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?

I don't know how things work in the UK, but I would not game play with my employment particularly if I would be hoping for a positive recommendation from this employer.

Not sure you do know how things work...to qualify as disabled under the Equality Act, your condition has to be substantial and long term so ringing in one day saying I am suffering from anxiety would not automatically qualify - it would need to be supported by medical evidence that this was a long term condition that impacted on your day to day living. I think the company would take a chance on this and still dismiss and any disability discrimination claim would be easily defended.

That's tough and I'm sorry you're going through this, OP.
To those saying take sick - absolutely don't. All you're doing is delaying the inevitable and it will do nothing good for your mental health.
I agree with those saying tell your manager that you know and have it done there and then. And if you're paid in lieu of notice, that will give you breathing space to update your CV and get looking around at what else is out there.

Well Op, this thread demonstrates why MN is the wrong place to get employment advice. 😂
I hope all goes well for you in the future and you find your next job quickly.

Can you go off on long term stress....long enough to be made redundant?

LOL I literally work for a well known organisation that leads on equality and diversity so you saying I don't know the definition of disability - which is legal not medical by the way - is not true. Your assertion that I'd need to back up my PTSD with medical evidence before getting any adjustments is absolute bullshit. If you really knew the EQA you'd know it says employers have a duty to make adjustments if they 'know or could be reasonably expected to know' someone experiences a barrier - no proof needed. Whatever. Bye babe.

References do contain all sorts, in certain sectors.

Whether they should is another matter.

You’re saying you’re an HR person (bullshit) telling someone to pretend they’re disabled. DFOD.

And my argument still stands that someone who rings up one day saying they are stressed or anxious would never be classed as disabled according to the legal definition within the EQA, as you would know if you really knew the EQA.

No HR person I know would advise someone to pretend they were sick, or as you are incorrectly stating, disabled.

Happened to me in November I saw it in my bosses calendar. I told him I had seen in and got myself an extra weeks gardening leave.

If you've got any personal belongings there that you want to retrieve, I'd go in tomorrow, but then go off sick the rest of the week.

If they were prepared to make a song and dance of escorting you from the building etc, spare yourself the embarrassment.

Loss of household income is a entirely legitimate consideration for a GP. Better to consider stress now than in a week's time, when it is already too late.

I would develop a flu bug and take a few days off, go back in on Friday, don’t be your usual cheery self, be glum.

Incompetent HR staff are usually the reason why companies end up at tribunals.

Goodgrief82
Op believes they are going to be sacked - they are well within their right to ask management if this is true instead of waiting for dreaded Friday. No issues there at all.

Whilst I agree it's not completely honest to sign yourself off sick, it's also impossible that your employer would ever know. There is loads going around at the moment and lots of people are legitimately ill - as long as you stay home they could never ever know.

The employer is not being completely honest also. They're acting within the law but they're not being honest.

Having to go in whilst holding on to this knowledge is awful.

I do agree the best option is to phone up on Monday morning and speak to HR, let them know what you know and say you can't possibly act as normal as this is a big blow (though you obviously won't tell anyone else) and see if they offer you the week paid, I bet they will.

Well indeed

but that wasn’t quite what you were suggesting now was it?! 😂

Duchess379 · Today 13:16
I'd have it out with a member of management when you next go in. There is no way I'd go to work for a whole week knowing I was getting the boot on Friday. Good luck xx

Assuming you are a permanent member of staff?

I would go in being the best and brightest version of yourself for the week. Be as helpful and lovely as you can to everyone. Leave with an amazing impression of you in their minds.

Any impressive processes in place or things the company is doing particularly well. Browse over them again and make a mental note of it. Not copy all their confidential docs obviously - but keep their best practices in mind for a future role elsewhere.

On my db’s last day of work (he was moving country and couldn’t get an internal transfer) he stayed up until the early hours of the morning trying to help a colleague with a problem. 3 months later the person he helped reached out to him on LinkedIn and offered him a job - the guy had moved firms and was responsible for building up a new team where my db was located.

Anyone else getting laid off will be moving to a new place that’s hiring. They’re good contacts to have.

Your advice is incorrect and totally misleading. Suddenly starting with mental health issues and getting a doctors note does not automatically mean you are covered under disability. You need to understand the legislation around this as your advice is dangerous!

OP is not getting sacked, she is getting laid off. Completely different situations and require handling differently.

Adjustments yes but calling in tomorrow and saying that OP now has a disability will not protect her. I think you need further training.