Does this sound like I’m being fired?

[Sparkle2020]

In a new job (hospitality). Manager has asked me to come in in an hour to speak to him. My hours were cancelled this week from 35 hours to 7 (!!!!) and when I asked why (in my interview I was promised a 35 hour contract but my online contract says this can be more or less depending on their needs which I hadn’t realised), he said head office said they were over staffed too often.

So if you got a message saying come into work in an hour for a talk would you assume you’re being cut? I’m not the last in, which is why I’m confused because hospitality seems to be last in first out. Only been there a month though.

Unfortunately, yes. I would.

Hope it's OK OP but yes I would

I’m just so confused why they would pick me as I’m never late, I’m never hungover etc and 3 of my colleagues are either late every shift, hungover or drunk at work. I wouldn’t be confused if I was acting like that and got fired but I’m literally one of the few who acts normal in this place :/

Not necessarily. They might be letting you know it's unlikely to ever be 35 hours.

I'd quit and find a job with guaranteed hours. How do you budget on a fluctuating income.

What a pain. Try not to take it personally
If you think you’ve been working ok, it’s going to be because he’s cocked up his staffing, not because of anything you’ve done

A dismissal or redundancy (in my experience) is a two minute ‘can I just have a word?’ at the very end of the day! An hour seems long for that and if they haven’t said your can bring someone along with you’ then I’m not certain that’s the case.

I hope it’s something positive.

And if you are being fired , they are obviously idiots if they don’t realise the rest of the staff are making them criminally liable .

Oh sorry come in in an hour not for an hour.

If that’s the case - maybe they can’t get the hours - then hold your head high, ask about leaving date and payments and ask for a nice reference.

@SandyY2K luckily my partner has a steady income so it’s not so bad if I’m 25 hours one week and 40 the next etc, not great but not the end of the world. But I basically switched to this because in my interview I was told it was 35 hours set contract, and I’m on month 16 ttc so thought it would be a safe option to go from the place I was at before where I was on zero hour contract. But apparently not. I feel so stupid.

I imagine if it's a new job that the manager has just taken on too many people so is letting you know that they don't have the hours to give you. It doesn't reflect on you necessarily. I hope it goes well. I'd also recommend looking for something fixed.

@FreshOrangeClementine yes exactly. I don’t want to sound bitter to them but if this is the case would it be worth bringing that up and asking why me when other people are coming to work off their face etc?? Really would annoy me

@Lordfrontpaw yes if it’s not 35 hours and that’s all they’re telling me then that’s ok for now and I can just find something else but if they just cut me I’ll have no income for the next few weeks probably. Agh

It will be ok - you have bigger fish to fry. It’s not the only job in the world and certainly isn’t the best.

Oh god, I would have to dob the others in if you were fired and they weren't.

I hope it's good news for you, OP.

Thanks all! And @hollowtalk would you actually or do you think I’d sound like a bitter cow and make them less inclined to give me a good reference? I’m undecided

Wait and see before you jump in and say anything

Ever watch Frazier when bulldog things he’s going to be fired and goes into the big boss and lets rip?

So are you not meant to be there tonight but you are having to go in for a meeting? Surely they would wait until you are next due in?
Hopefully it's to discuss hours to work.
Good luck. Let us know how you get on.

It doesnt sound positive, but it may not automatically mean your being fired.

If you are then you need to understand exactly why. Then if the behaviour of the other staff are really so bad, tell them this. Then the balls in their court.

Did you not ask ? I mean how do
You know it’s worth the petrol, childcare etc

Right going in :/

I would say, "I have to say I'm surprised to hear you're firing me when I've been on time and have done a good job every shift, yet you're keeping people who do the opposite."

Nothing would affect your reference. They can't write a bad reference if you've worked well and been on time.

Have you told anyone who works there you are TTC? They might have got wind of it and trying to fire you before they have the hassle of you being sick, midwife appointments, mat pay etc

"I’m just so confused why they would pick me as I’m never late, I’m never hungover etc and 3 of my colleagues are either late every shift, hungover or drunk at work."

"And hollowtalk would you actually [dob the others in] or do you think I’d sound like a bitter cow and make them less inclined to give me a good reference?"
These days aren't references just confirmation that you were an employee, and the dates you were employed? I don't see how it could affect any reference this half-arsed outfit could issue to you.

If I were being fired I absolutely would ask what I had done that was so much worse than turning up late, hungover or drunk, as that seem to be tolerated? No need to name names, just point it out.

Does seem like it might be a negative meeting from what you’ve written. Are you on probation?