Just been sacked for the first time ever after a funeral

I wouldn't mention anything about the manager as it could suggest that you don't stick around if things change - which they do. If I was the recruiter I'd be interested in "completed two successful projects" but not so impressed with "my manager had left/restructure" which suggests that you aren't open to change.
Massive assumptions of course, but sometimes recruiters draw conclusions from innocent remarks.

Good question @PrueD and you can turn this to your advantage!
Say as a result of completing those two projects you realised that you had learned a great deal about successfully managing projects and that has now given you an appetite for further increasing your skills and continuous improvement. Your current company is unable to ensure that you will be assigned to similar opportunities and you've decided this is the time for you to develop your skills further which has led to seeking other similar job opportunities and would be open to formal development if it was available.
No need to comment any further about anything else at your current company; stick to the continuous improvement and career development theme.
Good luck!

I hear “not good culture fit”

I think “trouble”

Quite clearly op…. The impression you initially gave the thread that there was categorically absolutely NO issues ever, is quite patently inaccurate

I'd definitely go for the "successfully delivered 2 projects" approach. Recruiters will always look for potential "good hires" ie employees who get the job done, right attitude, and look like they will fit in with the company culture. Unkind as it may sound, given the choice between two candidates, they may read more into "not a good culture fit" as that can mean so many things. Good candidates often get sifted out of a pile of job applications because the recruiter is looking for best fit and if they have a good choice of applicants, they may home in on anything that they deem to be a block/red flag/concern - whatever you want to call it.
HOWEVER! If you get shortlisted and invited for interview it's much easier to have that conversation face to face and be more clear about what you value in an employer as well as what you bring too.
As far as job seeking is concerned, some candidates are unconcerned about company culture and will just go for job fit/good package etc. I'm guessing that cultural fit and how the potential employer treats their employees is important to you, perhaps more so now than in the past. In which case, do your research about organisations; look at their website and see if they have their company values there - what are they telling you? Do they mirror your values? Also check out Glassdoor where employees leave feedback (both good and bad) about organisations which can prove useful, but only that, not necessarily the full story!
Good luck, in the future you will look back and realise that things often happen for a reason.

I really wouldn't work out an excuse. If pressed at interview just say there was restructuring going on.

I would just focus on having successfully delivered 2 projects, and left after the latter one was completed.

Honestly if a future employer likes you and your skills they won’t be overly focused on this. You worked there, successfully completed two projects but it wasn’t a good cultural fit and the manager who employed you moved on so you’re looking for a new role.
And then talk about what you’re seeking in a new role, challenging projects, personal development and a good culture in the workplace.
Channel your frustration and anger into something great. You aren’t ’letting them get away with it’ - you’re focusing on yourself and your own well being and future success. Good luck!

Be careful.about sounding too defensive. The compassionate leave could easily drift there.

The "issues" sound like standard workplace stuff to me.

I wouldn't work for a firm that wouldn't cut someone a little slack around a funeral.

Yes, I’ve read the thread and the drip drip of little “issues” would indicate the OP doesn’t have a leg to stand on

OK!

This is going to sound harsh, but doubt nothing just makes you complicit in their behaviour and an enabler. They could go on to do this to someone else if they are not nipped in the bud.

Get angry, OP. Get your husband to write the grievance for you and reference legal jargon etc. Leave no loophole for them. Let him take them to court and wipe the floor with them.

Whether ACAS agree or not - This is unfair dismissal. They've not followed workers rights round defend themselves and go through the motions of a warning first etc. They took that right from you. What if they do this to other women!?

Could the company be in financial difficulties? A friend of mine was sacked for very artificial reasons and discovered later from colleagues that the employers were really struggling and manufacturing reasons to ask people to avoid paying redundancy.

I’m really sorry, as you’ll now be aware, you can be dismissed without a reason under 2 years and I’ve known companies do it for all sorts of reasons - including cost cutting/face not fitting etc. I had a friend who was sacked the day she submitted a fit note by a care company after a challenging adult she was working with broke her wrist!!

it’s an awful way to treat people, but I would just focus on getting your annual leave and notice paid and once settled elsewhere let people know what they are like. When asked why you left you can say something like “ our values didn’t align” in applications and then explain at interview that you weren’t treated well and your contract was ended without any real reason. Most companies only give a very basic reference now and don’t give a reason for leaving, however you could check with the HR team and if you do decide to appeal this could be something you ask for as part of your outcome (a basic reference which doesn’t confirm reason for leaving)

And it's clear where your 9 year old gets it from. 😂

my 9 year old said almost word for word this morning re an argument with his younger sibling @AngelicKaty

Only because she keeps coming back at me and can't admit she got it wrong. When she stops, I will.

Dog. Bone. @AngelicKaty

Yeah, moving on so you can side-step my question: "So why did you write "if"? (She doesn't have to ask "if" they will pay her PILON, politely or otherwise!). You could have just said you actually didn't know when you made that mistake. 🙄