To ask how worried I should be about this work situation?

[OffWorkandWorried]

Posting for traffic.

Background: worked for my company continuously for 8 years. Large company, established. HR dept exists but with v high turnover.
15 months ago I moved internally to a different role (which was part of my previous role, but was separated out)
I wasn’t given much direction in the new role. Have not had an appraisal since 2023.
I’ve really struggled in the past 5-7 months. Mainly with workload and unreasonable expectations.
Manager aware but nothing in writing.
I’ve definitely been underperforming - again not brought up to me directly and nothing in writing.

The workload and stress got to be too much and I’m off sick for 6weeks. I’ve left a backlog of tasks I haven’t completed and feel “found out”.

I am concerned that once I’m back, I’ll be managed out/sacked.

i am applying for other roles but there isn’t much out there in my sector. I have a 4 mo notice period. No savings and nothing to fall back on, money wise. Family can’t support me.

i would speak to my union rep except…I AM our union rep.

YABU - it’ll take ages to sack you and you’re over thinking this

YANBU - jump before you’re pushed and hand your notice in now.

If you are a union rep, you know the procedure for dismissing someone for poor performance. It takes ages and, so far, they haven't even taken the first steps which is to inform you of their concerns and have PIP in place.

I think I was about to be put on a PIP, as my boss asked to extend our usual 1:1 this week to an hour rather than the usual 30 mins. But we didn’t get to meet as my fit note came through on Monday.

I know logically it’ll take a while but also I’m mortified. If I’m sacked, they won’t pay PILON and I’ll be in a pretty bad situation. I think I’m just really panicking.

Not sure what your sector or your company is like but my employer would 100% prefer to either manage people out, i.e. get them to leave voluntarily or make them redundant rather than dismiss on poor performance. From what I know, the latter isn't that easy to do (esp. for larger companies and esp. in situations where underperformance hasn't been made clear on a regular basis). Having said this, if you company takes a stance, they can always start making a case for underperformance now and gradually lead up to dismissal. Managers, however, in my experience don't really like doing that because it obviously means they have to deal with it all personally and not many people enjoy the process.

So, I'd say work on your performance if you can but keep looking for another job and if possible, make savings. At this point, you probably shouldn't quit because they may choose to make you redundant or offer voluntary redundancy in which case the company would have to pay something that would help you with at least some security for the time you are looking for another job.

If you want to stay, I'd ring up and discuss things with your manager. I would agree to a PIP and I'd discuss my workload and get some taken. off hopefully. I would then really get that work done. There is nothing else for it. I would want to know what's coming, then finish the sick leave with greater peace and resolve, and really get fit and better and ready for it, then go back in and get the job done, hopefully with a few changes to it.

My manager won’t talk to me until my return to work meeting which is due to be the week before I’m due back. I did ask whether they wanted to catch up when we would usually be meant to, they declined.

I am a single point of failure and manage a team of 11. There’s nothing which can really be taken off me. This was half the problem.

I think I was about to be put on a PIP, as my boss asked to extend our usual 1:1 this week to an hour rather than the usual 30 mins.

Try not to overthink this because this sort of thinking tends to make people more stressed and obviously negatively impacts their performance. Try to concentrate on the work that needs to be done instead and doing a good job of it. I know it's not easy but looking from the outside I wouldn't read anything into a request to extend a 1:1. It is possible that your manager noticed your performance and just wanted to ask if everything is ok. You never know.

The other thing I’m worried about is if I’m dismissed, I’ll have to explain this to any future employers and it’ll likely scupper any chances I have. Hence the jumping before I’m pushed

If you are dismissed for capability or poor performance, you would be entitled to your notice pay. Only
way you would not get it is if you had done something that could be considered gross misconduct.

I would stick with the process (well, when/if they start one) and continue to look for a new job if that is what you think might be best.

Also, if you are the union rep you can speak to your regional office for help.

You're not thinking rationally.

What would you advise someone else in your situation?

I wasn’t given much direction in the new role. Have not had an appraisal since 2023.
I’ve really struggled in the past 5-7 months. Mainly with workload and unreasonable expectations. This is not 'underperforming', this is a workload issue plus unreasonable expectations.

Speak to your union - you are not the only rep in your region!! This is what you pay subs for.

Or get legal advice.

This has helped. I need to find a lawyer that offers a 30 min initial consultation FOC, if that still exists, because I definitely can’t afford it otherwise at the moment.
It got to the point - workload wise - where I just couldn’t focus. I was gripped by…something. Fear? Overwhelm? I just couldn’t do it.

if I was advising someone else I’d say:
you were and are not well
you were not being supported by your direct manager
you are a long way off from the disaster you think is about to happen

You can also talk to your union. Is there a reason you don't want to?

Maybe your mind will clear a bit now you are away from work. This It got to the point - workload wise - where I just couldn’t focus. I was gripped by…something. Fear? Overwhelm? I just couldn’t do it. is a common feature of work-related stress or burnout.

No idea why I’m reticent to speak to them especially given I have a direct relationship with our regional coordinator. But this has spurred me on to email them now and ask for a chat next week. Thank you for your kind words. It’s been a lonely and terrifying place getting to this point.

Have you ever tried JustAnswer? They have qualified solicitors who can help for relatively straightforward questions. It might put your mind at ease.
It's not free, but I think you can sign up for a trial offer or something and when I needed it, it ended up quite cheap to get a reliable answer.

Yes - stress and depression. I suffer from anxiety and depression anyway so it’s just adding fuel to the fire. My employer are aware of my conditions.

Why?

I'm a rep too - unsure why you'd get legal advice first.

Call your upline for support on Monday.

Sorry - just not thinking straight I think. I’ve emailed our regional co ordinator and asked for a call next week.

OK, that's good.

Now try and relax over the weekend :)

Im off for stress and anxiety at the moment in my job too but dont have any performance issues. This is due to workload. This is beside the point i know but did you get a sick
note for 6 weeks in one go? I need to extens mine and that in itself is causing me stress.

Yep - 6w in one go. GP offered longer. I was surprised. However I will add that I was a total state when I saw her - couldn’t stop crying, lost weight, hadn’t slept for days, I’ve been throwing up as an anxiety symptom, generally really struggling. We have a follow up at the 4w mark and she’s offered to extend it for as long as I need to.

Small update:
I wasn’t overthinking this and I’ve been told that once back, I’ll be on a performance management plan. I was not given written notice of any performance issues previously so already the process is unlawful.

I will be extending my note.

My union have advised a w/o prejudice discussion regarding a managed exit. If I hand in my notice then there is a potential constructive dismissal claim on my part. My union think I have a good chance of obtaining a settlement and they’re supporting me.

This is and continues to be a living nightmare

I’m sorry to hear this - that sounds very stressful. If the union think you have a case that is good - you sound very strong.