Dismissal on probation

_Diana_

Dear all, I would be grateful if you someone could help with an issue at work. 

Recently, I got a 6-month employment contract with a private company. During two months of my employment, I successfully accomplished all working tasks and did not get any negative feedback or criticism from colleagues and managers. I even got some emails where they gave positive feedback on my work. At the end of the second month, they told me that my set of skills does not fit their requirements and they will terminate my employment in one week notice what is in line with my contract (I was on probation). I am wondering whether I can do anything in this situation. I read a lot about the Employment Law in the UK and got an impression that an employee cannot challenge his dismissal during first two years of his employment. Obviously, an employee may claim a discriminatory dismissal anytime, but a clever employer will never tell that we want to terminate your contract because you are <protected characteristics>, s/he may tell that “your set of skills does not fit our requirements” and s/he even does not need to explain which skills are required and what is wrong with an employee’s skills. Although I have read many times that “it does not mean that an employer may do what s/he wants during probation”, it looks like that s/he does. 

Anyway, I have no intentions to work for this company anymore and I am not interested in compensation, I just want to show to an employer that their behaviour was below all ethical norms. If they were unhappy with my work, they had to give me feedback and suggestions how to improve. I was very disappointed to find out that a reputable company treats its employees in such unethical manner. What can I do in this situation? Thank you.

DE_612183

Not sure what you are asking - you don't say what you want to happen - you don't want the job, you don't want compensation.

Move on get another job - perhaps tell your friends not to work for them.

As you say they have not done anything legally wrong.

Brie

You would need to provide some proof that they had discriminated.  So all the contracts terminated early were held by women.  Or there was an ongoing campaign against <protected characteristic> by a set of individuals whereby they complained about something you were doing.  The difficulty is that a lot of these things are very subjective and become a bit of ping pong battle of "I said/you said".  

Best of luck with your battle!

_Diana_

DE_612183 said:

Not sure what you are asking - you don't say what you want to happen - you don't want the job, you don't want compensation.

Move on get another job - perhaps tell your friends not to work for them.

As you say they have not done anything legally wrong.

This is what I am asking "I just want to show to an employer that their behaviour was below all ethical norms".

DE_612183

_Diana_ said:

DE_612183 said:

Not sure what you are asking - you don't say what you want to happen - you don't want the job, you don't want compensation.

Move on get another job - perhaps tell your friends not to work for them.

As you say they have not done anything legally wrong.

This is what I am asking "I just want to show to an employer that their behaviour was below all ethical norms".

Depends on the size of the company - if it's a big one - you could they emailing the CEO - if it's small it's very unlikely they will take any notice of your complaint.

You could try and take it to a local paper - but be aware that might mark you down as a troublemaker and stop potential future employers taking you on

Mr.Generous

Wonder if it was based on referencing? Can take a couple of months to get them back, reviewed and a decision made. Did you have to provide any? If so, maybe start working for a mate and get them to request a reference so you can see what they say...

_Diana_

Mr.Generous said:

Wonder if it was based on referencing? Can take a couple of months to get them back, reviewed and a decision made. Did you have to provide any? If so, maybe start working for a mate and get them to request a reference so you can see what they say...

They asked me whether I need a reference and I told them that I do not need (I will request references from another employers). Anyway, I think that if I need their reference they would provide a good one.

_Diana_

DE_612183 said:

_Diana_ said:

DE_612183 said:

Not sure what you are asking - you don't say what you want to happen - you don't want the job, you don't want compensation.

Move on get another job - perhaps tell your friends not to work for them.

As you say they have not done anything legally wrong.

This is what I am asking "I just want to show to an employer that their behaviour was below all ethical norms".

Depends on the size of the company - if it's a big one - you could they emailing the CEO - if it's small it's very unlikely they will take any notice of your complaint.

You could try and take it to a local paper - but be aware that might mark you down as a troublemaker and stop potential future employers taking you on

DE_612183 said:

_Diana_ said:

DE_612183 said:

Not sure what you are asking - you don't say what you want to happen - you don't want the job, you don't want compensation.

Move on get another job - perhaps tell your friends not to work for them.

As you say they have not done anything legally wrong.

This is what I am asking "I just want to show to an employer that their behaviour was below all ethical norms".

Depends on the size of the company - if it's a big one - you could they emailing the CEO - if it's small it's very unlikely they will take any notice of your complaint.

You could try and take it to a local paper - but be aware that might mark you down as a troublemaker and stop potential future employers taking you on

I decided that unless I find another solution I will write to MP. They have to do something to protect rights of employees during first two years of their employment.

DE_612183

Have you asked the question about "what skills?" - you could ask them to explain to help you in the future when applying for other jobs.

Have you given any thought to the fact that perhaps you didn't have the skills they need for the role?

2 months is a short period of time - if you were on a six month contract and your work was ok, I don't see why they would then terminate after 2 months.

With 2 months you've only probably got used to the job, and the company to you.

p00hsticks

_Diana_ said:

they told me that my set of skills does not fit their requirements 

I think the first step would be to politely ask them what skills they felt you were missing to meet their requirements, in order to help you in your next position.

_Diana_

DE_612183 said:

Have you asked the question about "what skills?" - you could ask them to explain to help you in the future when applying for other jobs.

Have you given any thought to the fact that perhaps you didn't have the skills they need for the role?

2 months is a short period of time - if you were on a six month contract and your work was ok, I don't see why they would then terminate after 2 months.

With 2 months you've only probably got used to the job, and the company to you.

Yes, I asked and they gave me some examples. However, none of the skills they mentioned were required to accomplish my working tasks. Moreover, when I looked a "Duties" section of my contract it became clear none of the skills they mentioned were relevant to my duties. Anyway, I do no think that we need to discuss this here. I will think how to avoid similar situations in future. I started this thread in order to find out whether I can show to a company a lack of ethical behaviour in this situation.