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Original poster

To wonder where I go from here? Just lost my job

93 replies

losttheways · 20/12/2018 13:16

I was fired yesterday. My boss is abroad on holiday, I thought he was so lovely and would at least tell you to your face. But no, he got a colleague to do it.

I've been let go. It just wasn't working out, I've been told.

I have no clue what to do. I feel so lost. How do I manage this?

Do people just take ANY job in this situation? I'm a PA, there aren't many of those roles around here. I'm learning to drive so I can't drive further afield yet. Public transport is rubbish here.

My baby is with a brilliant woman for his childminding needs. She's fab. I don't know what I'm going to do. I will have to double check the contract, but I suppose this means I'll be forking out money to pay her that we won't be benefiting from, since she probably has a notice period. I don't have the cash to do it. But I guess I'll have to find a way. He's coming on leaps and bounds since being there and is so social. Now he will be ripped away from his happy place.

Do I just suck it up and take any job that comes my way?

I'm so unbelievably shocked. I had a company car lined up, a very generous salary. Brand new work phone. And it's all gone down the drain. We now will have 0.

I honestly feel as if nothing will ever be good for me, not really. I had a good job lined up before this and that all fell through when the company decided they didn't have the funds to take me on.

Sorry, just need to rant at how unfair it all feels Sad

OP posts:
Original poster
losttheways · 20/12/2018 14:13

From what info you have given there doesn't seem to have been a reason until now, suddenly...So,..I'm wondering if you are attractive and his wife/partner has seen you..

I met her at the Christmas party but I doubt it's that, she seemed very nice!

rose I am based in Bedfordshire area

OP posts:
PattiStanger · 20/12/2018 14:21

If there was literally nothing for you to do isn't probable that the comments were about that? Would the other staff have noticed that you were being paid to essentially sit around, of course they'd talk about that.

From what you've posted it sounds a strange set up anyway, why would anyone employ a PA with a company car if there was no work for them?

Personally I'd take any job to get money in, worry about your CV once you can put food on the table.

Punto1 · 20/12/2018 14:22

It's not easy (and would frankly be stupid) to get a retail job. Nobody would employ the OP as she has no experience in retail.
OP, there are loads of jobs out there (don't know where Bedfordshire is), so you will find something again soon.
Relax over Christmas, nobody is realistically going to be interviewing until January, so just take a break, hope you have some savings in place.

BlueJay1 · 20/12/2018 14:58

Oh poor you. Really shitty situation.
As you were there only a short time I don't think you can appeal it / get legal advice. But make sure you get paid the time you worked and some notice if possible. Be assertive.

Don't take a retail job or something like that, just enjoy a couple of weeks off, then apply for things in Jan. Try not to worry. You will be fine.

Toughtips · 20/12/2018 15:08

Not true about noone taking her on in retail due to no experience. I took a retail job to fill a gap and I'm starting a new office role in Jan. I had no retail experience really.

I'm not surprised you've been let go though. It seems silly to hire someone to sit twiddling their thumbs. How long do you reckon you could of done that for and got away with it?

Not your fault there was nothing to do. Just poor staff management.

Id keep your childcare and ring some agencies and send out some CVs.

Cherries101 · 20/12/2018 15:11

Would you consider a PA job in central London? I might have one going in the new year if so.

CSIblonde · 20/12/2018 15:12

Sign on ASAP then look for work OP. Retail always wanted experience when I tried as a stop gap after redundancy. Is there much reception or secretarial temp work near you. Could you get train to a nearby town/city if you are very rural?

Sparklesocks · 20/12/2018 15:16

Really sorry OP that’s so shitty just before Xmas.
I’m a PA too and it can be a real ‘peaks and troughs’ role, but strange it was so bare - i wonder if it was just a quiet patch or if your predecessor had little on as well.
Echo other posters’ advice about signing up to agencies - there’s normally temp admin or receptionist work around which is still PA relevant if you’re worried about your CV, and there might be opportunities there.

AJPTaylor · 20/12/2018 15:20

Sign up with a temp agency.
Ask employer to pay you notice. Depends on your contract but you are entitled to a week at least

BrieAndChilli · 20/12/2018 15:28

this time last year we were told our company was going bankrupt and np pne was going to be paid. Within 2 days i had found a temping job as i was desperate. it was a 9 month contract. any how a year later i am now a permanent member of staff for the company i temped for, love this job and my colleagues.

so try and think positive and this time next year you could be in a really good place.

MRex · 20/12/2018 15:42

You should be able to pick up temporary office work. Sign with 10 or 15 agencies if you don't find something quickly. Be clear about the flexibility in roles you will do; admin, office manager or receptionist roles are much closer to PA roles than retail.

Regarding the current role, ask your manager directly if he will be a reference for you. Do not be shy about letting him know that you hadn't been aware of anything you'd done wrong but you're concerned about having such a short role on your CV, especially straight after maternity leave, so you'd appreciate his help. If you can't talk to him then ask HR there instead. Try to have a clear answer agreed and written on paper for why you lost this role e.g. "The manager didn't have enough PA work that needed to be done so unfortunately the company had a rethink after @losttheways already started and decided to give notice during the probation period. @losttheways worked from X to Y dates without absences and her manager was happy with her performance." That should be what they use for your reference and what you can refer to in your own words when you discuss it with agencies and at interviews. Good luck.

MRex · 20/12/2018 15:46

Also I'd really have thought they'll at least pay you until 4th Jan, it seems very unprofessional not to unless someone has committed gross misconduct. If they haven't agreed a pay-off period, ask for one and politely point out that they've ended your contract right before the bank holidays so there is no chance of you getting another role until the new year.

StormTreader · 20/12/2018 15:46

Sounds to me like his ego demanded he have a PA even though he didn't need one, and his request to be more "assertive" was really "be less friendly so that people don't realise you aren't doing much."

Was his last PA attractive, the one that moved to another country? Could he have had to hire a replacement so that people his wife didn't realise she just sat and looked pretty?

Possumfish · 20/12/2018 15:55

I'd sign on with some office temp agencies asap. There's alot if roles out there so be flexible :) Unfortunately Xmas retail would have been hired months ago and many will be let go come end of January.

Enb76 · 20/12/2018 16:09

Temp - if you are in London go to Angela Mortimer, I got the best PA jobs there.

beenandgoneandbackagain · 20/12/2018 16:23

Get your CV and go to as many agencies tomorrow as possible. This is a great time of year for temping, as people will be off sick with colds/flu and a lot of people moving around creating vacancies.

As a PA you will be able to do a lot of admin roles, and hopefully temp may lead to permanent.

Good luck.

Ollivander84 · 20/12/2018 17:04

I took anything I could - ended up as a full time care/support worker
Interviewed and applied while doing that. Been in my new job a year now Smile I lost my old job after a decade

CloudPop · 20/12/2018 17:11

Could you temp?

Jimmers · 20/12/2018 17:27

NHS use outsourcing for a lot of their transcription work now. Could be worth looking in to with your experience, even if just to tide you over? Try a company called DICT8 (UK based)

Original poster
losttheways · 20/12/2018 17:36

London is unfortunately not practical or doable for me Sad

I have applied for Dict8, thank you for that Jimmers.

I applied to lots of temp companies locally whilst I was still working in London prior to having my DS. I wanted something close by. Nobody ever got back to me at all BlushConfused

OP posts:
PookieDo · 20/12/2018 17:42

But you could apply to NHS professionals as I already suggested?

Innermess · 20/12/2018 17:44

Have a look on Indeed. There is a job going, now, for a research company (I don't think I can name them here) which involves working from home. They want people who have good communication skills and who present telephone surveys. You could get up to full time hours.

Like others have said, register with an agency. Having temporary jobs should not de-value a CV. Rather, it should show that you are resilient and you can work in a variety of contexts.

It sounds like the old employer rather over-estimated his workload.

Innermess · 20/12/2018 17:45

Sorry, that should be 'who can'.

Original poster
losttheways · 20/12/2018 17:52

But you could apply to NHS professionals as I already suggested?

Unfortunately I can't. They don't cover my location for Admin and clerical staff

OP posts:
PookieDo · 20/12/2018 17:52

OP you really need to find your fire. You can’t be too nice or passive about finding a job unfortunately. Use connections you already have - ring or email people you have worked with before, explain that the company hasn’t worked out with the role and that is all you need to say. Ask ask ask.

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