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Original poster

I think I've just been fired

433 replies

CinnamonVanilla · 17/10/2018 17:05

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.

OP posts:
GlitteryFluff · 23/10/2018 12:18

Hope your meeting with her goes well Thanks

DarlingNikita · 23/10/2018 12:27

...a performance plan. He could not tell me what would be included, but said he'd "find something".

Hmm Isn't that him just blatantly admitting to trying to manage you out? I hope you've got notes/a recording of all that. Not to mention the deliberate head-fuck of cancelling a meeting and then sitting next to you for all the time that he was supposed to be busy.

You need to be factual, professional, appear slightly bemused by the madness and simply eager to revert to situation normal without closing down your long-term plans to move through the company.
Absolutely this. I wouldn't go to a grievance; behave impeccably, make sure you have all your facts marshaled and simply be more professional and reasonable than him.
If HR are worth a dam they'll warn him to drop his current behaviour sharpish.

Poster65 · 23/10/2018 12:28

This is awful! I hope he gets a slap back to reality

RoomWithALoon · 23/10/2018 12:46

OP did you manage to record that meeting s you suggested you might?

RedDrink · 23/10/2018 13:35

Does your manager really think they can put you in a performance plan just because they're upset? Confused

Volant · 23/10/2018 13:46

Whether you recorded the meeting or not, write down what you remember happened in as much detail as possible; also write down what he and everyone else says about your work being excellent. Write it in neutral terms and send a copy to HR as a record of what has been going on. You should consider entering a formal grievance and using all this as evidence.

MulticolourMophead · 23/10/2018 13:49

OP, you definitely need to make HR aware that he was talking about a performance plan, yet couldn't tell you anything about it. And that he'd said "he'd think of something". This sounds like he's going to make something up and you need to get in first.

Angelf1sh · 23/10/2018 16:34

Have you got past 2 years yet?

YouCanCallMeJodieWho · 23/10/2018 16:35

Awful. Hope your meeting goes well.

Rhondacross · 23/10/2018 16:36

For those still thinking that recording meetings without the permission of those involved is a good idea - unless you plan to do it to just re-play proceedings to yourself for your own entertainment don't do it. Particularly in the work setting. As soon as you share that recording with a third party, without the permission of the people you recorded, you are breaking the law and could be sued. You cannot share the recording audibly, as a transcript or in the form of minutes (as someone earlier thought that what I was saying only applied to minutes). I know this, I have just been in a situation at work where I had to establish the legal position where someone had secretly recorded a meeting. Our solicitor clarified this.
In Op's place those encouraging her to do it are placing her in an even more vulnerable position than she is already because normally such situations are covered by company policy and protocol, so she could be open to disciplinary action.

Op - stay strong, you haven't done anything wrong.

NoSquirrels · 23/10/2018 16:48

HR. Today. Report all of what was said.

Poor you, OP!

larrygrylls · 23/10/2018 17:01

Cinnamon,

They have treated you appallingly and your manager sounds like a jumped up bully. Applying for another job means that you are ambitious and employable, something that should be cherished. They should have been asking what they could do to keep you, not blaming you!

I would very quickly start a formal grievance proceeding and report the GDPR breech to the relevant person. I would then raise a grievance for bullying and victimisation. The cold attitude And continuously rearranged meetings at the last minute are clearly intended to intimidate and would be thought of very badly by an employment tribunal.

Make sure to keep meticulous records of everything that has happened.

If it gets worse, leave and claim constructive dismissal and go and see a good employment lawyer.

MoteOfDustInASunbeam · 23/10/2018 17:03

HR now.

Volant · 23/10/2018 17:18

Rhondacross, that's essentially what's consistently been said upthread. It is perfectly legitimate to record for your own use, and in some circumstances a recording can be used in tribunal proceedings with the judge's permission.

PeterGriffinsPenisBeaker · 23/10/2018 18:13

Honestly, I would record surreptitiously via an app all the conversations and meetings you are having. I've for it before - switch your phone to aeroplane mode and it will still work with the screen off. I use Voice Recorder. It's amazing what people will deny when placed under spotlight and it's been amazingly useful for me.

Good luck - he sounds like a wanker and I hope your anxiety and stress subside. How bloody dare he!

Labradoodliedoodoo · 23/10/2018 18:27

How did it go with HR?

OliviaBenson · 24/10/2018 15:12

Hope it went ok with HR.

Greenkit · 28/10/2018 08:33

Any update ?

Original poster
CinnamonVanilla · 29/10/2018 12:10

Sorry all. I had a preplanned holiday - a few days to think; which was probably quite good for me.

HR was nice but encouraged me to talk to my manager again. She said it didn't sound like something "in the spirit of our company" and to give it another try. She did also say that she could arrange mediation but that would likely rile him up. She asked me to come back and see her today; which I intend to do if she has time.

For a few reasons; mostly health and career based, I'll need to leave imminently. I am debating approaching HR to negotiate an exit. I'll work until completion of my biggest project (despite massive nonsensical changes to it being made whilst I was off...) but I'd like my bonus (due in late Jan); a months pay to help me find something else and an agreed reference. In exchange I won't escalate any grievances over my treatment or how much they've worsened my disability through their behaviour. I'm not sure they'll go for it; but it could be worth a try... if I can survive that conversation with my manager; that is.

OP posts:
Miscible · 29/10/2018 12:13

Do you have another job to go to?

myrtleWilson · 29/10/2018 12:20

Hi, am sure you are right to be focusing on your health and well being and future career prospects. Working in a potentially toxic atmosphere where you are on high alert at all times will not be good for either health or career.
That said, and this will sound cynical and better placed posters may have more informed views, if you are going to speak with HR about a negotiated exit do make sure you're speaking from position of 'strength' You mentioned up thread you were almost at 2 yrs but am not sure if you clarified how far off? Would asking for copy of grievance policy be useful? HR may get sense of seriousness of your stance and may assist in negotiations but equally they may hasten a dismissal prior to two years. There are experts on the thread who I'm sure will provide better advice but best of luck to you moving forward

hellsbellsmelons · 29/10/2018 12:23

a months pay to help me find something else
3 months pay!
You may need a little while to find a job.
It's coming up to silly season and people are hanging on until the new year.
If they want you gone then they'll have to pay you until January.

pinkandstripey · 29/10/2018 15:56

PHONE ACAS!!!!!!

Sorry to shout, but you absolutely need some proper advice before you agree to anything. They have treated you like absolute shit, work out exactly what your rights are.

Solenti · 29/10/2018 16:06

God yes, as I advised earlier in the thread, phone ACAS! They will take over negotiating for you entirely and make sure the company is working to the proper legal standards. Your HR sounds shite (I was HR manager for years)

Smashingnicey · 29/10/2018 16:14

This is ridiculous! You've done nothing wrong?! I feel for you OP I really do. Are there no other colleagues who can back you up here? Can you go to someone better else in HR?

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