Let go today during probation

Siobhan7

Hi, I went to work today and was told they "have to let me go"

I am still in my probationary period which I get but only a couple of weeks ago they were singing my praises in a one to one meeting?

I was off a good chunk of last week sick, I had a sickness and diarrhoea bug so went home Monday afternoon, I felt fine Thursday so went back in only for me to throw up again so I went home again and came back today.

My manager told me it was out of his control. He didn't seem to want to be sacking me. I asked for the reasons why and he said there were "various factors" but wouldn't tell me what.

I know the other week I heard them all talking saying business wasn't great, there weren't enough candidates for the roles (I worked in recruitment) or more roles were being filled elsewhere. Also a few years ago they had to make a few people redundant due to business not being great.

My manager has said he is more than happy to find me another role with one of their clients.... which makes me think that the reason isn't me at all and they just aren't being honest.

I've had no warnings about the quality of my work, last week was my first lot of time off due to ill health (and I think a sickness and diarrhoea bug is a good enough reason to be off) all they've said is "I'm not the person I was in interview" which is complete bull as I haven't changed since then.

The company is a small family business with 9 (now 8) employees including the two owners and their two kids.

Do I have any rights at all?

Comms69

No rights at all (except to notice pay and holiday pay)

General_Grant

Siobhan7 wrote: »

Hi, I went to work today and was told they "have to let me go"

I am still in my probationary period which I get but only a couple of weeks ago they were singing my praises in a one to one meeting?

I was off a good chunk of last week sick, I had a sickness and diarrhoea bug so went home Monday afternoon, I felt fine Thursday so went back in only for me to throw up again so I went home again and came back today.

My manager told me it was out of his control. He didn't seem to want to be sacking me. I asked for the reasons why and he said there were "various factors" but wouldn't tell me what.

I know the other week I heard them all talking saying business wasn't great, there weren't enough candidates for the roles (I worked in recruitment) or more roles were being filled elsewhere. Also a few years ago they had to make a few people redundant due to business not being great.

My manager has said he is more than happy to find me another role with one of their clients.... which makes me think that the reason isn't me at all and they just aren't being honest.

I've had no warnings about the quality of my work, last week was my first lot of time off due to ill health (and I think a sickness and diarrhoea bug is a good enough reason to be off) all they've said is "I'm not the person I was in interview" which is complete bull as I haven't changed since then.

The company is a small family business with 9 (now 8) employees including the two owners and their two kids.

Do I have any rights at all?

First of all - Rights - right to notice and pay for that period, pay for any accrued holiday not taken, that they follow any contractual procedures leading to the dismissal (a small company and unlikely to be any).

It's not enough work for the number employed - and they don't want to formally say that, downward spiral.

Good to be placed in a position with a client - they get commission on placing you.

Siobhan7

I understand the commission thing but I know they won't place someone if they know they aren't good enough as they pride themselves in their reputation.

Comms69

Siobhan7 wrote: »

I understand the commission thing but I know they won't place someone if they know they aren't good enough as they pride themselves in their reputation.

I don't understand your question?


You could be fantastic, the best thing since sliced bread; they can still choose to not employ you.

Siobhan7

I meant to say they wouldn't just place me for the commission. They take pride in their reputation too much.

Thank you. I'm still in shock but I am not going to cry into my cup of tea. I am going to redo my CV and get myself out there again. Cried enough tears for a year!

General_Grant

Siobhan7 wrote: »

I understand the commission thing but I know they won't place someone if they know they aren't good enough as they pride themselves in their reputation.

As Comms69 says.

And I'm guessing you are the newest person on the staff and not going to cost them as much to dismiss as other, more experienced, people.

Siobhan7

Yep. Definitely. Everyone else has been there for years and years - there are 4 members of staff not related to the owners and another 4 that are family.

[Deleted User]

Siobhan7 wrote: »

I'm still in shock but I am not going to cry into my cup of tea. I am going to redo my CV and get myself out there again. Cried enough tears for a year!

That's the spirit x

Working somewhere with family connections is the pits and always going to be a disadvantage.

Last week the person who recruited me into a role only 2 months ago announced their leaving

Siobhan7

I honestly thought it wasn’t like that. I felt like I fitted in. Was always laughing and joking with them. Had things in common with them all. Was doing so well. Just don’t know what to say or do. I was in this position years ago where I didn’t make the probation but this company were notorious for employing people to fill a backlog and then letting them go (found this out after I’d worked there)

It’s just odd that there was a massive backlog of work when I started here and now there isn’t - the other person in the same role as me recently had two weeks annual leave... just seems as if they only wanted me to rid the backlog and cover annual leave.

Comms69

Siobhan7 wrote: »

I honestly thought it wasn’t like that. I felt like I fitted in. Was always laughing and joking with them. Had things in common with them all. Was doing so well. Just don’t know what to say or do. I was in this position years ago where I didn’t make the probation but this company were notorious for employing people to fill a backlog and then letting them go (found this out after I’d worked there)

It’s just odd that there was a massive backlog of work when I started here and now there isn’t - the other person in the same role as me recently had two weeks annual leave... just seems as if they only wanted me to rid the backlog and cover annual leave.

Probably. This is why researching your employers is a vital part of any job application