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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think I shouldn’t have to remove this from my portfolio?

74 replies

BuckysArm · 26/03/2021 12:11

I just learned that a campaign I created, led, managed etc has been nominated for an award. I’m so pleased for the whole team, they all deserve it.

It’s already in my portfolio (approved when I was terminated) so really it would be a case of adding the award nomination/win if it gets it into the details. As simple as that.

But I’ve just had a phone call from my ex Director to 1. Tell me this news and 2. To let me know he’s so proud of the work I did and the shape I left the team in but it’s very awkward for the CEO as everyone thinks the new manager masterminded the whole thing and that I had no part in it as I’d been put on ‘low level duties’ before leaving (why I’m being talked about like that is beyond me and I’d rather not have known) so he wanted to let me know (apologetically) that I am now forbidden to include the entire project in my portfolio let alone mention the award nomination in anything/tell any prospective employers etc.

I did point out that it’s not like they’ve been nominated for something that is going to change the business, it’s just a nice recognition for the team and this seems like a bizarre overreaction.

And to avoid drip feeding later in, I was fired without my director’s knowledge while he was on holiday and I’d been there just shy of two years so nothing I could do. All hell broke loose when he came back to find out.

WIBU to just keep it in my private portfolio (as opposed to public) and still use it as an example in interviews etc? Surely they can’t actually take it away from me as something I can use as an answer? They’ve taken enough away from me as it is. Perhaps an email to HR to get some clarity?

Also, there’s no NDA at play here.

OP posts:

Bells3032 · 26/03/2021 12:14

Do you have it in writing when you left that they agreed you could use it in your portfolio? If so they can't just go back and change their minds later on.

Something weird is going on there.....

Original poster

BuckysArm · 26/03/2021 12:17

Yes, I have it in writing that I am allowed to use everything I created in my portfolio. And I agree something very weird is going on, but my final three months there were very weird.

It just seems like such a weird thing to trigger this. It’s a nice recognition from a major publication but it’s nothing that’s actually going to be of any long or short term financial benefit, or increase brand recognition. More, a nice certificate that can be in the office.

I don’t have to remove anything else either.

OP posts:

alanpartridgefromtheoasthouse · 26/03/2021 12:17

I would be telling them where to shove it. Or just nod and smile and keep using it anyway. Would they find out?

WeatherwaxOn · 26/03/2021 12:19

Tell them to do one. You have it in writing that you can use it.

Original poster

BuckysArm · 26/03/2021 12:24

No, I don’t think they’d find out. I’ve already removed it from my website portfolio to keep the peace but not the one I send out directly.

My only worry is if I mentioned it in an interview and it came up in a reference check?

OP posts:

Shamoo · 26/03/2021 12:25

If you have it in writing that you can use it, and they haven’t sent you anything in writing changing that position, I would stay quiet and carry on with it in your private portfolio to be honest OP. Don’t follow up with HR etc unless they send you anything in writing. If they own the IP they probably could withdraw the consent, so don’t poke the situation unless you need to.

LolaButt · 26/03/2021 12:27

If there are no restrictive covenants in your employment contract and no other contractual documents, then ignore them and carry on with what you’re doing.

LolaButt · 26/03/2021 12:28

Reference checks for most corporate companies are confirmation of dates of employment and reason for leaving. A lot of companies won’t provide reason for leaving though.

SimplyMarvellousDarrrrrrling · 26/03/2021 12:31

Bloody use it. It's your hard work that went into it
Whatever strange dynamics are going on in their business is nothing to do with you and you shouldn't be complicit in allowing it to continue

MimiSunshine · 26/03/2021 12:33

In all honesty I would send an email into them all, Director, CEO and HR ( I may even accidentally add a member of the team who just so happens to have a name starting with the same letter as one of the above).

Keep it super polite but say that as per the agreement in the attached email you will not be removing any reference to x project from your portfolio.
You are really pleased for the team and the business that they are getting this recognition, they really deserve it (blah blah blah) but you also worked hard as the lead who created and managed it and even without the news of the award you were very proud Your work there.

You are aware that for some reason it’s being inaccurately positioned as your replacements project hence why the request to remove it from your portfolio but you want to make clear that you wouldn’t expect to be invited to the awards night / zoom event or to collect it [basically intentionally misinterpret why they’re rewriting history] and you wish them lots of luck.

Best wishes

Bucky

Woodlandbelle · 26/03/2021 12:34

I would get legal clarification on this. It's your work and you deserve the recognition.

Brefugee · 26/03/2021 12:37

you have it in writing that you can include it? I'd put it back on my website too.

Mylovelyhorsee · 26/03/2021 12:40

I can’t see how it would come up in a reference check? Also this situation sounds very weird! What happened there op?

bitheby · 26/03/2021 12:41

Speak to ACAS for advice?

PursuingProxemicExactitude · 26/03/2021 12:46

it’s very awkward for the CEO as everyone thinks the new manager masterminded the whole thing and that I had no part in it as I’d been put on ‘low level duties’ before leaving (why I’m being talked about like that is beyond me and I’d rather not have known)

It is very concerning that your reputation is being traduced like this. You need to know what's going on, and you need it to be rectified.

I really hope you're going to seek legal advice before doing anything else.

minniemoocher · 26/03/2021 12:50

If you have it in writing do not delete from your portfolio!

zzzebra · 26/03/2021 12:54

Instead of completely removing it from your website can you just password protect the page and send the password out with your CV?

Also I'd make sure that in the portfolio it is very clear what your role on the project was and who else was involved.

I just make sure I state things like 'while working as part of a team at...', 'photography by...', 'copy by...', 'created in collaboration with...'

I've had problems with junior members of my team putting work in their portfolio but not being clear than they only actually did 10% of the work they've shown, if that.

This does sometime times come out at the reference stage if I'm asked what their involvement was in X project. However, with more senior staff I don't think I've ever been asked about specific projects.

katy1213 · 26/03/2021 12:56

'Very awkward for the CEO' is hardly your problem any more!

PattyPan · 26/03/2021 12:58

Keep it in your portfolio! If you have it in writing I would keep it on your website too. It’s your work and you have the proof of that. Have you spoken to any of the team members to find out what they think is going on? Presumably they remember you leading it so they must be confused too.

Viviennemary · 26/03/2021 12:58

Just use it. And let them sue you. They won't.

ginnybag · 26/03/2021 13:02

Why are you doing favours for a company that sacked you and are trying to damage your working history and a former boss that did nothing to fight for you?

Stand up for yourself. It was your work, you have it in writing, so take the credit.

UsedUpUsername · 26/03/2021 13:06

@ginnybag

Why are you doing favours for a company that sacked you and are trying to damage your working history and a former boss that did nothing to fight for you?

Stand up for yourself. It was your work, you have it in writing, so take the credit.

this was my thought

PattyPan · 26/03/2021 13:08

@ginnybag I completely agree!

MrsPaddyGrant · 26/03/2021 13:10

If there was no NDA and no restrictive covenants or intellectual property clauses in your contract (just double check that) then you have every right to use it to demonstrate your skills.

I'd go back to the manager and say on reflection you aren't happy that they are asking you as an ex employee to lie about one of your achievements and you will continue to use it in your CV etc. If you don't have a contractual clause then there is little they can do. However depending on how small the industry and network is maybe worth considering if its worth the hassle if you have other examples you could use

Also - as someone said above - a reference wont go into the level of detail to ask re a specific piece of work - its normally just job title, dates employed and reason for leaving.

TheGumption · 26/03/2021 13:14

Why didn't the director take you back when he came home? Or didn't you want to go back?

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