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?

This is nonsense. Companies can and do disclose.

Why do people keep saying to negotiate a reference?

OP hasn't done anything wrong so when the employer is asked for a reference I see no reason they won't give a good one.

And having 1 day off sick won't cause her to be fired or effect her reference at all.
I'd take Monday off, gather your thoughts, sort out your cv, call a few agencies, then go in for the rest of the week

Quietly remove all your personal belongings over Tuesday Wednesday and Thursday, including phone numbers of people you want to stay in touch with, and be prepared for Friday.

Arrange to meet a friend on Friday night so you have someone to talk to, or try to organise childcare so you and dp (if you have one) can have a quiet night.

Plus you still get let go anyway. Totally misleading header makes it sound like they're being fired for misconduct but obviously OP saw something they were not supposed to see which confirmed they would be leaving. It's a bummer but there's only really two options. You with tell them that you know and would rather not have to go through the indignity of waiting all week for the henchmen to arrive, or you keep quiet and suck it up. Going sick won't stop it from happening.

At the end of this week you will need your current employers to give you a good reference so that you can get another job. Therefore this week is your opportunity to really shine. You could be facing weeks of unemployment so put best work clothes on everyday this week. Make people tea, take in cake and just be the best possible version of yourself that you can be. Without drawing attention to it remove all personal items during the week so that when the inevitable happens on Friday you will be able to leave with dignity which is rarely achieved when clutching a carrier bag or box of desk detritus . Dignity and professionalism need to be your key words to get you through the week. You absolutely must go in with your happiest face. However if you hear of any colleagues who are going to get the chop this week , who are about to take out a car loan etc might be kind to advise them to think carefully about the purchase for at least another week. You can do this OP. Be fabulous, be you.

Not going the last week is so unprofessional. And also you risk one week salary and references. Pointless.
I would carry on like normal while doing some job search. Not the end of the world. You got this job and a promotion so no reason to think you won’t do it again. Good luck

That really sucks but at least you have a heads up and it won’t be a huge shock while actually there. You’re not being fired as such, and you’re not the only one so you haven’t been singled out. I’d go and hold my head up, and use this week to do as much job hunting as possible around work. Do you have any annual leave allowance left because you could take that maybe as well?

If it won’t drop the person who told you in it, go in tomorrow, clear your desk and tell that that you know. If you work in a job with sensitive data etc that they don’t you to potentially sabotage, you will be given gardening leave. So you are being paid to sit at home and apply for jobs. Be the bigger person. If jobs come up later in the same company they will remember how you handled yourself. If your role is being made redundant, are there others in the company you can apply for?

Is the OP Rishi?

Extra week of pay to go now quietly? What are you talking about?! Negotiate a reference? OP, please ignore the utter crap in this thread.

It will probably be easier for you to be sick for three days while you get your head around it all, job search etc, then go in on Thursday to clear the decks - news will probably have leaked more widely by then. Sucky situation but that’s life. No need for a song and dance. Good luck.

I would find being escorted out by security absolutely humiliating and would not cope with that.
in your shoes, I would work mon-thur, use the time to clear out my desk and take home any personal items etc. then just before I leave on Thursday I would hand over my resignation. I would then phone in sick on Friday and ask my GP to sign me off on wrs for the remainder of my notice period. I would rather walk away with my dignity intact.

I had to do this in August last year, I was about to be sacked so on the morning of the meeting (which was at the end of the day - why? Why would you want me to work for 7hrs if my work was so bad?), I emailed my resignation with immediate effect. I was there less than 2years as well, zero rights. It’s shit OP, I’m so sorry you are in this situation

Does anyone on MN have an actual job?! Some of the replies on here are comical.

There is so much really really good advice but additionally a whole load of bull*t advice.

speak to your employers, see what they say and then verify it with ACAS. If your employers have a good HR department they will do everything correct and as per employment legislation but please don’t take the stupid advice like stealing stationery, announcing your pregnancy (if your aren’t pregnant that it) etc…

MN is not the place to get HR advice. so many people who have little knowledge and think they are experts have posted her and if you follow their advice you might come across a little silly.

Then presumably she won't be paid / get a reference.

Being dismissed and losing one's job in a redundancy process that effects multiple people are two different things.

You can be dismissed abruptly with under two years service. In my experience it tends to be tied to performance, and it is unpleasant- although other industries may be different. It tends to be a singular event, not happening to lots of people on the same day.

Redundancy, assuming you are in uk is a fairly predictable process that requires a minimum of two meetings, depending on numbers effected can take several weeks but can also happen quite quickly. Unless the manner in which you found out also provided details of how this would happen, don't assume that you won't get any redundancy pay.

I wouldn't go in on Monday and say that i know. If it instigates the process sooner then it may reduce your pay by a week.

If you can wfh then try to do that a couple times this week to give you some space. Tidy up, bring personal effects home. Deal with Friday as it comes

If OP is being laid off with immediate effect and is getting paid in lieu of notice she does not need to take sick leave as her employment as ended. Also, there is no need to resign, she is getting laid off, she is not being dismissed. If she resigns with immediate effect she could lose her notice period/pay.

A lot of companies do not give detailed references anyway as a policy.

They just confirm your job title and the time period you had worked there.

I wouldn't go in. Call in sick, you will regret in a few years time bending over backwards for this company during this time.

You do not have to shine for the company knowing this and behave like a slave.

Lots of people leave companies on bad terms and still find good jobs after that. I know, I am one of them :D

Which sector do you work in?

A few sectors also give informal references since people move between specific firms.

Take in fucking cake and do tea rounds? No OP, don't creep like this. Keep your dignity.

I’d do this. Be professional and explain that you know, They won’t want you telling the others.

Thanks all. So I’m not going to do anything crazy. I’m going to go in, put my headphones in and try to get through!

I’ve made a list of questions to ask on Friday. At least this has given me time to compile a list of questions so I’m not knocked off my feet. This is the only good thing about this sorry situation.

Turn this bad news into a positive as much as possible.

Show up every day next week, as that means you effectively have whatever your contractual notice period is (for getting paid in lieu of), plus next week.

Actively start looking for work immediately. If you're working remotely use as much of the day as you can to get your CV ready for applying, plus actually applying for roles - LinkedIn, Indeed etc, try to arrange any online interviews at the beginning and end of the day. Maximise the time.

Dont talk to anyone else about this. Let's face it you'll soon be history there, so don't let anyone know your plans, it's none of their business.

Dont forget to ensure you are paid for any accrued but untaken annual leave days including any carried over from the previous year if relevant.

I work in the private sector. I don't think it makes a difference though.

She is not supposed to know that she will be laid off. Management doesn't know that she knows.

She can totally fake being ill before the lay-off that she is not aware of will happen

Beat them to it and hand your notice in. It will give you the buffer of your notice period rather than the immediate effect of their terms.

oops, name change fail 😂