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Original poster

DP sacked - handhold please

106 replies

Springbluebell · 13/03/2023 17:02

I need a handhold really.

DP has just been sacked. We both live with our respective parents, he moved back a few months ago after tenancy ended and I used to rent but COVID ruined my life and I still haven’t financially recovered and had to move back.

His boss is horrible, I know him personally. He has always picked on DP despite him trying his best. Owners of the company visit and often commend his work which makes his boss very irate. It isn’t even in DPs nature to argue back or fan the flames of conflict. Today stemmed from DP completing his list of tasks early, his boss complained things that weren’t on the list weren’t done. DP pointed out they were not on his tasks and his boss blew up as he usually does and sacked him.

We have been working so hard, we were finally going to be able to have enough to rent in a few months and have a home to call our own again. I suffer from mental health conditions as does he but we both make sure we get up and go to work and try to claw our way out of a bad position mentally and with our housing situations as we both have extremely toxic and abusive family. I am only able to work part time and his job was paid well enough especially for his field of work.

I’m just heartbroken, in shock and I feel sick. He will find work again but this will set us back for months. I’m so tired of setbacks in life. I feel desperately sad for my DP. I know this is going to be so difficult for him, not to mention his family will blame him and kick him while down.

Just looking for some support. I’m on my way to meet DP now

OP posts:
BurntOutGirl · 13/03/2023 17:12

How long has he worked there?

What are the company policies in regards to terminating employment?

Twizbe · 13/03/2023 17:14

Where do you live and how long has he been employed for? What type of contract is he on?

In general you can't just fire someone in the UK. There are exceptions to this and the answers to the questions will show if he has a case here.

It would be worth talking to citizens advice about this to get more information based on your circumstances.

In the short term. Let him rant and be angry and feel the feels today. Don't do anything yet.

In the morning start looking for a new job.

Emmamoo89 · 13/03/2023 17:16

Heres a handhold x

Crucible · 13/03/2023 17:19

Double handhold from me. That is shitty. I hate lousy bully bosses. Keep on keeping on. X

Original poster
Springbluebell · 13/03/2023 17:30

He’s worked there less than 2 years.

they’ve also said he isn’t eligible to have his holiday pay he hasn’t taken because he’s been terminated?

OP posts:
determinedtomakethiswork · 13/03/2023 17:32

Why can't you work full time?

MarieRoseMarie · 13/03/2023 17:34

Springbluebell · 13/03/2023 17:30

He’s worked there less than 2 years.

they’ve also said he isn’t eligible to have his holiday pay he hasn’t taken because he’s been terminated?

This isn’t true.

Call ACAS now and get support.

Undecidedandtorn · 13/03/2023 17:34

He is entitled to his holiday pay and his notice pay as well. You/him could contact ACAS for advice

CiderJolly · 13/03/2023 17:34

In the long run, it sounds like this might be a blessing in disguise.

MissingMoominMamma · 13/03/2023 17:36

I’m pretty sure that any holiday pay already accrued should be paid.

Has he had verbal and written warnings prior to this?

Are you absolutely sure his version of events is correct?

Qantaqa · 13/03/2023 17:38

Springbluebell · 13/03/2023 17:30

He’s worked there less than 2 years.

they’ve also said he isn’t eligible to have his holiday pay he hasn’t taken because he’s been terminated?

He absolutely is entitled to any holiday pay he has accrued during the holiday year. However that isn't the same as a full years holiday.

There is a calculator on the government website which will tell you what he's entitled to in terms of holidays but assuming holiday year Jan - December and he's full time at minimum holiday that's
28/12x2 = 4.66666 less any bank hols and holidays he's taken.
If holiday year is April to March he'd be entitled to
28/12x11 = 25.66666 less any bank hols and holidays.

I would have thought he'd still be entitled to have them follow any disciplinary process rather than just sacked on the spot but if he's been there less than 2 years he'll be limited in any real comeback.

holierthanthou73 · 13/03/2023 17:38

It doesn’t sound like he is telling you the full story

chocolateisavegetable · 13/03/2023 17:38

Happy to donate a handhold and second the suggestion to contact ACAS

Qantaqa · 13/03/2023 17:39

Absolutely worth contacting ACAS though.

Kamia · 13/03/2023 18:02

It seems like a blessing in disguise. It seemed like a toxic place to work and if your partner is dealing with MH issues not a great place for that. Hopefully he will find something so much better with better pay and benefits.

Escapingafter50years · 13/03/2023 18:04

Sorry to hear this OP. I wonder has he any way of contacting the owners? If they're happy with his work they may not be so happy with the decision of your DP's boss and may be able to offer him an alternative position? I appreciate he probably doesn't want to continue with the existing boss but even continuing short-term might be better than nothing? Or the owners may have other businesses.

LumpyandBumps · 13/03/2023 18:06

That is a real shame for you both.
I mean this nicely, but if this had to happen it is better now than in a few months time when you might have had the huge financial commitment of a tenancy.
I hope he gets a new job soon and your plans aren’t delayed too much.

adriftindenofvipers · 13/03/2023 18:08

What size of company? Does it have policies/procedures/HR?

If the owners of the company value his work, maybe some mileage there? Could it be that bully manager has overstepped the mark?

Porkandbeans1 · 13/03/2023 18:10

You've had some great advice so far.

I know it feels terrible right now but honestly I think you are both very lucky. Many don't have family to fall back on and would end up homeless. If you had already taken on a rental contract you could have ended up in significant amounts of debt. If it means he ends up in a more secure job that he enjoys then it could be for the best.

mumwon · 13/03/2023 18:11

@holierthanthou73 real empathy not....some bosses do try it on and break rules and get caught out.
In my dh case: many moons ago, he had been working for a company just over 2 years and had an appointment to go into hospital for a serious operation. he told them 2 weeks before and was given 2 weeks notice,
We wear completely at a loss (it was a very serious operation) and didn't know what to do coincidentally (thank goodness) we had a appointment with our financial advisor who told me to make an appointment with a solicitor and look up for expert in work laws on the law society website. i found one who did half hour advice who though he shouldn't have wrote me a letter there and than to type and get my husband to take into work (basically I typed it and got him to sign it).
The result was not only did they have to pay him several months sickness benefit but holiday etc and it helped other people who they decided to do this to at the same time.
I was having kittens because if we hadn't of done this sickness benefit wouldn't start until we could confirm he was having the operation that day (yep that was what I was told when I rang them up ...basically they expected my dh to ring them up after his operations.
The other rule this company would have broken was that they also needed to do a consultation before making these redundancies
Dh is a very reserved man so it took a lot for him to take this letter in to confront them but he was very pleased it worked especially when his bitch of a boss had to make an apology to him. One of the other managers whose worker was also affected thanked him for doing this.

It was too much of a coincidence literally the day after he took the letter in -just they could avoid paying sickness benefit.
I really second getting advice and I would also suggest he talk to HR or sending a polite letter informing his next up boss
You don't get what you don't ask for
Please tell him regardless of above this might be a blessing in disguise in the long run as he might get a better job

TeenLifeMum · 13/03/2023 18:11

Look at it as good timing; both living at home and an opportunity to find employment with a better employer.

Ivortheenginelover · 13/03/2023 18:13

So sorry to hear this. My DH was sacked by a vicious bastard manager in June and I am still full of rage at the injustice of it. Is your DP in a union? If not please get him to join one in his next job - they can defend you and represent you when horrendous things happen. Best wishes for the future, you don't deserve this nightmare. Things will get better, try to focus on the future as much as you can.

Pointeless · 13/03/2023 18:16

Ugh, what an arseache op, sometimes life just won't give you a break from it's shit will it ☹️ I know it will be hard to see now, but from the outside it sounds like this could be an opportunity... Yeah getting fired is rubbish and I'm sure lots of other posters will advise on that, but it sounds like being shot of this arsehole of a boss could be a great thing in the long run? You say it puts you back a few months, but those few months will hopefully see you in a better position. Good luck you both x

Cocobutt · 13/03/2023 18:19

His boss is horrible, I know him personally. He has always picked on DP despite him trying his best.

It sounds like a blessing in disguise.
He should have left ages ago if the boss has been picking on him.

You are both in a fortunate position in that you both live with family and so it had happened at a good time.

Now you need to get a full time job and he needs to do agency work until he finds something permanent.

VictorStrand · 13/03/2023 18:21

No reputable company would sack someone for completing their tasks early. So either this is a disreputable company or there is a bigger story. Seek advice as PPs have outlined - union, ACAS - even CAB for advice on benefits until he can get a new job.

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