I’m about to be dismissed

[Firedgirl]

I’m in an unusual situation that I know that on Friday next week, I am going to be dismissed. I found out accidentally and they don’t know that I know. Everyone is behaving pretty normally and seems happy. and I’m expected to go in tomorrow and behave normally and get on with my work and hold meetings etc. I’m likely to be dismissed with immediate effect (pay in lieu of notice). I will be removed from the building immediately once they tell me due to security/information etc.

I’ve been at my company for over a year but less than 2 so it’s not really redundancy I guess. Nothing wrong with my work or performance it’s just like redundancy but since I’ve not been there two years I don’t really have those rights. I actually just got a payrise too!

anyone else been in this position? How on earth am I going to behave normally?! Any tips for what I need to ask when they “break the news” to me?

Do you need to go in? Can’t you be sick?

How do you know? Are you sure? Unless you have personal items I would not go in just job search instead

Professionally speaking, tell them that you know. Apply for other jobs in the meantime. It’s not personal and nothing against you, times are hard. Don’t do anything that would risk being fired for cause or would risk your reference.

I’m sorry this is happening, good luck with the job hunt.

How on earth did you find that out?

You could ring ACAS but I think if it’s been less than two years employment then there is not much you can do. I’d try to ensure I would get a good reference though so be careful do how you react.

You’re a saint to even be thinking of going in.

I’d be phoning in sick, getting LinkedIn up to date, trying new recipes, going for nice walks and picking up that new book I got for Xmas.

How did you find out? I'd struggle to go in and act 'normally'.

Can you preempt them on Monday morning and let them know you know. That way you don't have to go through the whole week?

Oh how awkward, I hope you're not too upset.

Do you need to go in? Could you get a doctors note to be off sick this week and spend the time brushing up your CV and applying for other jobs? If they are planning to pull the rug out from under you, I'd be inclined to pull it right back out from under them instead!

You don't owe them anything, think of your own best interests now.

Good luck.

How did you find out? Is it performance related?

I’d go in, but only because they may not pay you if you go sick. Make sure they are going to give you a good reference

No need to phone in sick.

Go in, get your bits together, tell them you know and they'll dismiss you there and then.

Horrible situation OP. Good luck with hunting for a new job

Op you seem very confused about employment law. Assuming you're in the UK. A job/role is made redundant, a person is not. You can be fired (what for? Down sizing? Company restructuring etc, performance) but the two are not the same.

And the 2 year element is for bringing about a constructive dismissal case, but again, it's more complicated because if you've been the victim of whistleblower victimisation or e.g. maternity or disability discrimination, different protections apply.

Are you quite sure of the legal situation here? ACAS can offer fact based clarification from an objective government source for free (not advice obviously).

If you are sure that’s how it’s going to go down then you owe them nothing. Surely though, they must have to give you notice? If there’s no performance or security issues or anything. Even if you’ve only been there a year, usually they’d have to give notice.

I would ask to speak to them about it tomorrow, management have been very unprofessional by leaking this. Also only believe it once it's discussed with your manager.

I imagine a sympathetic manager has told the OP so that she can be prepared as getting told out of the blue is very hard. Really sorry about this OP, some
companies are struggling but I also know of lots that are recruiting.
Can you postpone the meetings you have in, say something has come up, and work on your CV and job hunt instead. Will be a better use of your time. Also, worth thinking about any examples you might need for an interview, so you implemented a new initiative and it reduces waste by X, or sales increased by Y. You could get the figures on that while you still have access to things.

Sorry I see it’ll be pay in lieu of notice, are you sure they can do that as per your contract?

Agree with others here. Either tell them you know or go sick for the week.

Do you know why? I would maybe call in sick tomorrow and seek some legal advice. Do you have have legal support through any insurance or bank account? Or a union or professional body?
I think there is a legal or employment rights board on here.
i have been in this situation and it is a taboo or unthinkable for most people so sending support and solidarity. I did use a legal firm to defend myself on record although was advised that due to the 2 year rule instant dismissal wasn't illegal unless I could prove it was related to a protected characteristic. I don't regret spending the money for walking away with my head held high but if it happened again today I don't think I could justify the money.

in practical terms I went to my gp and got signed off sick asap and started freelancing whilst I looked for a new permanent job.

I am so sorry you are going through this 💐

Anyone advising you to call in sick is giving awful advice. If you claim to be unwell when you’re not and they find out then that could amount to gross misconduct and you wouldn’t get your pay in lieu of notice. You’ve just thrown away your payout and a good reference just so you can avoid one conversation to tell them that you know.

Will the dismissal become part of your employment record? If so I'd be inclined to jump before being pushed. I would tell them you know about the dismissal then offer to resign with immediate effect if they'll pay you on the same basis. Saves them all the drama of escorting from the premises etc and - if there were the slightest slightest chance of any tribunal against them (even if it was unwinnable) - saves them the admin costs of proving their case against you. Just lance the boil.

It’s not at all performance related. I’m not alone there will be others too. I use the term dismissed as I really have no rights as less than 2 years but I guess it’s lay offs (common in this sector right now).

don’t want to go into much detail about how I know as it’s quite outing, but it’s 100% certain.

Ah, lay-offs changes the situation. You'll have to sit it out but sadly it'll be very hard if the others don't know they're about to be laid off.

Go in if you want. Call in sick if you dont.

Will someone get in trouble if management know you know? If not, I’d go in and very professionally explain you’ve come into possession of this information and it makes things rather awkward for you. I’m sure they’ll want you out the building asap and you’ll get an extra paid week off.

Don’t go in, as they fire towards the end of the day too, to get their moneys worth. I hate that, if your going to fire someone do it in the morning so at least they get a day to themselves paid.