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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask how worried I should be about this work situation?

28 replies

OffWorkandWorried · 07/02/2025 15:46

Posting for traffic.

Background: worked for my company continuously for 8 years. Large company, established. HR dept exists but with v high turnover.
15 months ago I moved internally to a different role (which was part of my previous role, but was separated out)
I wasn’t given much direction in the new role. Have not had an appraisal since 2023.
I’ve really struggled in the past 5-7 months. Mainly with workload and unreasonable expectations.
Manager aware but nothing in writing.
I’ve definitely been underperforming - again not brought up to me directly and nothing in writing.

The workload and stress got to be too much and I’m off sick for 6weeks. I’ve left a backlog of tasks I haven’t completed and feel “found out”.

I am concerned that once I’m back, I’ll be managed out/sacked.

i am applying for other roles but there isn’t much out there in my sector. I have a 4 mo notice period. No savings and nothing to fall back on, money wise. Family can’t support me.

i would speak to my union rep except…I AM our union rep.

YABU - it’ll take ages to sack you and you’re over thinking this

YANBU - jump before you’re pushed and hand your notice in now.

OP posts:
yakamoza · 07/02/2025 15:59

Not sure what your sector or your company is like but my employer would 100% prefer to either manage people out, i.e. get them to leave voluntarily or make them redundant rather than dismiss on poor performance. From what I know, the latter isn't that easy to do (esp. for larger companies and esp. in situations where underperformance hasn't been made clear on a regular basis). Having said this, if you company takes a stance, they can always start making a case for underperformance now and gradually lead up to dismissal. Managers, however, in my experience don't really like doing that because it obviously means they have to deal with it all personally and not many people enjoy the process.

So, I'd say work on your performance if you can but keep looking for another job and if possible, make savings. At this point, you probably shouldn't quit because they may choose to make you redundant or offer voluntary redundancy in which case the company would have to pay something that would help you with at least some security for the time you are looking for another job.

Original poster
OffWorkandWorried · 07/02/2025 15:56

Catza · 07/02/2025 15:52

If you are a union rep, you know the procedure for dismissing someone for poor performance. It takes ages and, so far, they haven't even taken the first steps which is to inform you of their concerns and have PIP in place.

I think I was about to be put on a PIP, as my boss asked to extend our usual 1:1 this week to an hour rather than the usual 30 mins. But we didn’t get to meet as my fit note came through on Monday.

I know logically it’ll take a while but also I’m mortified. If I’m sacked, they won’t pay PILON and I’ll be in a pretty bad situation. I think I’m just really panicking.

OP posts:
Catza · 07/02/2025 15:52

If you are a union rep, you know the procedure for dismissing someone for poor performance. It takes ages and, so far, they haven't even taken the first steps which is to inform you of their concerns and have PIP in place.

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