I've sort of been sacked?

[FloraFoxley]

Let me explain. Any advice would be good.

I started work for this company on march 6th this year so I've been there 6 months. It's a part time position - 25 hours a week and its doing something I've never done before ... Payroll! Very small company - only 6 employees plus the director.

It's a young company - recruitment type stuff. I'm 41- the average age is 26- the director himself is only 33. Loads of socialising , loads of fun, I've really got on well there and fitted in.

Until last week. The director took me into the kitchen to tell me that 25 hours was not proving enough to do my role - the woman doing it prior to me was full time but in a money saving exercise they decided to try and condense it to part time. He apologised for the ' experiment not working ' , told me to take my time looking for a new job but he'd like me gone by end of September. He will also pay me all my holiday . He was all sad faced etc about telling me, said he felt awful etc. said he only had to give me a weeks notice but he wanted to be fair to me.

I'm pretty gutted as I loved it. There is absolutely no question of me doing the job full time- the hours are 7.45am until 5.30pm and its just not feasible in any way shape or form ( kids related ) he is fully aware of this anyway. He glibly mentioned that ' I'd made a few mistakes recently ' - which surprised me a little because he's never said a word up until now.

He's given me a testimonial in which he says my time keeping , attendance and work ethic is exemplary ... And then he advertised my job as full time ( but adding something saying it was now HR as well as payroll ) - all within the space of 12 hours. There have already been people coming in applying which makes me feel great!

I've not got a leg to stand on have I ? Not that I'd do anything. He's back to his jokey self with me. I suppose I just feel a bit crushed and fancied a rant?

[VivaLeBeaver]

Can you ask about a job share?

I'm sorry, it must be upsetting but it doesn't sound like you've done anything wrong.

[FloraFoxley]

No to the job share. He is quite adamant that he wants consistency and one person now doing a 'HR/ Payroll ' role.

Thank you for your response though. It's almost like he's a bit 'bored' of me and wants a whole new broom sweeping the place clean. I was very clear that I had never done payroll before so he has trained me himself... It's not particularly easy and new things crop up every week etc. I know I've made errors but stupidly I thought that they were just learning experience type things. He's never ever said one word. I passed my 3 month probation no problem at all

[emmelinelucas]

Sorry, Flora. I cant offer any advice, but more people will come along.
It all seems so unjust and very sudden.
You have my sympathies

[FloraFoxley]

Thanks Emmaline. I was told last Wednesday and was really upset for a day or two. I've bounced back now but I feel all glum when I think about it... Not to mention that I actually need to work and there isn't a whole range of part time jobs on my doorstep right now!

PS I read about your issues at work. Bloody outrageous!

[emmelinelucas]

I have calmed down for a while. My meds for my back have that effect !
Its a right bugger for you, though.
I hope you find another job soon.

[VivaLeBeaver]

Anyone would make minor errors in a new job especially a role they've not done before and he knows that. I'm sure the errors weren't much or you wouldn't have passed your 3 month review and/or he'd have said something.

Sounds to me he's feeling a bit guilty about binning you so he's (partly in his own mind) making more of these errors in an effort to justify another reason why he should let you go, trying to lessen the guilt. Which isn't fair on you, so forget about it. You know you've done a good job. Hopefully with good references you'll find another job soon.

[Zoe789]

agree with vivalebeaver. on one level he must feel an absolute heel so he needs to remind himself that you made a mistake to try and push back down the conscience that is troubling him.

it does sounds like he wants somebody 25 ish, who'll work every hour god sends apart from when he/she is out propping up a bar with the gang. :-/

[outtolunchagain]

I am in charge of the payroll function,amongst other things at work.Thats a small payroll and I would have thought it could easily be accommodated in 25 hours a week ,it sounds like something else is going on myself,however better to know early on and take the good reference and move on.

Good payroll people are very difficult to find ,however it is a very complex area ,with lost of technical stuff to keep on top of,so if you are keen on payroll and are goodI would think you should be able to find something .

Also I know you have been there less than a year but i would have thought he would have to inform you i writing not just tell you in the kitchen

[VivaLeBeaver]

Those hours are crazy whether you've got kids or not. It's equivalent to working 6 days a week.

[FloraFoxley]

Ah the payroll isn't for the staff - it's for 100s of temporary workers! I agree - 6 staff members payroll would be a cinch! No - it's loads of work ( which I keep on top of ) - he also wants all the admin filing and ID collecting from temps done - and there is no way that this can be done in my time. The other staff are supposed to do their own admin but can't - hence why he now wants a full time person in. Sorry for confusion!

Thanks for all your replies. Yes I've got kids and no I can't do all the socialising stuff - although I have once or twice! It really was a bolt out of the blue and I just worry its 'me '

[GrendelsMum]

It sounds to me like exactly what he said - he thought they'd try to save money by making it a part-time job, but after they tried it, they've realised it isn't a part-time job, and particularly not for someone who is trying to learn the skills at the same time as doing it.

You've probably made mistakes because you don't have enough time to do the job in, and I suspect your boss has realised that. Yes, he's not judged the amount of time needed to do the job properly, but that happens.

I don't think you've been sacked - I think the post as a part-time post has been made redundant, and a new full-time post created which you don't wish to apply for. That's hardly a reflection on you.

[whiteandyellowiris]

Sounds like they want someone younger and able to socailse more

If they have given you excellent refs, perhaps it's best to cut your losses and move on, although I agree it's shitty they have done this to you
Totally unfair, they should employ two part timers to make it upto full time

Sorry your having a tough time op, best of luck with finding something even better
It's not your fault remember that

[Zoe789]

was he encouraging you to apply for your own job but full tme? or was that not encouraged? I guess you don't want that but it would have been nice to feel he wanted you full time, and was at least going to offer you the role.

[dufflefluffle]

Flora, look at this in a positive way - you have experience now that you didn't have 6 months. Hopefully this'll help land you an even more perfect job and you'll realise that being let go was the best thing that could've happened - fingers crossed here for you anyway

[FloraFoxley]

Umm not really encouraging, no. He said ' I know you can't do full time but if you could have we could have worked through the minor mistakes you've made ' ..... These mistakes that have never been mentioned to me before ; ) so no, he doesn't want me for the job at all.

You're all right. I shall stop wallowing and think a little more positively. Thanks for all your responses - they helped a lot

[ElephantsEye]

I'm not sure he's followed the correct process, but hopefully someone with better knowledge than me will be along shortly to advise. There may be some legal action you can take - these things are never quick, painless or simple - or you may prefer to over look this, put it down to experience and move on.

Whatever happens, you now have some really useful experience under your belt, and that will make you an attractive candidate to someone who values your skills and expertise more. I hope another door opens for you soon.

[Lionessnurturingcubs]

Flora - if you have a contract, and the hours are stipulated in that contract then he is being unreasonable to expect you to increase your hours to such an extent, especially so soon after employing you. If you have finished your probation period, he cannot dismiss you without specific reasons.

It would almost certainly be indirect sex discrimination, as realistically a woman with children could not do those hours. You should write to him, formally, stating how much you want to continue, how hard you have worked and how exemplary your work has been. Suggest in writing the option of job share. He would then have to reply in writing, and if he denies you that chance, then it would certainly warrant a tribunal.

You could seek help from your local CAB. Jobs are hard to come by and this employer is potentially committing sex discrimination, age discrimination and unfavourable treatment of part-time workers so you really should seek legal advice.

Has he put anything in writing to you?

[flowery]

" If you have finished your probation period, he cannot dismiss you without specific reasons."

Er, no. An employer doesn't need to give any reason at all for the first two years.

"It would almost certainly be indirect sex discrimination, as realistically a woman with children could not do those hours"

Plenty of women with children work full time, and recruiting a full time post is not discriminatory.

And not wanting to consider a job share would not "certainly warrant a tribunal."

Such a load of nonsense, and OP I urge you to read the disclaimer at the top of this board with regard to not assuming people who give advice on here are qualified, experienced or have the foggiest idea what they are talking about.