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?

Well no, but she’s upset and having proper notice may give her a week or so to get her head around it instead of being literally escorted off the premises. Obviously in some jobs that isn’t possible.

You might want to tell ACAS to update their advice pages then:
https://www.acas.org.uk/providing-a-job-reference/what-employers-can-say-in-a-reference

A detailed reference (or character reference) can include:

answers to questions from the employer requesting the reference
details about your skills, ability and experience
details about your character, strengths and weaknesses relating to your suitability for the new role
how often you were off work
disciplinary details
the reason you left the job
The amount of detail included in the reference is up to the person who provides it, unless their employer has a specific policy on this.

How do you know though?

its irrelevant as the OP is not being dismissed but
typically a CV should include all previous roles
an employer may well seek an explanation if there are time gaps in the CV of a candidate
an employer may well insist on references from the most recent employer which would include detail that the employee had been dismissed

I appreciate that you don't want to go into detail, but unless you were snooping, there'll be a perfectly innocent explanation for how you found out. E.g., "I didn't meant to eavesdrop but I couldn't help but overhear"..."I happened to see something at the printer".

Why play games? Just tell them know, no hard feelings, and then you can make the best of your last few days.

On the other hand, if someone told you in confidence and then asked you to keep it a secret-- don't believe them! They could be mistaken, or they could be messing with you.

I’d go in and get your affairs in order. You’ve got a weeks notice you will be going, anyone saying it’s stressful working a weeks notice, wants to try working a 3 month redundancy period. It’s not personal, other people are losing their jobs too, be dignified and use the time wisely.

The OP hasn't done anything wrong, why would holding her head up high be necessary?

I'm old enough to have been through more than one recession, been made redundant and there's no shame in your role being a casualty of economic circumstances

Some of the advice on here is silly @Firedgirl has the advantage of being about to prepare practically and emotionally and that's what she should do this week. No need to do anything more than the minimum workwise while doing the practical things others have said

Good luck with your job hunt

Phone in sick

sorry to hear this is happening

They’re never going to find out if she only goes off for a few days/ a week. Get real.

Dreadful advice. Fair enough if she was
going to be dismissed for performance/conduct but not just being let go due to a downturn

Or suddenly become pregnant or any other protected characteric.

Go in tomorrow and request a meeting first thing. Tell them what you have found out. See what they say. Explain you would find it hard to work this week knowing! Chances are you will be dismissed then rather than they wait until Friday. But you still get your notice pay and a good reference.

Characteristic

Yes, this is really good advice. To call in sick would just be so unprofessional - where is your pride and self-respect? Don't hide at home not facing it lying that you're sick. Go in, tell them you know and go through the proper procedures.

This is spot on @Puffin87. If you bring a claim of discrimination, it’s on the claimant to provide evidence. It’s much harder than people think to get the evidence to support this type of claim. I’ve attended a tribunal before. The discrimination part of the claim was struck out at a preliminary hearing because the employee didn’t have evidence to support her claim. She didn’t get to take her claim to the full hearing. Her other claim was struck out later after the full hearing.

OP, I’d ask for a meeting and talk to them about what you know. At least that way you aren’t waiting all week with the pressure building. It’s a horrible situation to be in.

That's just odd. Why would anyone nowadays NOT possess both a work phone and a personal phone? A work phone is not your personal property. What happens when you go on holiday? You take your workphone and then you're at risk of being called at all hours over work stuff?

The op drip fed its multiple lay offs. The op is misleading.

I'd go in as normal, lift as much stationary as I could get away with then do very little actual work until I'm officially told. I'd clear my locker out beforehand and possibly even go off sick for a week the day they are due to tell me. Might buy you an extra weeks pay if they decide to wait until you return to dismiss you.

I know one person with a work phone When I’m on leave no one texts or calls me with work issues…because I’m on leave

Make sure you've gathered any information that you need re your employment history, training records etc from the company systems as it will be very difficult to obtain them once you've left.

I would stick it out and ask for a reference - you've done nothing wrong so they should oblige.

Delete any personal stuff from company computers, clear the decks, and as others have said, get applying for new jobs asap.

Exactly this.
Get on this tomorrow, because once they tell you, you'll be shut out of everything.

If you can get it all done tomorrow, move everything you need to your bag/car and out the door to someplace secure, then consider telling them you know and how would they like you to handle it. Because you're not comfortable knowing this when the others on the 'to go' list don't have a clue, but you're happy to work with them. Eg, Negotiate a reference as well. extra week of pay to go now, quietly,

Stealing stationery and faking sickness? That will go down well.

Sorry OP but MN is one of the worst places to go to for employment advice!

Actually ignore the bit about calling in sick. That's bad advice, don't call in sick. It won't work and you don't want to impact your reference.

Who wants to be called when they’re on holiday? You leave an email reply saying you’ll be out of the office till blah, if it’s urgent contact blah.

I’d be in the “go in tomorrow and tell them you know” camp. But I suppose it also depends on how you know tbf - did you do something you weren’t supposed to be doing and find out? Did somebody tell you (who could then get in big trouble)? Etc etc.