I think I've just been fired

[CinnamonVanilla]

Boss found out that I applied for a job with our parent company. Supposed to be anonymous; but I'd have said when it was appropriate. Our HR director beat me to it; in front of a lot of people, apparently.

He took me into a room to say that it was humiliating; and means he no longer trusts me, so how do we move forward. He said my work is excellent but this is a big issue.

He's given me some time to think. Presumably he's expecting my notice this evening. I've been here just under two years so there's nothing I can do.

This has made my anxiety rocket and I don't know want to do.

Thanks for the continued support.

I talked to ACAS again today. They've advised me that the correct process would be to raise a grievance first but that it didn't sound like it would be advisable to do that unless I'd gone off sick or took annual leave first. She recommended starting the early conciliation process.

I'm so overwhelmed. Manager has been told that I have raised that I'm struggling; I believe, he was oddly (and very over the top) nice to me when I was leaving today.

Regardless of how he was this evening because he's been tipped off, it doesn't retract what he has previously said and done. Write a diary of everything and get signed off.

The more you post, the more incompetent your manager sounds!

If there is no policy that you had to inform, then you didn't have to inform. End of story. The fact he is effectively sulking now and taking work away from you is bullying and unacceptable.

I hope you are okay.

Please document everything and send copies to HR. Please also contact the manager of the department you had applied to and ask for a meeting. Explain the situation and the key points that have arisen in the meantime.
State that you would like to be transferred as soon as possible if the new job is available.

Morning all.

Manager is visiting another site today; so I'll get some respite. Sadly; HR contact is also off.

I'm hoping to speak to a local employment solicitor today; all being well, so they can help me move forward. I've also got a copy of the grievance process - I'd need to submit my complaint in writing to HR to take this above an informal grievance. I'll do that tonight if the solicitor thinks that should be my next step.

(Not that I doubt you lot. I'm just trying to get it resolved but also give myself a rest)

I'm really very grateful for the support I've got here.

Glad you're getting some formal legal advice. Good luck!

CinnamonVanilla, you are incredible and throughout this have maintained a professional stance. Non-MN hugs and here to quietly stand in your corner xxx

It's a good move getting the advice of a solicitor, someone that will truly be on your side without bias of working for your employer too.

Promising update. Keeping everything crossed for you.

A local employment solicitor is a good call, OP. Good luck.

OP you are definitely stronger than you give yourself credit for.

Good on you for getting a solicitor involved.

What the hell am I reading?
You applied for a job and all this shit has happened?
I haven't missed a massive chunk of information have I?

I've got a meeting with HR later today. Talk with solicitor went well but it's a £250 per hour cost unless my employers agree a settlement; at which point they'd take over costs.

I can't really afford that when I'm losing my job...

Intending to visit HR with a timeline and ask if we can sort this now. It's making me physically ill. I'm quivering and everyone can see that I shouldn't be here.

Could you go off on sick leave. You are essentially being bullied out.

Do you want to leave? Aside from your manager are you happy in your job?

Good luck today OP with HR. It’s terrible when these things happen and such shot that employers allow it to happen.

Sorry if I missed it, but when is the 2 year work anniversary? Has it now past?

OP, does your house insurance give you legal cover for employment issues?

I talked to HR. It didn't go well. I said everything that the solicitor advised but they are insistent that I need to talk to my manager or his manager and start the process; and also that they won't discuss a settlement until a proper grievance has been raised and we've found a way to work together.

Left the meeting to go to a team lunch. They've all gone without me. Now just crying at my desk.

HR lady told me to go off sick for a while and come back when I can face the meetings and might want to sort things out. She wants to send me home. I don't know whether to clear my desk.

I'm debating going home and starting the ACAS conciliation process. I don't think I can really afford to pay a solicitor again.

This is awful.... is there any chance you can talk to the manager for the position you have applied for?

Honestly I'd go off sick. Get your head and health together and go from there. Don't clear your desk.

There are processes you must go through - when I was being made redundant I had to appeal in order to bring it to tribunal so they're just following procedure.

By asking for a settlement you are jumping the gun.

You've been told the process to follow, so why can't you just follow It?

File the grievance, do what needs to be done. And then you can keep your job if it can be sorted out or you can ask for a settlement.

I'm sorry to sound horrible, but you seem to be making this worse on yourself. Just follow the proper procedures. Your boss has been a dick, but you still need to follow all the processes before you can get what you want. Just do it.

The grievance process involves telling my boss that I think he's discriminated against me; and then holding a series of meetings where we work through each incident with a neutral third party observing. In the meantime; I work next to him while he's making my life hell. I do not think I have the strength for that.

Feeling very pathetic here by myself. I don't see how grievances for discrimination ever work. They can't exactly tell him to value me more; so even if he's ordered not to discriminate, we'll both still know what he thinks of me... and I doubt my career will progress under him.

Can HR support you in talking to your manager's manager? From my experience of these issues they don't send you off on your own to have the conversation. Could you ask to have someone from HR to facilitate the discussion? Just as a first point in their process. I'm sorry it's really taking its toll on you. You've done nothing wrong

HR have asked you to follow procedure for a reason - you'll need to show that you've told the company you are not happy with the way you've been treated and given them a chance to fix things. That's what the Grievance will be for. I don't think you need to be signed off sick or take annual leave first though, just start the grievance procedure.

Go through the process, poppet. Don't forget to add that they pissed off without you on the team lunch.

He can wiggle like the worm he is but you'll win in the end. Keep your cool, fight back and keep on at ACAS whom I found utterly useless when I had to seek help. Push through.