Been called to a meeting with HR - any advice?

[Foxy200]

(Name change in case any of my colleagues recognise me)

I’ve been called into the office on Wednesday next week for a meeting with my boss and HR. The meeting title is vague, and when I asked what it was about, I was told it was just an update meeting with nothing to prepare. I asked if I should be worried, and I was told that I shouldn’t be. However, I can’t shake the feeling that something might be amiss.

There’s no question about my performance, but I find my boss very difficult to work with; he’s a micromanager and often inappropriate. I tend to keep my distance and only approach him when necessary, and I avoid any work social events.

I’m concerned that I may be let go simply because I don’t seem to fit in. I’ve been with the company for 11 months in a senior role, and while I’m not devastated since I hate the job, I’m worried about being out of work and finding another position. I’ve never been fired before, and I feel a bit anxious about it.

Any advice on how to handle the meeting?

If they say anything at all about you not being a team player, then say that your boss is inappropriate so you avoid going to social events.

Hello, I'm very sorry but this sounds like redundancy or termination. Ask for clarity on the purpose of the meeting and if it is about either performance or tenure at the company, request that you bring someone which is normally fine.

Ask as many questions as possible. Record the meeting on your phone. Tell them you are already considering your legal options and would like to negotiate a settlement. If it's a big company they'll still probably ask you to sign an NDA (even after not long) which is your bargaining power for a stronger settlement

Since you’ve only been there 11 months they can really do anything. However, in my experience, if this was about redundancy/firing they wouldn’t give you a week’s notice re the meeting. You’d get the invitations that day or the day before

Rather than having it hanging over your head all weekend I’d contact HR and just bluntly say you don’t want this worrying you all weekend so could they give more information

Is it a large firm OP or small?

I am in a very similar position to you. Specialised role which i am good at and work damn hard at. They would be buggered if i left as they are all lazy and dont listen to me! I dont get along with my boss, no dramaI just avoid him but there is an atmosphere. I expect they might offload me at some point as they did similar to another colleague earlier this year. Its a small business and a couple of huge egos at the top just can’t handle anyone who doesnt treat them like they are a god. I hate it but the market is tough and the only roles are FT and I really need PT for my family.

Go in as prepared as you can be, have a think about what cards you can play but do not play them at that first meeting. If you have any evidence on emails etc, make a log of these or get files you need (as permitted by co rules) in case they immediately suspend your access next week.

They've said it was urgent and not to worry when you asked. If it were a disciplinary then they'd need to have informed you of such including the option to be accompanied and a copy of the policy.
So maybe try not to worry? You clearly won't be sacked !

I can’t help much but I hate it when companies do this, I work in HR and any meetings where I can’t divulge the reason I pop in the diary max 1-2 hours before so there is less worrying for the employee. Otherwise I’ll tell them the reason if they’re not expecting it.

"..........but I find my boss very difficult to work with; he’s a micromanager and often inappropriate."

OP, you should make detailed notes of how and when your manager behaves inappropriately.

Exactly this. Find out the real reason, then postpone it until you can arrange a union rep or other similar support.

As protected characteristics include race, sex and age, it would be pretty difficult to find anyone who doesn’t have one.

I asked if I should be worried, and I was told that I shouldn’t be.

Would HR really say that if they were about to make OP redundant?

I spent past year thinking that my boss does not like me, turns out he thinks highly of me and put my name forward for promotion.

Yes thank you I am well aware of that.

My advice stands.

Replies are quite dramatic, could be something really boring, go with an open mind and see what it's about. Take action then as necessary, they've said nothing to prepare for so just go along🤷‍♀️

Have you been given the opportunity to have anyone else in the meeting with you to support you such as a colleague? It's a long way off which in one way is correct to give you time to prepare in a disciplinary situation but as that is not the case I think its unfair to keep you hanging on and would insist on knowing what it was about or more clarification. If it is redundancy there's a whole selection process to go through unless its just you! is the company in trouble do you think! On the up side it might be a bonus and confirmation of your one years probation!

Hopefully it's not what you think which will give you more time to consider your options

If its not the worst news and its some kind of warning, I would-

• make copious notes and email them back to them as a record after the meeting
• ask for specific examples of things that haven't gone well and ask what approach they would have preferred you to take
• make sure any new targets are specific and check how they will be measured and how often they will be monitored

It might be useful to write down examples of good things you've done, targets you've exceeded, feedback you've had, extra work you've been involved with etc just in case you need them for any reason in case your mind goes blank

Last time I had one of those meetings I got told I might be made redundant… and then I was made redundant

There is nothing good about calling someone to meeting with no agenda.

At best it's professionally discourteous, at worst it wrong foots the employee. Nothing to prepare for? They've plainly prepared by calling it.

Possibly either

• trying to move your role / teams
• there’s been a complaint about someone you work with
• restructure
• redundancy

Speak to a union representative if you have one.
Typically if a meeting can result in anything negative like warnings, demotion or dismissal you should be given 7 calendar days notice with the details of what the meeting is about and any evidence that will be used in it. So it doesn't sound like something to worry about but to ease your anxiety, do speak with them.

In what way is he inappropriate? A grievance might be appropriate and would probably mean a neat settlement if you have evidence or a strong case they don’t want to risk fighting.

I would also been anxious in your position but I’ve also let people go and never given any notice. I’ve had HR just join a 1:1 on the day rather than cause concern.

I wonder if someone else has complained about your boss and his behaviour, meaning HR are now conducting interviews to find out how the rest of the team feels?

I would try not to worry until you know it's negative. It might not be at.

@Foxy200 - it sounds like you’re doing well in your job. If you’re in the U.K. then there is protection to being dismissed on the day with no warnings - whether through redundancy or disciplinary. To avoid legal protocol, they could offer you money to leave.
However, it does feel unlikely therefore you will go to the meeting and walk out with no money and no job so try not to worry.

It may be that they feel you’re not doing very well; or they can sense you’re not happy, or don’t like your boss and they want to try and talk this out and look for ways to improve.
It could be trying to be constructive. So maybe try not to worry - unless you’re in US.

If you say so

Why are you sure?