I lost my job

[Iwassayingbooburns]

I just need to vent about this.

Got to work yesterday for the boss to pull me in his office and tell me he knows through word of mouth I've been looking for a new job and he thought he'd get the ball rolling, he'll pay me till the end of the month but that's it. Bye.

I keep replaying the situation over and over on my head and wish I had said something, but all I did was burst into tears and walk out. It's me not being assertive that has got me into this mess.

I've been looking for a new job for a few months, I told my direct manager because naively I thought it would make my life easier because I was anticipating having quite a bit of time off going to interviews (in reality I didn't get one interview) soon enough everybody knew and it got round to the boss who was not happy.

9 months ago I was 'promoted' which to them meant I was doing my old job in the morning and the new job in the evening 'training' for no extra pay with the promise that I would go full time in the new job with a big pay rise, everytime I asked when this would be I would get fobbed off but I'm an idiot so I kept at it.

Also one of the other reasons why I wanted to leave was one of the directors (married with kids) has been making advances via text over the last 6 months, I felt like I couldn't say anything because ironically I didn't want to lose my job and we don't have a proper HR department anyway being a small company.

To be successful you really need to be a cunt don't you? They've completely fucked me over for months and months and I've just let them

I've only been working there for 14 months so I can't go to a tribunal

This is shit

[Divgirl2]

What an awful situation, and that sounds like an absolutely horrible company to work for. I think I'm a few years you'll look back and wonder why you put up with it for so long but I realise that doesn't put food on the table.

Treat yourself this week to lots of self care, and then next week start applying for the every job you think you could even maybe do.

Your ex boss sounds like an absolutely arsehole.

[Iwassayingbooburns]

Thank you. He is a complete arsehole.

I'm just so angry, especially at myself for letting them do this to me.

I wish u could go back and tell him why I was looking for a new job. But in the moment I was in such shock.

And now I'm terrified, I have two weeks to find a new job

[Youtoldme]

I don,t think it’s legal to do what they have done, there is a process of verbal then written warnings to go through. I would go to citizens advise and see what they advise

[Putthatlampshadeonyourhead]

To be successful you really need to be a cunt don't you?

OP I am sorry you have had to deal with this. But please dont think you have to become a cunt to be successful. Some people are cunts, some if them successful.

Plenty of successful people arent.

While you may need to become more assertive, dont think you cant be successful, unless you become someone horrible.

They have treated you appallingly. I hope you find something quickly

[Twizzleegg]

Great beginnings are often disguised as terrible endings. Don't beat yourself up. You had a normal reaction to bad management. A good manager would have brought you in to discuss the situation and given you a chance to speak.
Be nice to yourself and proud of being honest. Don't burn bridges though, you need a reference.
Good luck OP

[shouldwestayorshouldwego]

I would go to him with the texts, say that this is why you are unhappy, if possible negotiate redundancy and a good reference in return for going quietly. With less than two years service unfortunately you don't have many rights. Do some agency work for a bit and use it as an opportunity to think about what you want in a job so you don't rush into anything.

[shouldwestayorshouldwego]

Obviously don't threaten not to go quietly- something like 'I don't want to make a fuss about it but I want a good reference and to be able to say that I was made redundant'.

[BoomBoomsCousin]

The two year limit does not apply to sexual harassment claims. You can talk to a union rep, Citizen's advice bureau or a solicitor about how to get justice. You need to take action within three months of the last incident.

[HBStowe]

That is so shit, I am so sorry. They sound like an absolutely awful company and in the long term you will be much better off not working for them. I know that it’s very hard to feel that way when you’re feeling this vulnerable though.

You will find another job - keep focusing on that and directing all your energies towards it.

It’s probably also worth saying that it’s never the best idea to tell your workplace you are job hunting, because some will use it as an excuse to shaft you (especially in a small company). But I expect you already know that yourself! Yours sounds like a particularly horrible company anyway.

I hope you’re ok. Try to stay positive. Better things are out there for you!

[TheBlessedCheesemaker]

What specifically is written in the texts? If you have been sexually harassed then you need to speak to a solicitor. The harassment led to your finding the role impossible, and this directly led to the situation that you are in. Do not go back to them to negotiate anything (redundancy would be worth nothing in this situation). Regardless of harassment position you are legally entitled to your full notice period and any holiday pay earned and not taken, so if this adds up to more than 2 weeks pay then you should write to the company and request this to be paid immediately (factual letter, not referring to anything other than having been fired and bring entitled to notice plus holiday pay).
An initial meeting with a solicitor should be free, and your household insurance may cover legal costs so check this. You have nothing to lose.

[Moorfields]

Get in touch with ACAS, they have a helpline and they can advise you on next steps. Also, look on their A-Z directory for a list of policies.

m.acas.org.uk

[mathanxiety]

Do what TheBlessedCheesemaker advises.

[Mummyoflittledragon]

I’m really sorry about this. Definitely speak to a solicitor. The guy should not be allowed to get away with the harassment.

[Bemusedagain]

I’m pretty sure the 2 year rule doesn’t apply if you’ve been forced into quitting through harassment. What is in the texts? Did you keep them? You need to speak to acas or ring a local solicitor with expertise in employment law and ask for a free half hour consultation. I was laid off when I’d only been working somewhere a few months when I found out I was pregnant. They had to be really careful and I ended up getting a years full time salary. Go get proper advice.

[Marlena1]

Absolutely what theblessedcheesemaker says. Get agency work while you look for something better. You can always say you wanted to travel or something if you want to explain a gap on your CV.

[Marlena1]

Ps this probably is a major major blessing in disguise!

[jay55]

It's only 2 weeks to the end of the month. Is that your notice period?
Being there less than two years means you can be let go for any reason but they have to give you your contractual notice.

[Bemusedagain]

I’ve just googled and you don’t need 2 years service to claim sexual harassment. However, you do need proof. If you’ve still got the texts then you’ve got a case. You need to act quick though. There are strict time limits. So call a solicitor today. Read up on your rights here

www.redmans.co.uk/sexual-harassment-at-work-a-quick-guide-for-employees/

[Shiraznowplease]

What goes around comes around, my dh was in a similar position about ten years ago. He found a much better job and about 18 months ago the shitty bosses came to apply for a massive contract, he thoroughly enjoyed watching them squirm and try to buddy up to him. He also know the shortfalls in their services/ shortcuts they take and showed them up royally in front of his new bosses so ensuring they weren’t asked to tender again. Revenge is sweet and it seems like your old boss/company were really poor employers. It’s hard short term but in a short while I am sure you will be much better off x

[BritInUS1]

Please speak to ACAS

[Fcukthisshit]

Firstly I would ask them to give you your notice in writing. secondly, do you still have all the texts? If you do, it puts you in a strong position either to get your job back, a longer notice period paid or take them to court. I’d send an email to all directors and your manager, stating the reasons why you were looking for another job but I’d make it clear that if you don’t get an acceptable response from them, that you will be taking it further. No small company wants to be dragged through the courts, especially for a sexual harassment case and if that happened, his wife would most likely find out so they all stand to lose a lot of you were to pursue a court route.

[HopefulAgain10]

Honestly it sounds like they did you a favour. It sounds like a horrible environment to work in. Lots of advice for you to follow up on.

[Awwlookatmybabyspider]

I'm no expert but I'm 99.99% sure what has happened is Illegal. I think The only things you can be sacked with immediate effect is gross misconduct such rasism. Homophobic comments. Fighting ect.
Certainly not for looking for another job. Its not misconduct by any means at all, let alone gross.
Other factors such as lateness, not performing well. They have to give you warnings.
And he can't pull out a cock and bull. story that you were underperforming. Why did he give a promotion less than a year ago, then.!!!!
You need to speak to ACAS.

[Iwassayingbooburns]

I'm gutted but I don't think I have those texts. I broke my phone, it was all on WhatsApp and I didn't back it up in time and lost most of them, there's a few but they're not that bad. I lost the one where he literally asked me to have sex with him ffs.

Notice period was a week

[Fcukthisshit]

If you don’t have the texts, you could bluff and say you still do and you’ll use them in a sexual harassment case and see what happens? I don’t know if there’s any way of getting back old texts on WhatsApp? Might be worth checking though?