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Original poster

My boss wants a one to one over lunch, is this bad news?

73 replies

Concestor · 02/03/2023 21:16

I do a part time job based at home mostly, where I work pretty independently. My boss has always said she's really happy with me but I've noticed since Christmas that I haven't been getting the usual meeting links I used to.

Boss has been really busy and not really replying to emails due to some urgent issues she's had to deal with (not just me, no one is ready getting replies) so I mentioned it to a colleague and they were unusually vague - "oh I think the new series of links haven't been set up" but I know these meetings have to happen regularly so I can't believe they aren't being held.

Am I right to think that this lunch is going to be me getting my matching orders?

I'm gutted if so, I love this job and I just have up another job I do to ensure I have time available for this one.

There's no date set for the lunch and now I just feel really anxious and worried.

What could I do proactively to find out what's going on? We have a team day soon so we will all be together to plan next year's workplan.

OP posts:
pizzaHeart · 02/03/2023 21:17

Ask her about meeting links?

TheFlis12345 · 02/03/2023 21:18

If she was going to give you the boot she’s unlikely to choose a public place to do it! Have more faith in yourself, sounds like she wants it to be a positive meeting.

zurala · 02/03/2023 21:24

TheFlis12345 · 02/03/2023 21:18

If she was going to give you the boot she’s unlikely to choose a public place to do it! Have more faith in yourself, sounds like she wants it to be a positive meeting.

The only time I've ever been sacked they took me to a public place to do it, which is why I'm wondering.

zurala · 02/03/2023 21:25

pizzaHeart · 02/03/2023 21:17

Ask her about meeting links?

I explained in the OP, she isn't replying to emails, and my colleagues are being weirdly vague about it. They are all full time, there's only me part time.
I guess I could ask at the team day, but then everyone will be there and I'll feel embarrassed.

MichaelFabricantWig · 02/03/2023 21:28

How unsettling OP and how rubbish to have no date set so you’re fretting. Hope it’s not what you fear

OakElmAsh · 02/03/2023 21:28

If you're getting marching orders based on performance, in any decent company, you should have had plenty of warning and time to fix whatever is wrong.

Sounds to me more like your boss might be leaving or changing roles

cocksstrideintheevening · 02/03/2023 21:31

You don't get sacked without warning, and definitley not over lunch!

declutteringmymind · 02/03/2023 21:32

I'd be wary. Say nothing at lunch and just listen. Might be worth joining a trade union.

SleepyRooster · 02/03/2023 21:37

Bosses don't fire you over lunch.

bonjello · 02/03/2023 21:39

zurala · 02/03/2023 21:24

The only time I've ever been sacked they took me to a public place to do it, which is why I'm wondering.

Show quote history

They did?! That's awful

Aquamarine1029 · 02/03/2023 21:42

It would be so, so awkward and bizarre for them to fire you over lunch. That makes no sense at all.

Yellowdays · 02/03/2023 21:48

It would be unprofessional to fire you over lunch. I very much doubt that would happen.

UsherBobble · 02/03/2023 21:49

Could it be to possibly ask you to go full time?

WinginItBadly · 02/03/2023 21:50

Why don't you email and ask?

zurala · 02/03/2023 21:50

bonjello · 02/03/2023 21:39

They did?! That's awful

Show quote history

Yeah, it was horrible, she waited till we were about to leave then told me. So it's made me wary!
But it sounds like that was really unusual and unlikely to be the case here which is reassuring.
I do get anxiety so I'm not good with not knowing what she wants to talk to me about. Maybe I'll have to just ask.

JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn · 02/03/2023 21:51

I've been taken for lunch in a public place and fired too. Utterly disgraceful. No warning. No reason. Other than a new boss wanted to give his mate my job. I took them to the cleaners.

JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn · 02/03/2023 21:52

It's not fair to leave you worrying. Ask for a date, time and agenda for the meeting.

macbooks · 02/03/2023 21:52

What makes you think you will be fired? It seems like it’s a bit of a jump.

zurala · 02/03/2023 21:52

WinginItBadly · 02/03/2023 21:50

Why don't you email and ask?

She's not replying to emails at the moment. I did say that.

macbooks · 02/03/2023 21:53

Personally I have never been fired but have worked on the other end in management/HR. Being fired is usually a formal process that involves a paper trail, not a lunch date

zurala · 02/03/2023 21:53

UsherBobble · 02/03/2023 21:49

Could it be to possibly ask you to go full time?

I doubt it but it could be to increase my hours maybe, she knows I'd like to expand the role.

zurala · 02/03/2023 21:54

JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn · 02/03/2023 21:51

I've been taken for lunch in a public place and fired too. Utterly disgraceful. No warning. No reason. Other than a new boss wanted to give his mate my job. I took them to the cleaners.

Yeah it's shit isn't it. I guess there's no good way to be fired but the juxtaposition of being taken out then getting booted is just awful.

SirGawain · 02/03/2023 21:54

I understand that in the armed forces when an officer is to be disciplined, they are invited to a meeting with a senior officer. This is known as a interview without coffee. It's unlikely that she would want to have lunch with you if the she was going to sack you or even discuss your shortcomings.

NCSQ · 02/03/2023 21:55

In my workplace lunch with the boss is normal. If you wfh she might just want to catch up in person.

OR

It sounds to me like things are slipping her end, so maybe she has decided to leave.

zurala · 02/03/2023 21:55

macbooks · 02/03/2023 21:52

What makes you think you will be fired? It seems like it’s a bit of a jump.

Because I'm not being included in meetings and I can't work out why. And my colleagues are being a bit cagey. And because I do worry about stuff.

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