Fired due to my personality

[Underyourthumb]

I started a new job 3 weeks ago and I thought all was going well until I got called into a meeting yesterday at 3pm. They told me that while I am pleasant and polite, I’m not very bubbly. This is a receptionist position in a dentist. One of the things that they said was “the girl we saw at the interview… we haven’t seen her since” l was trying not to get upset by this remark because I had no idea they felt this way and I thought all this time I WAS acting the same. I mean of course I’m going to be over the top and chatty and putting my best self out there at the interview because I’m trying to sell myself. But I am ALWAYS so happy and smiley and upbeat when patients come in. I have worked in customer service/hospitality and reception jobs for years and have always received such positive feedback regarding my demeanour and pleasantness so I am just so confused. They are saying they were hoping I would be more out there and bubbly and have a laugh with the patients. But I do try to do this with the ones who actually seem like they want to chat. Most of them don’t want to chat to the receptionist at the dentist… they just want to be checked in and take a seat. I’ve never been to a doctors or dentists where the reception team are the life and soul of the party and have chats with the patients.They have other things to be doing. I may ask them how their day is or if I’ve built a rapport with them already I might say “oh how’s your back now, are you feeling better since last time?” Etc.. I’m not miserable or anti social. But they want MORE. I am so so upset because it feels like such a personal attack on my personality rather than me not being good at the job. They don’t like me because of me and im trying not to let it hurt my feelings but it’s making me now second guess how I act. I’m definitely not bubbly and loud and outgoing, which it’s obviously what they’re after. But I can do the job well, and I am personable and friendly and professional and this is just a massive slap in the face. To lose my job over my personality is devastating!

Has anyone experienced this? How can I pick myself up? I feel like absolute shit about myself.

Well shot there! Totally agree with all you said.

They have done you a favour it’s not a nursery. A receptionist should be welcoming but proficiency, professional organised and smart is what a receptionist should be. What they are looking for is an entertainer it’s not a nursery it’s a dentist. Looks like you had a lucky escape you should be saying to them you’re disappointed at the least. Join an agency get some money under your belt until a permanent role comes up move forward onwards and upwards xxx

Leave a factual review of your employment there on Glassdoor

Except this is illegal, discrimination, unfair dismissal, bullying, and harassment of your character. You need to contact ACAS, OP - Don't let them get away with this. I would also be contacting the Ombudsmen and CAB. There is absolutely no way they should be enabled to get away with this. Don't let them treat you like this. Go in guns blazing! Ask them to show you their policy where it says "Lack of bubbly personality is instant dismissal." Ask them to send you a copy.

I'm furious for you, OP. Honestly, the amount of people I see this happening to on here and they don't know how to protect, or defend themselves against this happening; I want to round you all up and go through ACAS for you and wipe the floor with your employers.

Don’t be sad,
It’s a backhanded compliment.
What kind of dentist is all over TikTok unless it’s mainly turkey teeth and lip filler.
They sound very fake. Your demeanour was probably too professional for them.
Who wants bubbly when they’ve just had root canals 🙄.

You can also sue them for unlawful sacking, misleading advertising of a job, misrepresentation of job requirements, and definite discrimination if you feel it's because you did not want to be filmed. I am sure GDPR laws would have a lot to say about forced filming in the work place and staff confidentiality practice.

Yeah sounds to me more like they’ve decided you aren’t ‘bubbly’ enough because you aren’t keen on doing their stupid TikToks.

Honestly, as a nervous dental patient and someone who is a complete needlephobe, I’d want a receptionist who is pleasant, friendly, helpful and understanding. I would not want someone who was OTT chatty and trying to give me banter all the time. And I’m a VERY outgoing chatty person 99% of the time, just not when I’m at the dentists all anxious!

I want someone who is calming and friendly. Not someone cracking fucking jokes all the time and being so cheerful to the point of annoying. Your approach/personality sounds exactly like the kind of receptionist I’d want to deal with!

It’s shit because you don’t have a much of a leg to stand on legally because you’ve been there less than 2 years and are in probation. So they can fuck you off for any old reason at this point (been there many times myself!!).

I’d say you’ve had a lucky escape. If you feel like you have to be a performing seal everytime you go into work, then they’ve probably done you a favour. You can find somewhere that appreciates the people skills you have and doesn’t try to force TikToks on you.

When I go to the dentist all I want from the receptionist is that they log me in and leave me in peace. The last thing I want is someone trying to be bubbly and jolly. Your ex-employers are bonkers.

You're not in Leicester by any chance?

Cunts. Sounds like unfair dismissal tbh. I would be going to acas

That's specific. Why?

What @LemonGelato said.

If you can tie this to a protected characteristic then you may be able to make out a discrimination claim.

Acas run a helpline, although they can be hit and miss as to quality of advice / guidance. Many employment solicitors offer free initial consultations and if you have home insurance you might have a helpline and access to lawyers included under 'Legal Expenses Insurance'. Check out Google and your policy documents (if you have them).

Notwithstanding all that, as others have said: chin up, this is absolutely NOT about any so-called fault of yours, you're well shot of these people so try and see the positive in that and move onwards and upwards 🙏 very best of luck.

Sounds exhausting. I think you’ve dodged a bullet tbh.

I think the previous girl was obviously OTT and they are going to find it hard to replace her and realise their mistake by letting you go.

💐💐💐

I am so sorry you had this OP, they seem to want superficiality and putting it to you like that is pretty dismal.
But chin up and find something else.

I think of how GP receptionists are required to be 'angry matron' in their gatekeeping, now some dentists want more bubble?

They sound awful to work for OP! Like previous posters have said, I would be having a conversation with ACAS. Tbh if I saw dentists prattling around on TikTok, it would put me off going there!

I hope you find a better place to work soon, it sounds like you’re a great person with lots of experience for a lovely company!

Gosh, they sound absolutely awful. Think you've had a lucky escape there! And fwiw, 'bubbly' is the last personal attribute I want to encounter from people in customer-facing roles. (Well, okay, maybe not the last. 'Smelly' might be worse.) Competent, professional, effective, efficient, cordial. Those are what I want to meet. Sounds like your employers didn't have those attributes themselves, no wonder they might not value them in others.

I very much doubt that that is the real reason they have fired you even though they said that it was.

Has the job been re-advertised by any chance?

I can't stand bubbly folk. And in a dentist you want somebody calm, pleasant and polite. They sound nuts.

It's obviously unfair but if I were you, I'd think I had dodged a bullet. It's not you, it's them.
Trying to fight it will suck the life and soul out of you for probably nothing.
You'll find another job where your lovely NON BUBBLY personality will shine and you will feel comfortable.

@Underyourthumb wonder if the previous receptionist is coming back. Either way, though hurtful, sounds to me like you’ve had a lucky escape, although I know you are rightfully upset and feeling low. It’s not you - they want something different. I’d rather have someone like you, being efficient, polite and reading the room. I’m sure you will find a much better role.

I have never craved more bubbliness at the dentist's, ever!

Stupid A- holes! You've only been there 3 weeks, just settling in.
You really are better off out, they've no idea about managing staff that's clear. I can't help but think though there's another reason and they've created this half cocked excuse. Maybe they've overshot their budgets, nothing to do with you.
Don't take it personally, it really is them not you.

Was it an excuse for something else they didn't like? I only say this as my old employer hired a lovely girl who then started arriving stinking of BO. It was really bad and after two weeks he let her go (still on probation) saying he didn't think she was up to the job. Not saying you smell OP but could it be a lie on their part?

Bubbly indeed! What is this, Carry On Barbara Windsor or something! You’re better off out of there but I can understand it must be upsetting for you. I was told once at work that I wasn’t bubbly enough but this was in the 1970s when it was deemed ok to be sexist and rude. I just thought fuck em.

I bet it would have been a horrible, cliquey place to work. Forget them and move on.

This sounds ridiculous and very offensive. Who wants a busybody "bubbly" dental receptionist? I suggest there is more going on here and they are just making excuses. Maybe they have a relative or friend suddenly lined up for the post. Don't take it personally, you're probably well out of it.