Just been sacked for the first time ever after a funeral

I know it's no comfort right now but it's a shitty situation and they have behaved unprofessionally.
Most of us have had an experience of "not being the right fit" and it stings but isn't unusual
I think it sounds like a horrible working environment and here is a good chance to find something much better.
I work in recruitment and there is a definite pick up I think after a very slow year last year. Fingers crossed the right job comes alng soon.

If a grandparent that is immediate family so yes this is unreasonable.
Legally though you can be dismissed quite easily within 2 years.
Were there any other concerns or issues at work - had it all been going well until that point? Had you handled the request for time off for the funeral well? Had you had other time off related to any other issues? I know it's so disappointing when employers don't support you in the way they should.

Get in first with anyone in your industry whose opinion you value. You can truthfully say you "left" without going into details of how. Give the impression they were not a good company to work for, and that you are looking for somewhere else with more integrity and professionalism.
I am sorry for your loss OP. more important in the greater scheme than this employment blip in your life.💐

I'm so sorry for loss, and for their crass, insensitive timing.

At the moment you're in turmoil, grieving, worried about income, concerned about your reputation and prospects.

This is all absolutely understandable - be gentle with yourself.

Some therapy for the grieving process.

Investigate if you might qualify for some benefits to tide you over financially.

Push for any severance pay you might be entitled to. (Talk to acas, your union, if necessary)

And work on a change of mindset when you feel stronger.

I was fired nine months after I started a 'permanent' full time role nine years ago. I was aware they were casting about trying to find things for me to do. Eventually I was called in, handed a letter, told don't come in tomorrow and we'll give you a couple of months pay in lieu of notice.

It's possible they can't afford you, felt the job you were doing was complete, don't have much work to justify keeping you on, are making 'efficiences' (🤮) in other areas, are in trouble ... If there is no concrete feedback you can actually use - put it down to life experience. It will recede into the past very quickly. Your goal is to push it down and overlay it with better, current experience.

The important thing is the way you think, speak and write about that experience.

What did you learn? Achieve? Deliver? Any transformations, savings, testimonials you can quote?

Polish up your CV asap, and your LinkedIn profile with that up to date info. Positive, proud of what you did with that time and experience.

Ask good colleagues for LinkedIn recommendations - they're valuable.

And do what I did - refer to that engagement as an FTC - fixed term contract. The more you write and say it, the more you will believe it yourself.

A reference is just to confirm you did work there for that period. Secure that confirmation, those contact details, from HR asap. It's not about how well they think you did it.

Stay polite, pleasant and businesslike however you may be feeling in all your dealings with them - and how you talk about them. You never know.

All the best.

You've not been dismissed for any kind of misconduct so in all probability they'll want you to be a 'good leaver', especially if you're in a cottage industry.

I would suggest a friendly convo with your manager in which you can let it be known that you'd like a really good reference. I doubt they'll have an issue with that; I certainly make an effort to write good references for people I think are good but just not right for my business, or even make introductions where I can. One of my leavers ended up in a company whose size and client roster is much more suited to him. I see him regularly and he's thriving.

I honestly think this will end up being a blessing in disguise for you as long as you play your cards right in this transitionary period and don't burn any bridges.

& I’d tell close to the truth on CV / at interview, you delivered X, Y & Z in your time there, if asked why you left say that a project ended & your employer gave you notice.

You tell the truth.

If they ask why you're applying for the job, you tell them you're seeking a new opportunity.

If they ask why you're leaving your current job, you tell them you actually love your current job, work really hard, had a great appraisal/review a few weeks ago, but had to take two days off due to your grandmother passing away, and her funeral so they terminated your contract. Make it clear your manager went on maternity two weeks ago so it's the new manager who decided to terminate your contract.

Sounds like you're better off finding something else. Try and see it as a positive, even though it sucks right now.

Haven't read the whole thread but just wanted to say how sorry I am to hear what's happened.
I worked somewhere very toxic and hadn't been there long when my very recent ex-partner died and they were absolutely awful about it.

I'm a manager myself now and think it's shocking how you've been treated.

I know you won't be able to see this now but if this is how they treat their staff, you're better off out.

When my ex-partner died it was a really awful time obviously, but when I really hit rock bottom it was after an awful meeting with my boss. Someone from occupational health was there supporting me and she said afterwards she couldn't believe how he'd spoken to me. I went home and called Samaritans feeling the closest to the edge that I've ever felt. I'd always got on really well at work so it felt like my sense of who I was was shattered.

Luckily I had another job at the time that I did 2 days a week and they supported me really well and seemed to be really happy with my work.

When I got out of my awful job and moved to a new city it was like a weight had been lifted and I could start grieving properly.

Sending all the most positive wishes and hopes for the best to you. It will probably be a shit time for a bit but you'll get through it!!

Yes it is relatively common, sadly. Many employers only give basic, factual references with dates of employment etc, and you may well be able to negotiate such a reference that doesn’t refer to their verbally stated reason for ending your employment.

I'm sorry this has happened op. It's been a shit week for you!
Could you maybe leave it off and say you were looking after an ill relative?

This is true. I imagine it doesn't have much to do with you and it's a case of cost-cutting in this uncertain environment. Try to get a good reference and start looking for another job.

I was "sacked" from a job once right after being off for something similar. I had been there about 3 weeks short of 2 years!

The reason made no sense. "Business reasons" which they couldn't elaborate. The department didn't exist before I came (outsourced) so I had set it all up. I still believe it was because one of the directors just didn't like me.

I cried for about a week. Right around covid too so I was terrified I wouldn't find anything.

Now, it was the best thing that could have ever happened to me. I found the perfect job about 3 weeks later and I'm still there now.

OP I know how you feel. It's horrible. Go home. Let your emotions all out. Let your friends and family support you.

Have a wine, have a day off doing anything tomorrow then start preparing for the next step. I am confident you will look back om this and realise you were lucky to leave such a toxic place.

Take care xx

It was a fixed term position - Mat cover.
You could always request a copy of the reference that your former employer will provide.
They would be treading a very tight rope if they provided a leave reason given they didn’t start a PIP. Usually the reference says start date, end date, last position held.

Could you leave it off your CV completely? Use your previous job for a reference, and say that you spent “some time” looking after your grandmother in her final months.

I’m so sorry OP. What a shitty time for you. 💐

Sadly, PP are correct and there is fuck all you can do given your short service. The government are tabling a bill to change this, but as it stands, you will have to take it.

If you worked in public services or a large unionised organisation, you might get it overturned on appeal due to unfair process, but it doesn’t sound like that’s an option in your case.

Most employers give a basic reference that says “Jane worked here as a copywriter from x to x.” If they are asking why you left, it might emerge that they dismissed you.

This is a toxic environment and you are better off out of it. Dust yourself down and get out there using all your contacts and get a new job. I hope it comes soon.

I would be honest at interview, and say your reviews in person with your manager had been good and no issues were raised, but suspect may be a case of last in first out, as you'd just successfully delivered a large project you had been working on, and you'd taken some leave due to a very close family death so you imagine it was a convenient time to ask you to leave with the costs of employees due to go up in April, meaning they could now remove your position and cut costs.

Then I would say how much you're looking forward to moving on and tackling new challenges etc, or some such positive forward looking comment.

The old company can't give you a bad review, although they may state your absence/sickness record.
See it positively - I'll bet you hated being micromanaged, so a good opportunity to get something better!

Edited to add @Fluffybagel agree with 'the position was made redundant'

Do you let them know about this policy at interview?

"By the way, my procedures for determining if you are a suitable candidate are very weak so I have no idea if you're a good fit for my team and am just stabbing in the dark by hiring you. Now you are leaving your previous job and making plans based on the income from this role, you should be aware I may sack you for no reason and with no warning and some stage."

Or do you sleep at night knowing that they are now working out how they are going to pay their mortgage and feed their kids because you offered them a job you didn't actually want them to have?

Most references are factual giving dates etc but you want it to be positive if they make any comment.

Did you have approval to take time off? I can only see it as a disciplinary offence if you asked for time off, it was refused, and you took it anyway or if you just didn't turn up with no explanation. However, in these cases, I wouldn't sack you. I'd be sensitive to your grief and gave a chat with you.
Sounds like a terrible employer! My boss has allowed me a lot of time off because of my sick cat lately...

Oh also to add - I was made “redundant” which was my reason in interviews. It honestly has not affected anything in terms of other jobs. They’ve always given me a good reference. Good luck x

Look, OP. Unfortunately this happens, particularly in toxic workplaces. The measure of this company is absolutely exposed with their timing. I think this is a blessing in a terrible disguise.

Firstly, apply today for non means tested JSA so you maintain your NIC stamp. You’ll also get some pocket change each week & they can contribute towards the cost of getting to job interviews.

After that, close your laptop, have a cry, just relax and know that everything will work out in the end. But for this week you’re going to give yourself space and time and kindness.

On Monday, set that alarm, get up, get showered and get your CV prepared and treat the job hunt like a job. Have 2 CVs one for interim work (retail etc) and one for your career. Organise the search like a project and tailor your applications to the roles. Also spend some time thinking about your leave reason, and practice your response. Connect with some recruiters and let them do the heavy lifting for you.

I know this feels awful right now, but you will look back one day & see that sometimes these things happen for a reason.

So sorry this has happened to you. This also happened to me, and what I will say is that it honestly all works out, had I not been let go from somewhere that wasn’t a great workplace, I wouldn’t have the great job I’ve got now. Doesn’t feel like it now, but in the long run, they’ll have done you a favour!

Unless you think there are discriminatory grounds you can be legally dismissed within two years' service. Ask for a reasonable reference