To ask how you remain composed? I'm going to lose my job at 11am.

[AbsolutelyCrushed]

My manager has invited me to a "next steps" meeting with HR.

I'm one week away from completing probation today, and they have to give me one weeks' notice. The timing won't be a coincidence.

Essentially, I've freelanced for them for years, but they said last year they'd have to stop giving me work due to IR35 unless I accepted a full-time job. I was nervous, but did - but the project they gave me changed, and turned out to not be my skill set. I've done a fine job, the client is really happy, but it's not what I want to do. I had a chat with a director a while back and he said they think I'm great and would find me something else, and just wanted me to be happy. We agreed I'd suggest and then train up a replacement for this project, and they'd find me work closer to what I usually do, and am good at.

I've done that. Replacement is in place. Everyone is happy (client has asked if I can stay in some capacity, but all is fine). Manager last week asked me "off the record" if I'd like to go back to freelancing - I said I hadn't thought about it but enjoyed being employed. To be honest, as they made me stop all freelancing when I signed my contract with them, I don't have the clients anymore. He said he wasn't aware of any other opportunities coming up in the next 2 months but would ask around.

He's now put a meeting in for 11am with HR and I can't stop crying. I'm the breadwinner, DH can't work due to a disability, and we have a toddler who has just settled into nursery. I'm so upset. I also feel really stupid. How do I get through this without crying?

Good luck 💐💐💐💐💐

I lost my other clients by agreeing to work full-time with you

I hope they recognise that.

Good luck

Good luck OP.

it might not be as bad as you're expecting, but the fact they want to meet a week before probation ends is ominous. I hope you're ok

Very good luck OP.

An op. Wishing for the best for you. What an awful feeling.

Dear god, I can't believe anyone would say I think it is your responsibility not to destroy my life

Remember, if it is bad news, crying is a normal response, there's no shame in it.

Wishing you lots of luck- thinking of you.

Another MNetter, here, thinking of you.

What I would do.

Breathe in and out, several times. Remind myself of my worthiness and hold my head high whilst walking into the meeting.

If they are letting you go, please resist the urge to make them feel nice about it.

Don't say, "it's ok" because it's not.

If they ask you for input. Don't agree or disagree with anything. Say that you need time to process what they have said and will respond in two days.

If you can manage it, maintain a poker face while they deliver the bad news (if it's a firing) and then smile and walk out.

After the meeting, go out foe fresh air and have a cry and call a loved one who will be sympathetic to your situation. If there's no one to call, it's ok. Tell yourself that "this too shall pass" and your family will find a way out somehow. Taking up to half an hour is good, and then put your poker face back on and return to your desk and finish the day.

I feel so angry fir you.They have fone a real number on you, getting g you yovquit freelance and train up, I guess, a cheaper replacement.
Be gracious, and believe that things happen for a reason and there will be a better opportunity out there either your name on it.

I really hope it goes well for you…

This is excellent advice. I would add, have a strong mint to suck and also a tissue just in case.

If you do become upset, just explain that you feel the employer has messed you around after you have done your best for them, and the experience has been damaging, as well as causing you huge anxiety about the fear of losing your family’s only source of income.

Best of luck OP

🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞

I really pray that you get a positive outcome from the meeting. Thinking of you op

I hope you're ok.

Good luck OP!

I hope they are offeringyou something better op 🙏

Just wanted to send a big hug and wish you luck - really hoping it's not as you fear xx

Best of luck op.

Done. Took less than four minutes.

They want to return to a freelance relationship, as they don't have any permanent full-time work that uses the skillset that I have, but they think it'd be a loss to lose it.

Their offer was gardening leave for a month so I can find freelance work. They said they'd see it as a big net loss to not work with me again, but just don't have enough of the work that I enjoy and am good at to keep me full-time. Lots of nice words about really valuing me, but I'm not sure how much of that to believe, even if he did say that he knows it sounds weasel-y but really means it.

I cried but stayed mostly composed, and I'll have a think about things like testimonials that could maybe help... Or perhaps asking what the freelance landscape is like with them right now.

Thanks for all your hand-holding. I feel like such a failure.

Good luck, hope all goes well!!!

You’re not a failure. Not at all. A month’s gardening leave is good and gives you time to build freelance pipeline back up. You’ve got this. Take today to feel shit and then remember how awesome you are.