AIBU to think that I can't succeed in the workplace?

[Maypoledance]

I have name changed for this because I feel so embarrassed.
A couple of weeks ago I was called into my boss's office and told I could resign quietly or they would start disciplinary action against me on the grounds of capability. This was a complete shock and totally unexpected. This was a relatively new job for which I had retrained. I had not been doing anything without supervision, although I had been concerned that the level of supervision I was receiving was not adequate but had not said anything. I had got the impression that when they hired me they made a mistake in assuming that because I was older than someone who would normally be doing such a junior role that I would be able to "hit the ground running" (their words) which I wasn't able to do because I hadn't got the experience.
I decided to resign quietly as that way I would at least have a reference. I took the view that they had decided to get rid of me and would find "grounds" if they wanted to.
This has really knocked my confidence. The reason I had retrained is that I never felt I was any good at my previous career, though at least I hadn't ever been fired!
I think I am probably too passive. I feel that I can't succeed in the workplace. I would like to get another job but feel that I am doing something wrong and that until I identify what it is I will never succeed. Does anyone have any advice?

Yes they paid me for my notice period (2 months) and they paid me in full for the month in which I "resigned".

Thanks for all the responses. I did think that they had acted poorly. Do be honest it wasn't a good place to work. At least I can enjoy this lovely weather and hopefully find a better place to work in the future!

What I meant to say is that your responses have made me feel much better and that my instinct that they had acted very unprofessionally was correct. Thank you.

Just to add to the other posters that this sounds highly dubious - oh and not to mention illegal? You can't just have someone in your office and say best resign or else we will pretty much fire you on the grounds on capability! Is that not constructive dismissal? Small company or not there are some procedures that need to be followed including documentation and other meetings outlining the problem, setting new objectives a and a chance for you to turn it around. Agree if someone wants you out they'll make a way/life difficult but that isn't the way to do it.

Sounds like you're better off so don't take it to heart :). GL in your next role - you'll be fab :)

yes I think it probably could count as constructive dismissal. They basically said "resign or we will start capability proceedings at the end of which you will probably be dismissed".
Still I couldn't face a tribunal and anyway wouldn't be worth it as I wasn't well paid and hadn't been there long.

I agree with everyone saying don't lose your confidence over this. When I was younger and temping I worked for a well known private sector employer and just didn't 'click'. I still can't tell you what it was about the place but the bit about it being like they were speaking a different language really rings a bell with me. I didn't realise how unhappy I was there until they suggested it may be best if I worked somewhere else but it was like a weight had been lifted and my next temping assignment was at a lovely office.

I've never felt like that anywhere else and my first permanent job I stayed at for years after that and was very successful at. The exact same situation as yours came up though where they wanted someone to set up a new service, employed someone at a low salary and expected way more from them than she had ever said she could give in interview. She ended up leaving and getting a much better job and I still keep in touch with her. It was absolutely nothing to do with her and everything to do with the incompetent managers who had no idea about employment law or how to keep staff.

What you describe looks like very strong grounds for constructive/unfair dismissal (although I appreciate this is not something you wish to pursue). Don't take it personally, Maypole. Your employer behaved shabbily and unprofessionally. What they should have done was talk through any issues and provide the necessary guidance and training to meet the required standards, as well as providing suitable timescales for this to happen. That said, it does sound like the (vague) reasons given to you may have been a pretext. Please don't let this experience affect your search for a more suitable job/organisation.

Yes it sounds extremely dodgy, and a potential constructive dismissal case. You were effectively bullied out of your job, I am glad that you still got some payout but that doesn't alter that you were deprived of your livelihood.

To state that 'you will probably be dismissed' following capability proceedings was totally inappropriate... the whole point of such proceedings is that the outcome is completely open, they should examine the facts and only then decide on appropriate outcome and actions......instead their statement indicated that the outcome (dismissal) was a foregone conclusion.

If no performance issues were ever documented (during probation period/performance reviews?) their position is all the weaker. I suspect they know their position is untenable because they mishandled things so poorly so dismissed you to make the 'situation' go away.

You must do what is right for you, you have decided not to pursue this further & move on with your life, and that's great. It is enough to know that you could pursue it if you had chosen to because THEY are in the wrong, not you. So: don't let this shake your confidence, hold your head up high and you will find a new role in a more deserving company