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Original poster

I've just been fired :(

54 replies

biscuitsandjam · 07/12/2018 08:31

Name changed because I feel a bit embarrassed about it.
Came in to work this morning and got a call from supervisor asking me to come to their office. They proceeded to tell me I wouldn't be offered the job again next year :( Technically not fired I suppose because I was on a two year contract, but was led to believe that this is almost always renewed. They said I hadn't done anything wrong at all in the role, but hadn't performed well at interview.
Please cheer me up!

OP posts:
justalittlebitsad · 07/12/2018 09:19

Are you at the end of the two year fixed term contract? If so, there's not an awful lot you can do.

Some employers have a bit of a funny attitude to contractors in that they are far more critical/will get rid of them at the drop of the hat.

Move on and find yourself something better!

morningconstitutional2017 · 07/12/2018 09:19

Use this to find something better - onwards and upwards as they say. I expect they're tightening their belts and you've been unlucky.

I was once fired as I couldn't type fast enough in the time allowed (though I'd made up speed slightly after the three month time scale) though others cheated the system by clocking in dishonestly.

Whether you argue the toss with them is up to you. Good luck.

Original poster
biscuitsandjam · 07/12/2018 09:25

Yes, it's been slightly less than two years. Thanks for the advice everyone. Financially I'll be fine for Christmas and holidays etc, it's more of a blow to my ego than anything else :') I won't try and appeal or anything like that, just feeling a bit sorry for myself.

OP posts:
WhatwouldCJdo · 07/12/2018 09:27

Have a wallow today but please don't let it eat into your confidence. it's not you - it's them. Employers work in weird ways.

The next one will be more interesting.

mcmooberry · 07/12/2018 09:30

Och I know things like this feel like a bit of a rejection and definitely a temporary blow but you will soon feel better after the shock of it has worn off and it wasn't a perfect job so onwards and upwards.

JustHereForThePooStories · 07/12/2018 09:30

I’m not in the UK but, does the UK have the Protection of Employees (Fixed-Term Work) Act 2003? I’d imagine so.

If that is the case, there’s a lot of misinformation given by some posters around the OP’s employment status, given she’s, presumably, on a fixed-term or specific-purpose contract.

ladycarlotta · 07/12/2018 09:33

I used to work in a place with a lot of people on temporary contracts, and yes this definitely happens. I'm sure some of it's to do with money and etc, but it's also a weird bureaucratic nightmare where you actually have to say specific words or phrases in your interview answers to score. If you don't phrase things in a particular way, or reply to a question with the 'wrong' interpretation of it, you don't get the points and if you don't get the points you don't get the job, however good you are at it. Managers have TOLD me that X didn't get the job 'because she didn't say the right words'. It's insane but it happens.

Tinkobell · 07/12/2018 09:33

Sounds v lame excuse OP. Sorry for this, they don't deserve you! Try and get commitment for a reference though! 💐

MrDonut · 07/12/2018 09:34

It’s tough on the ego but it’s their loss. Hopefully they will replace you with someone crap and they will totally rue the day they let you go.

Original poster
biscuitsandjam · 07/12/2018 09:39

From what I was told I think it's basically the situation which ladycarlotta has outline. But I'm feeling a bit better already. I am excited to hopefully move into a role which I find more rewarding and engaging.

OP posts:
Satsumaeater · 07/12/2018 09:43

If Jeremy Corbyn got rid of the stupid 2 year rule I'd vote for him. You should absolutely be able to get rid of underperforming people but only after due process. Nobody should be sackable on a whim.

Sorry to hear your news OP but please don't let it affect your confidence. I had something similar happen to me in the days when it was 1 year, and was got rid of with 11 months' service and I did let it affect my confidence and therefore subsequent jobs too.

justalittlebitsad · 07/12/2018 09:47

You haven't been fired.

I contracted for a long time. Sometimes contracts were extended. Sometimes they weren't and one contract was ended early as the incumbent came back from maternity leave.

It's a two-way street. If you were unhappy, you would give them notice and go.

I wouldn't worry about it too much. A lot of companies have a pretty poor attitude to their staff these days. I wouldn't waste too much energy thinking about it. It's their loss not yours!

DisrespectfulAdultFemale · 07/12/2018 09:52

OP, I'm sorry to hear the news but it sounds as though you've got a good attitude. With any luck 2019 will bring you something better.

lifebegins50 · 07/12/2018 09:54

Sometimes you may not be the right fit for a company especially if they are looking long term.

I hope the right door opens for you.

ShesABelter · 07/12/2018 10:03

My previous employed use to do this. They would get rid of people before the two years kicked in where they legally had more rights. NO temporary contract members of staff were renewed.

EdwardScissorskills · 07/12/2018 10:09

Despite his/her name, LegalEagle99 is talking rubbish. You’re an employee or you’re not, only employees with more than two years’ service can claim unfair dismissal (unless for one of the exceptions that doesn’t require two years), and if you are an employee you have one week’s notice per complete year of service as the statutory minimum - not three months!

dreamingofsun · 07/12/2018 10:12

this is happening a lot to permanent employees where i work in the current reorganisation. they are being interviewed for jobs they have done for several years plus and had good appraisals for but not passing the interview. hence not getting a role. just wanted to say you arent alone in this situation, and agree with those that say it does sound like madness

WhentheRabbitsWentWild · 07/12/2018 10:15

Oh bless you OP . What a time of year too

If its any consolation this happened to me too, twice .
First ever job (I was 17) , just under a year I had been there and they had to "let people go" . As I was last in I was first out but took it in my stride . I was young so went temping and got another full time job . Same thing happened . However they were moving from Vauxhall right up to Holloway too which would have been a mare of a journey but its upsetting . especially when its not due to your actual work.

Chin up and hope you sort something new .

ElideLochan · 07/12/2018 10:28

Surely a 2 year contract runs for 2 years?

MotherOfDragonite · 07/12/2018 10:39

I wouldn't worry about it. Sadly I suspect this has more to do with the employment rights you would acquire after two years than about your actual performance at interview or in the job! Make the most of the guilt they ought to be feeling and get great references :-)

OlennasWimple · 07/12/2018 10:41

I'm sorry OP - the timing sucks (although perhaps it will be easier to find something temporary to keep you going through Christmas?)

It sounds as if they want to end your employment before you start accruing the additional protections from having worked there for 2 years (in which case, you wouldn't want to work for them anyway)

ReanimatedSGB · 07/12/2018 10:45

Yup, that will be it. They are making stuff up so they can refuse to renew your contract beyond two years, because they don't want you to automatically get more rights.
They'll be on the phone after Christmas, having 'reconsidered'...

Mountainsoutofmolehills · 07/12/2018 11:07

a year from now you'll be in a better job. Go kiss your boss and say thanks, it's gonna be a great christmas with this news. Now forget those people and get your arse in gear for a new job. And get a better one :) Goodluck :)

ElideLochan · 07/12/2018 11:10

i think that it is bonkers that a fixed 2 year contract is not 'what it says on the tin'

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