Page 2 | Might fail my probation

Magicra84 · 2021-01-20T13:58:36+00:00

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.

Crazydoglady1980 · 20/01/2021 15:25

I moved to a job where I didn’t feel that I could do right for doing wrong. It really does wear you down and can make you ill. In the 6 months I worked for that company, two people died from brain haemorrhages.
I took the first job I could find and left as quick as I could. The relief was overnight and I realised how much of an impact work had had on me. I suppose what I am saying is, don’t leave it too long before you go, even if they extend your probation. Somethings are just more important that work

Sparklesocks · 20/01/2021 15:29

As others said OP it doesn’t like a nice environment at all. Regardless of what happens with the probation I hope you find something better with nicer people soon.

ZaraTheWonderDog · 20/01/2021 15:36

I left a job during my probation - it wasn't quite as bad as yours sounds but it was extremely stressful and there was too much work for a part-time post, with no proper support, and poor communication between departments. I found out today that the person who was recruited to fill my post left after her first week!

It's not you, it's them, and I hope you find something else very soon.

Original poster

Magicra84 · 20/01/2021 15:44

Thank you for your replies. If I felt I could leave now and claim UC immediately I would. I have a feeling that UC wouldn't pay up though if you leave your job willingly. I feel I'm stuck. I'll keep applying for jobs though.

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mayonegg · 20/01/2021 16:27

Oh no my lovely, call your GP now and get signed off sick. I was in exactly the same situation a couple of years ago. I started at a company that was so awful for so many reasons I knew by the end of my first day I'd made a massive mistake.

By the time I'd been there six months I was like a completely different person with the stress of it, it was a field sales job and every single day I was trying to think up ways to make myself die. Looking back now it was like the stress of it - the micromanagement, the constant omnishambles and in particular working with quite a lot of people who were not nice at all had messed with my mind to the point I just couldn't think rationally and was spiralling very fast into a very dark place.

No job is worth feeling like you are feeling. Get signed off, and you can recover, take stock, apply for jobs and start feeling yourself again. My probation was 6 months and just before my probation review I went to the GP and got signed off with stress. I ended up signed off for a couple of months, spent the time recovering and looking for jobs, thankfully found one and handed my notice in first thing on my first day back.

It's only a part time job now and I have to be honest with you it's a struggle financially, but it just covers what I need to pay for (I have had to sacrifice the nice-to-haves) but leaving that job literally cured all those awful thoughts I'd been having and I started to begin to feel like myself again and I feel completely cured now.

If you get signed off you cannot get sacked or dismissed I believe (hopefully someone will correct me if this is wrong?), and it will buy you some time.

Please speak to your GP to get a letter, no job is worth how this is making you feel xx

Original poster

Magicra84 · 20/01/2021 16:34

Hello, thanks so much for your kind reply. I can't afford to go on statutory sick pay unfortunately or I'd get signed off in an instant. It's so messing with my head. I keep going dizzy and getting heart palpitations.

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Cuntitinthebin · 20/01/2021 16:41

When will you know?

Emeraldshamrock · 20/01/2021 16:46

Here's hoping you do. The place sounds awful an uncomfortable working environment. I felt like that in a job before they extended my probation for 3 months they were micro managing lunatics. I used the time to find another but didn't come off unaffected it was a horrible experience.

WitchesBritchesPumpkinPants · 20/01/2021 16:59

(((HUG)))

I know less than nothing about UC but surely someone can give you a definitive answer whether you can claim immediately if you *resign.

If not I'd be applying for any job I met most of the criteria for. Anything.

*i use the word loosely to describe telling them to stick their job where the sun don't shine!!

You need OUT of there, right now.

I'm glad you have a best friend to talk to - don't let the bastards (further) grind you down. You're worth SO much more 💐

HaveringWavering · 20/01/2021 18:55

When will they tell you? Did you have a meeting set up for today or is it just the last day according to your contract and you are expecting them to remember?

I hope you get the outcome that you need, and please talk to someone (eg Samaritans) about how you are feeling.

Enko · 20/01/2021 20:30

Its such a horrid feeling when your job is getting you down to that extend. Hope you know soon

relaxtakeiteasyeatcheese · 20/01/2021 21:15

Hope it has gone well for you today op x

Original poster

Magicra84 · 20/01/2021 21:22

Thank you for your replies. They postponed the probation meeting at the last minute til next week. My stomach is in knots. I honestly think they don't think I do much but I never stop. It's so hard. Nothing is ever good enough for them.

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Original poster

Magicra84 · 20/01/2021 21:24

I think statutory sick pay is less than £400 a month. Can this get topped up in any way? I can't live on sick pay but the job is making me ill.

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Original poster

Magicra84 · 27/01/2021 10:47

I have had my probation meeting and passed but it was horrific.

It was extremely negative and they don't think I've done anything since I started. I've worked my arse off and done so much unpaid overtime because I wanted to do my job well. It feels it was pointless. The meeting was soul destroying tbh. Every point I brought up as something I had wanted to talk about, it was turned back on me. I got the blame for everything! It was hell but hey, I'm still in a paid job. Thank you for all your replies 🙂

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CleverCatty · 27/01/2021 10:53

@Magicra84

I have had my probation meeting and passed but it was horrific.

It was extremely negative and they don't think I've done anything since I started. I've worked my arse off and done so much unpaid overtime because I wanted to do my job well. It feels it was pointless. The meeting was soul destroying tbh. Every point I brought up as something I had wanted to talk about, it was turned back on me. I got the blame for everything! It was hell but hey, I'm still in a paid job. Thank you for all your replies 🙂

Good to get an update.

To be honest, I know you say you're in a paid job but I'd look around for something else.

I've had similar in a role - same probation meeting and I was almost pleased that though I passed that meeting that I wasn't quite the right fit - stupid company owner obvs didn't know what he wanted or me when he interviewed me.

growinggreyer · 27/01/2021 10:57

They have said lots of negative things about you - but they still want you there, working so clearly they are not actually true. If you were sitting doing nothing you would have been let go. Keep looking around for something else and when you leave, you can go with a big smile on your face.

LIZS · 27/01/2021 11:01

Presumably the review included action points and targets among the negativity? If so focus on those. If not ask for how you can improve. It may be you are expending time and energy on what is perceived to be less important tasks, although you may consider otherwise.

Emeraldshamrock · 27/01/2021 11:01

@Magicra84 Please look for a different job reading your comments is reminding me of a job that ruined my confidence striving for acceptance when they were just cunts, we had 2 weeks training by a supervisor once it was over said supervisor pretended she never met you.
I said hello and she looked through me I should have listened to my instincts then as it got worse and worse.
It dragged me down for months after I left.

CleverCatty · 27/01/2021 11:04

[quote Emeraldshamrock]@Magicra84 Please look for a different job reading your comments is reminding me of a job that ruined my confidence striving for acceptance when they were just cunts, we had 2 weeks training by a supervisor once it was over said supervisor pretended she never met you.
I said hello and she looked through me I should have listened to my instincts then as it got worse and worse.
It dragged me down for months after I left.[/quote]
Totally agreed with you here! It's the fact that a job can ruin your confidence and make you doubt yourself that's the worst thing.

Also agree that this can drag you down for months after you leave - mine did too, career sort of recovered but definitely felt I'd had an undeserved kicking from my ex-boss.

Original poster

Magicra84 · 27/01/2021 14:41

Thank you for your comments. It has worn me down so much. I really hope I can find another job to tide me over. Every single point I brought up about their lack of management skills was totally turned back on me. They're evil.

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Original poster

Magicra84 · 27/01/2021 15:23

I rang the universal credit to enquire if I left my job because it's too stressful would I be able to claim universal credit and the advisor said I'd have problems claiming because I left my job voluntarily. I'm stuck in this job

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CleverCatty · 27/01/2021 15:28

@Magicra84

I rang the universal credit to enquire if I left my job because it's too stressful would I be able to claim universal credit and the advisor said I'd have problems claiming because I left my job voluntarily. I'm stuck in this job

The best advice I'd give you now - try to find another job but don't panic, if you can do that.

Don't let them get to you now, carry on doing your job correctly.

You might want to try Cognitive Behavioural Therapy as when I was being bullied at work (another job!) I saw a therapist (I don't think you need therapy) but the CBT side of it gave me some excellent visual techniques which I used, successfully in work.

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

Original poster

Magicra84 · 27/01/2021 15:58

Thank you for your reply @CleverCatty. I really despise them all now. They blame me for everything. Even situations that are impossible to blame me for! I so wish I could've left and claimed UC for a bit til I find a new job.

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CleverCatty · 27/01/2021 16:13

@Magicra84

Thank you for your reply *@CleverCatty*. I really despise them all now. They blame me for everything. Even situations that are impossible to blame me for! I so wish I could've left and claimed UC for a bit til I find a new job.

Oh no! That sounds similar to my old boss (not the bully place).

He was starting to try to blame me for things going wrong which weren't my fault at all (how can 2 months into a job be me causing issues?!).

I was relieved and lucky as the part time book-keeper there who joined at a similar time wanted to leave too and knew what a tosser my boss was.

Depending on your situation you could see if there are contracts in temping around, rather than a permanent job. Remember that people tend to leave jobs/look around at this time of year and in the spring so get into a few agencies, linked in, and job hunt on sites etc. You can do it, you come across as a good employee from your posts here so far, it is not your fault you have a company to work for who are not nice or professional. In your probation period (and after) they should be helping you settle into the role and grow, not picking at whatever you do, so you want to leave.