Help - this is starting to stress me out!

[LollipopViolet]

Right, I'll try and keep this as short as possible, but I need some help. I work part time and reached 6 months of employment on January 28th.

On Friday 13th February my manager and I had a chat and she said that I am not meeting the standards I need to in order to pass probation (getting distracted was a big thing - apparently when not with a customer I must face the front of the store to wait for the next one, not get distracted by what colleagues are doing) and I get stressed under pressure. My knowledge is also not where they'd like at this point.

So I went away, even spoke to my GP who was lovely and is arranging some counselling and assertiveness training to help with my confidence issues. My manager also spoke about extending my probation and reducing my hours to help with the pressure - I study part time and my course involves a placement so I don't use my days off as time to relax as I'm doing other work.

Fast forward to yesterday and something has come up, that I can't go into detail about, but suffice to say it's not helping my stress levels and I'd rather know if anything was going to come of it.

My hours were never reduced and my probation not formally extended, apparently my manager wants to have that conversation either today or Friday when I'm next in. She's said if she were using her business head she wouldn't keep me on, and this issue coming to light seems very convenient - she's even said before it might be better if I leave, rather than fail probation. Thing is, if I leave I've been told categorically I won't be entitled to jobseekers if I leave- in this situation it's better if my probation is ended and I'm let go - that's come from my Work Programme provider. I will need to sign back on at some point in the future, so need to take that into consideration.

Basically I'm confused, stressed and worried and I want it all to be sorted out :( I like the job that's the sad thing but I'm obviously not good at it.

Without knowing what the thing is nobody can advise on that point, but unless it is sexism, racism, homophobia, pregnancy or other protected characteristics, an employer can let you go at any point in the first two years with pretty much no claim by yourself.

If being let go is preferable then tell them that you are not leaving of your own accord, you love the job and just require what had been promised plus some management support on the areas that they think you are not meeting requirements yet, and be as positive as you can whilst knowing that they can still let you go at any point in the next 14 odd months.

Ok it's hard without it outing me but essentially a process I was involved in may need to be investigated - there were others involved in the process too, including the assistant manager. I'm certain I acted correctly in the part I was involved with, if that makes sense. Sorry I can't say more but it would out me for sure.

If you are certain that you acted correctly then just be aware that they may know you weren't involved, but they could be using you as a scapegoat.

Assuming that you will get called into a meeting about the >thing<

In this instance, go to the meeting, tell them the truth and see what way the land lies. I'd make sure that I had rehearsed the line 'but how can that happen, I have followed procedure to the letter and if >that< is happening, does the procedure need changing?' Don't go blaming anyone just keep your mantra of 'I did it according to the procedure, if I should have done something else, then training is needed'.

Are you in a union? If so, they will be able to help as soon as you know if you are being blamed or not.

Not in a union, didn't think I'd need one for part time retail.

I've just been called in two hours early too, should've been working 12-4 now been asked to start at 10. Two hours overtime when I could really do with a reduction in hours - gah!

Right, thought I'd update:

They've left it too long for me to be classed as on probation. So, they can't fail me. So I either leave, or I go on performance management and if I don't improve I get managed out of the business - sacked. Not good. I've had none of this in writing.

My hours still haven't been reduced.

I've just had 14 hours overtime dropped on me for next week - even though the manager has said she thinks I need the pressure taking off me - there are other part timers but as they're on proper college or uni courses (mine is part time, one evening and one day placement a week) it's fallen to me, due to staff holidays. I've just had

I just want out, but there's no way out until I get another job (I do have a couple of irons in that particular fire, however).

Can't you just refuse the overtime ?

I actually refused to go and work 2 days at another location over this weekend as I was only asked yesterday - so refusing again really wouldn't be a good idea.

As it stands, I've got my one day off, and I'm finishing in enough time to get to college on Wednesday so I will do it, and just count down the days until my long awaited weekend away (which I've had booked as holiday since January, so know it's going to happen!)