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Original poster

Might fail my probation

50 replies

Magicra84 · 20/01/2021 13:58

I have my probation today. For the first time in my working life I haven't settled in the job and I constantly doubt myself. My mental health has suffered. The CEO doesn't seem to like me and I might be getting the chop. If I do, can I claim universal credit? I'm really worried.

OP posts:
Sparklesocks · 20/01/2021 14:11

Try not to panic. Have they indicated to you that you may not? A lot of workplaces will give you feedback during your probation period or suggest if its going well or not - what have they said previously in that area?

Original poster
Magicra84 · 20/01/2021 14:19

The CEO is always very negative and says that we (the team) is not doing a good job. Guidance from management in the job is terrible. It's very poor and there is a lot of backstabbing from the management team to me and other junior staff members.

OP posts:
FlyingByTheSeatof · 20/01/2021 14:22

Yes you can claim UC straight away.

PomBearWithoutHerOFRS · 20/01/2021 14:23

Yes you can claim universal credit. You just give reason for leaving (If they even ask for specifics, they didn't me) as "trial position short term not continued at end of trial period".

Lookslikerainted · 20/01/2021 14:23

Good luck op

ThePricklySheep · 20/01/2021 14:23

Good luck.

If you don’t pass it, do you leave straight away? Is there anything you need to get sorted out now if that is the case? Expense claims or anything similar?

ClaudiaWankleman · 20/01/2021 14:25

Good luck.

I would think that if it's the whole team that is rubbish, and the circumstance that caused them to hire you still exists then they would keep you - as another hire would just cost more in terms of time spent training etc.

Original poster
Magicra84 · 20/01/2021 14:25

Thank you. That's a comfort to know.

Nothing is ever right in the CEOs eyes. In previous jobs I've done amazing. In this I seem to be constantly held back by her. The manager takes a massive back seat and barely comments on anything. He won't get involved in anything. If anything isn't right, the tiniest thing gets blown up massively. It's really poor.

OP posts:
Royalbloo · 20/01/2021 14:26

Sounds like you wouldn't really want to stay there much longer anyway? Sounds awful!

Royalbloo · 20/01/2021 14:26

They might be doing you a favour in the long run?

comedycentral · 20/01/2021 14:28

It sounds like a really tough environment to work in. Have you been job hunting?

Original poster
Magicra84 · 20/01/2021 14:38

Thanks for all your replies. I have been job hunting. This job has caused me to have several breakdowns since I started. You can think you're doing an amazing job there and then someone hits you down. The whole place is so unorganised. They sent me to WFH knowing I didn't have the correct technical equipment so trying to work without it and several meltdowns later, I am trying my best. It's probably not good enough. They took most of my workload off me when they made me WFH and gave me a very guided list of what to do. Micromanaging doesn't even begin to describe it.

OP posts:
MrsMoastyToasty · 20/01/2021 14:41

Put the ball back in their court if they decide to keep you on but extend the probation period.
Ask for training
Ask for feedback
Ask for an interim review

comedycentral · 20/01/2021 14:55

It sounds like they have really dented your confidence too.

Original poster
Magicra84 · 20/01/2021 14:58

They have @comedycentral. My best friend recently commented that I was unable to make decisions for myself and my personality has totally changed. I am now on anti depressants because of this job and regularly contemplate taking my own life. It's that bad. I get blamed for so much there.

OP posts:
Original poster
Magicra84 · 20/01/2021 15:00

I have sat up in the early hours and cried and cried because of depression. I wasn't like this before I started this job.

OP posts:
Alexandernevermind · 20/01/2021 15:02

Good luck.
What a horrible environment to work in.
I agree with @MrsMoastyToasty. Please don't forget employment is a two way contact. If you are unhappy you are as entitled to go to them with your grievances as they are to you. If you do stay there, think of it as a short term stop gap. Flowers

Dippysauceus · 20/01/2021 15:04

Yes you can claim UC straight away.

Do they realise the stress the job has caused you?

I actually left (my choice) a job after a probation period was messed around with - I was still able to claim UC, but my GP did write and say that I left on medical advice (which was correct, I was an absolute wreck by the time I left and it was making me seriously unwell).

Alexandernevermind · 20/01/2021 15:04

Sorry, your update crossed with my post.
If you were my daughter or sister I would want you to leave that place. Please speak to your GP and keep reaching out to people who care about you. X

CleverCatty · 20/01/2021 15:07

@Magicra84

Thanks for all your replies. I have been job hunting. This job has caused me to have several breakdowns since I started. You can think you're doing an amazing job there and then someone hits you down. The whole place is so unorganised. They sent me to WFH knowing I didn't have the correct technical equipment so trying to work without it and several meltdowns later, I am trying my best. It's probably not good enough. They took most of my workload off me when they made me WFH and gave me a very guided list of what to do. Micromanaging doesn't even begin to describe it.
You know what? There is no shame in leaving if that's what you want to do.

Having a CEO who you can never please and who also micromanages you are the worst things ever!

About 3 years ago I left a job to work as PA/Office Manager for a small architects, I had two interviews with them and the owner of the new firm seemed fine, totally normal etc.

When I started there he was the most sarcastic, moody, nasty person to work for ever. I found out his team had had to have a word with him in private as he kept shouting at them, a personal letter which came to his address (he shared a sort of home/work space but separated but both post got delivered there) showed he had appointments at the local mental health hospital. I'd be leaving his office which had a glass door and I'd say as I left, is that ok/fine? He'd snap back but not to my face 'No that's not fine' but in a moody/sarcastic way. He was also one of those bosses who loved to drink after work with you, felt it bonded you all, whereas he just came across as a drunk twat.

I also had, not so much breakdowns, but anger and crying fits. The part time bookkeeper who he employed at a similar time also found him impossible to work with and the previous person in the same role confided that he was hard to work for but was trying to be 'tactful', she'd also been his nanny at the same time.

When I left, quite suddenly but ensuring I got paid what I earned, I didn't even have another job to go to but knew I could get temping/contract work immediately and had savings.

I'd had a 'informal chat' with this man before I left but he was impossible to talk to as he seemed to change goalposts constantly etc. He'd do things like drunkenly call clients and insult them!

Honestly try to get a job but try to leave ASAP and I wouldn't worry about passing your probation!

CleverCatty · 20/01/2021 15:09

@Dippysauceus

Yes you can claim UC straight away.

Do they realise the stress the job has caused you?

I actually left (my choice) a job after a probation period was messed around with - I was still able to claim UC, but my GP did write and say that I left on medical advice (which was correct, I was an absolute wreck by the time I left and it was making me seriously unwell).

I should have done this in my job! Funnily enough when I left I had to get something from the company or return it to them - so had to deal with bosses second in command. Who was very sympathetic and apologetic to me as he probably realised what an arsehole his boss was to work for!
MsVestibule · 20/01/2021 15:12

Let's hope they don't keep you on, for your sake. If you resign, I don't think you can claim UC, but if they let you go, you can. Can you afford to live on UC for a while?

Christmasmum3 · 20/01/2021 15:12

Oh OP I feel for you! It's normally best practice for a company to extend a probation period and set some measurable objectives for the individual to meet instead of moving straight to terminating employment. If this was to happen, given It's having such an impact on your health, I would suggest you use the extension time to find a new job and resign. Reason for leaving for any future employer checks would then be resignation so would protect your career prospects.

Fingers crossed you are just being hard on yourself and you pass. You should still look for another job though as no job is worth your health.

Dippysauceus · 20/01/2021 15:13

@CleverCatty Yep - it was one of the best choices I have ever made.

Weirdly I had a bunch of people telling me I wouldn't be able to claim UC, but my GP says that is often not the case where there is a documented history of work related stress. She was really brilliant and basically typed out my resignation letter!

CleverCatty · 20/01/2021 15:16

[quote Dippysauceus]@CleverCatty Yep - it was one of the best choices I have ever made.

Weirdly I had a bunch of people telling me I wouldn't be able to claim UC, but my GP says that is often not the case where there is a documented history of work related stress. She was really brilliant and basically typed out my resignation letter![/quote]
I wish I'd done this sooner too!

I stayed 2 months at my job which was 2 months too long in my opinion but this man was pure evil and I wished I'd had the presence of mind to go to my GP with stress as he definitely made it worse.

Like you and the OP I was panicking about leaving, probation etc.