Just been sacked for the first time ever after a funeral

Sorry this has happened to you. Sounds like the new manager took some sort of a dislike to you and marked your card from day one in her role.
I have had a new manager for a few months now and things have massively changed. My last manager and I got on very well and it was quite 'casual', but this one is running the show thinking we're some big corporate set up (we are a ver small charitable organisation).

I had a conversation with them 1.5 weeks ago stating current workload was fine but more being piled on top wasn’t

who instigated this conversation op?

Yes I think it's 2 years. I was sacked last year after working for the same company (through an agency) for 3 years on a zero hours contract. I was told I had to speed up about 20 minutes into starting that particular task - everyone else had been doing that task all the previous day but this was my first time. Nothing else was said, the whole job was completed ontime and sent out. I was actually told well done by both my line manager and the manager directly above them. I got in my car and 5 minutes later had a call from the agency that I was too slow and the company didn't want me to come back. My p45 would be in the post!
I was totally shocked, my brother had died unexpectedly a couple of months earlier and my son had just come out of hospital after having sepsis.
Anyway I complained and was reinstated but I must admit I view my job differently nowadays. No one has apologised to me.

I didn't work the next day but later on that day I had a call from the agency saying they really needed me to work the following day and the Saturday!

Honestly, this is my area and I don't think I've ever recommended anyone take sort of complaint further. I have even had a very strong case myself in the past and I've just let it go, because I knew how gruelling it would be. The reason is that even when individuals win employment tribunals, the process can be so punishing they don't really feel like winners. On the other side, employers can win or lose and it feels like just another day's work. The employee is fully invested in the process, while for the employer's representatives its just another task. Walking away and moving on is by far the best solution in the long-term. If you take this further, it will keep dragging you back to these strong feelings of unfairness etc, over and again. The system isn't wrong per se - at least it is there and individuals can and do win - but there is no way to equalise the experience of the system across the two sides.

What a crappy week you’ve had. Contact your old company and see what they have. Use your contacts. If this employer regularly fires people before they get employment rights after 2 years then they will be known for it.

also you said another woman was fired and now you have been fired. Is there a pattern there?

you can do a subject access request on yourself and they have to legally give you all the information about you, including emails. They will have written something down.

I know you don’t want to go down the grievance route but maybe getting an agreed reference. I imagine the client that complained will be less happy now nobody is sorting out the work.

get in touch with everyone and update your LinkedIn so people know you are available.

It’s shit and unfair but you have no legal recourse. Your time / energy would be best spent job seeking and sorting a reference.

I don’t see what this has got to do with anything?!

Were you still in your probation period?
if not then I think sacking without written warning is only allowable in the case of gross misconduct.

Speak to your union or seek legal advise

I would take it further, my employer has a personal improvement plan.
Sorry for your loss

I wouldn't waste time on a grievance and just concentrate on your job search. Once you've secured a new job then you can refocus your efforts on a grievance if you can be bothered at that point.

D’you know what, at least they confirmed it wasn’t you it’s them & I think this will be apparent to anyone who knows about it.
They sound absolutely despicable & no one could survive there in such a toxic environment long term. They probs have a very high staff turnover 🚩 and in the long run it will be a blessing that you’re not there anymore.

A couple of points here. 1) They cannot provide you with a bad reference. They should simply confirm your job title and dates of employment, which would be all I would also expect for a top performer with a decade of tenure. 2) You are one tiny dot in what will be a year of turmoil. There is a pattern of bosses of less than successful businesses behaving appallingly and this is inspiring a lot of movement in the job market, from people under 2 years of tenure being pushed out for spurious reasons, all the way up to long-tenured top talent that has had enough of the boss's nonsense. Your story is a common and believable one. You are not alone and will not stand out.

Then, if you do ask to return to your previous employer in a different role, there is no "backward stepping" if you frame your choice constructively. I know a number of people who had very successful second stints with an employer they had previously left. Two had "unfinished business", but others simply realised that they could have asked for a new challenge in their old company, instead of leaving to change things up - not an error, but a mere misstep. You might have to withstand a bit of gentle ribbing, but if you take it in good part, you'll soon settle back in.

I am so sorry this happened to you and I can understand why it’s shocked and upset you so much.

I work for a nice company and have seen several people leave but then come back after anything between 6 months and 2 years, in no time at all it’s as if they never left and if it is potentially of interest to you to approach your previous employer don’t worry about being seen as failing or that they may not be able to take you back. For that very brief period of awkwardness you may be back with a company you know and like ! Best of luck whatever you do

@PrueD Im so sorry to read this. Your ex employers sound like complete ass wipes and they don't deserve you.

Move on. Get a better job and rise above their BS. There is nothing you can do cos you've been there 9m.

Ref future employers, I wouldn't say anything unless asked. You enjoyed the job, the work was varied and you had successes. Focus on that.

Look for an interim contract in the meantime of finding a permanent role. Sign up with specialist recruiters in your field. You should find something that pays better reasonably quickly. You dont need to set up a limited company either, use an umbrella company to do your accounts etc it'll be cheaper until you decide what to do.

Re references, dont ask the company for a reference, although they can't say you've been sacked or anything about your performance its not worth running the risk because it sounds like they dont follow law/rules etc. Contact your boss on maternity leave, talk to her about what's happened. She'll probably be shocked and may offer you a reference. If not, would someone else you know in the company give you a reference? Im hoping there is someone you have a good relationship with who will do this.

Good luck x

Unfortunately as you have been there less than 2 years, they can dismiss you for any reason. I was dismissed from a job after a few weeks once because my boss said there was no chemistry between us! I understand how you feel. It is hurtful and humiliating but in the big scheme of things, it's just a blip. You will find something else and can put it behind you

Can't do a thing under 2 years

Most companies won’t give a reference these days, they’ll just say you worked there from
x to y and your job was z. IME it’s rare they’ll actually say anything about your performance etc. they’re too scared of blowback/ lawsuits

Don't be put put off by the fact you haven't worked at the company for 2 years and bringing an employment case againt them. I have recently gone through a Preliminary hearing and settled out of a court before the actual trial, for a company I only worked at for 3 months. Due to signing an agreement I can't go into detail, but my point being if you feel you were unfairly dismissed fight it. Even if that means representing yourself like I did.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/work/dismissal/check-your-rights-if-youre-dismissed/

this will explain your rights

My gut feeling is, they’re a terrible company & they did it cos you had time off, even tho it was legitimate & they approved it. My dad was a brilliant employee & the company loved him til he had an angina attack & needed a couple of weeks in hospital & then they got rid of him. I think you’re old company know exactly what they’re like & will probably welcome you back. If it’s possible in your sector, you should consider joining a union - they offer brilliant protection in circumstances like this. Or you could go for an unfair dismissal tribunal as they haven’t given you a chance to address their concerns or improve on any issues they had. Very best of luck whatever you decide 🤞🏽