expletives that I wsh I could include) I hope I do get a response.

Once again thanks for all the replies :T

jobbingmusician

You can do more than just write a nice polite letter (although this is a very good idea as a start). If your contract of employment states that you are entitled to a week's notice, then this is what you should get, and the employer is entitled to give you pay in lieu of notice but NOT to terminate your employment suddenly without pay. You are owed a week's wages, and can recover these through the small claims court if necessary. Point out to the employer that you are expecting this money (they are probably expecting to send it to you in any case).