I don't know why I lost my job

[useyourimagination]

I was 'let go' yesterday. It was totally unexpected and I have been given no explanation as to why. I know that I have no legal right to be told as I had been there under 2 years but I'm now worried about how that's going to look to future employers. I asked 3 times at the meeting but was told three times that 'I'm not going to tell you'. I know there were no customer complaints and I suspect the reasons were financial or perhaps I upset someone internally but I just don't know.

For those of you who work in recruitment, how would you view an application from me when my reasons for leaving are termination of contract for unknown reasons?

[Sarsparella]

Surely that’s illegal, what kind of contract did you have?

[Bluntness100]

why not ask them if it is ok if you say you were let go due to business downturn, to help you get another job. I'm sure they will agree.

[LEMtheoriginal]

Can you take it higher?

[useyourimagination]

It was a permanent contract but they've given me one week's notice and I have no legal right to reasons because of the length of service.

I don't think they'll agree to me giving any reasons and it's purely speculation on my part. I can't take it any higher as it's a family business and I think the decision came from on top.

I'm not actually upset at losing my job per se, just the way it was done.

[AJPTaylor]

Reason for leaving last job:
Made redundant.

[TittyGolightly]

They weren’t made redundant.

[useyourimagination]

Was I made redundant though? My letter of dismissal just says your contract is being terminated. There was no mention of redundancy and no redundancy pay.

[wheresmyphone]

Go on to Citizens Advice website and look at their employment section.Gives you the 6? Grounds you can get employment protection from Day 1 of employment. Consider if you have been discriminated against for any reason. If there is a chance call Citizens advice for help.

[AnarchyKitty]

I would maybe ring ACAS and have a chat. It seems like they have let you go before your rights as an employee came in. Sods

[useyourimagination]

@AnarchyKitty - they have form for that :(

[Roomba]

So sorry, OP. If you've been there under two years they can get rid of you at will, as long g as they haven't acted illegally by breaching some other employment rule. Not sure if there is any legal obligation for them to say why they are letting you go though. It's obviously not misconduct as you'd have to have a disciplinary, not redundancy as they'd have to follow consultation rules and all that. Maybe they won't give a reason as they don't want you disputing it? Whereas if they give no reason you can't say they've got rid of you illegally? Very shoddy behaviour really but not sure if you can do much about it.

[ApacheEchidna]

They are literally allowed to terminate your contract for any reason whatsoever, or none at all. Except if it might be discrimination - then you have some protection. Any hint of that being a possibility?

Reason for leaving: my employer gave no reason for terminating my contract and wasn't obliged to due to short time employed - but they will confirm in references that there were no issues with my performance, trustworthiness or reliability.

(Will need to verify with employer that this is true)

[FrostiesMum]

@useyourimagination if I was you I would ask them, in writing, to provide you with a copy of the reference they plan to provide fur you now you are seeking new employment. Whilst you can’t force them to tell you the reason you will presumably want to ensure that they aren’t going to put anything you are unaware of on a reference. This is appallingly bad practice. I’m sorry you’re in this position.

[flowery]

They don’t have to give you a reason, as you know, but it’s very unusual not to, even if sometimes the reason given isn’t entirely accurate! Very bad practice as pp said.

I agree to ask them what they intend to say in a reference.

[AnarchyKitty]

It is shit. I've been there, in hospitality jobs it's rife. It's terrible workers seem to have little or no rights. I hope you get a new job quickly with better conditions.

[TittyGolightly]

It's terrible workers seem to have little or no rights.

You’d best hope Brexit doesn’t happen if you think it’s bad now!

[daisychain01]

I'd be interested to know in what ways Brexit is going to change UK employment law for the worse, in terms of protections that are in place for UK workers. They won't be reversing any laws AFAIK

[CuppaTeaAndAJammieDodger]

You can’t sue them for unfair dismissal under 2 years service unless you were got rid of on the basis of a protected characteristic (disability, sex etc.) when there is no period of service needed as it is automatically classed as unfair.

BUT if you have a contract with them which states their disciplinary process (often in their staff handbook which usually states that it forms part of your contract) and they didn’t follow their own disciplinary process you could sue them for breech of contract. This is assuming you are not in your trial period.

[donquixotedelamancha]

It's terrible workers seem to have little or no rights.
You’d best hope Brexit doesn’t happen if you think it’s bad now!

This; or more precisely: We better hope that once Brexit happens Prime Minister Johnson doesn't get too long a term ripup employment rights.

[Kelsoooo]

Not Wren kitchens by any chance OP?

[InvisibleUnicorn]

Sadly I know lots of companies who deliberately let people go within two years.

Unless you are pregnant or disabled, you have no case at all I'm afraid.

But the "good news" is that future employers will realise that other employers do this, and won't think twice.

I wouldn't worry about the reasons. It could be as remote from you as they need to save money from the budget. Could be absolute nothing personal to or about you.

Best of luck finding another job x

[useyourimagination]

Thank you all - I know I have no come back as there are no issues on which they have discriminated against me. I really do think it's a financial decision as I've since found out I wasn't the only one let go yesterday.

@Kelsoooo - no, not Wren Kitchens.

One last question, on an application form when it asks if I've ever been dismissed, usually under the heading of disciplinary/warnings, it's okay to put 'no' isn't it as I've never been disciplined/warned.

[JackieReacher]

I'm so sorry for you; it's like being dumped by text and not knywhy- very personally upsetting. Get an agreed reference and do your best to understand that it's not going to define your career

[wheresmyphone]

If indeed they got rid of other people then that really works in your favour. Easy to say poor trading results and we were let go. What sector are in: many sectors cull this time of year eg hospitality, retail. The more you show it was in normal course of business the better it looks on you.

[useyourimagination]

It was retail but think one off purchases like a new car so not something you buy every week. I do know sales figures weren't looking great.

I'm actually not upset at losing this job, I have a very supportive DH who is happy for me to take my time finding a new job so there's no pressure there :)