can someone be sacked just because they don't get on with colleagues?

[beaglesaresweet]

Sorry it may be a very stupid question (and a long post) but as I'm self-employed I have no idea what is considered 'unfair dismissal' nowadays.
A friend has fallen out with several people at work (not a large co, about 30 employees) and in their eyes has been agressive (told another manager that she didn't respect her, had a row with another head of dept), yet she holds a key post in the company and the boss relies on her a lot.
But she is not happy with most things now (used to be different) and everyone can see this which causes an atmosphere. The boss seems to be playing cat and mouse a bit - he recently let her down by doing something major without consulting her which he should have done - cue friend being very furious for couple of weeks and telling home truths etc but then the boss was all apologetic and saying how important she was and a key worker (she does do her immediate job extremely well). Otoh boss defended others and never going to sack them or really tell them off which my friend wanted him to do.
It's kind of obvious that they would like her to go, at least quite a few people in management do - it's just simpler than for them to make all the changes and staff changes that she is suggesting. It seems like the boss has let her down recently deliberately to piss her off, and maybe to prompt her leaving voluntarily but wants to appear like a good guy so is apologetic etc but possibly buying time to find a replacement - could this be because they can't sack her based on a few episodes of agressive behaviour?
Friend said that in the past the boss behaved in similar way towards someone and the person has left eventually (all the empty promises/cat and mouse). She said she won't leave until she finds a job to go to, so I assume she thinks she can't be dismissed for being 'troublesome' - is this the case?
She is very stressed and I just want to know the legal side as if they can't sack her, it would explain why they are ganging up on her a bit and the boss being a bit manipulative. If they did dismiss her, could she apply then to court for unfair dismissal?

Did they speak to her about all the incidences in the past? Or email her? As she may well be in the 'last chance saloon' without even realising it.

One verbal warning, one written then bang, gone!

Years ago it happened to a friend of mine, she hadnt realised the kind and gentle pointers and recaps by mail were in fact a first & second warning and was utterly shocked when they dismissed her for the next minor error. They were a very pernickety old fashioned law firm in the City, and it was her first job so althoygh she's lovely (certainly not the aggressive nightmare your friend sounds like!), she just didn't 'get' the formal nature or expectations. She was great in a different sector, in an actually more skilled job but different expectations.

beagles, I wish you were my friend, as you clearly care about your friend a lot. However, think you are getting too involved. The legal situation is rarely simple, and companies can and do ignore the law. Your friend needs to decide for herself whether t carry on with her current behaviour or to change it. Remember the version she tells you is her particular version of the truth (and it's only natural that you believe her).

I'd suggest you save your energy, and instead of trying to find a legal solution to her problems, just be ready to be a non-judgmental, supportive shoulder to cry on if/when it all goes pear-shaped for her.

Hmm this is a really interesting subject, i came across this article only now, but found it relevant to respond as i have a colleague in a similar situation to the women referred in this thread.
I have read the majority of messages and find it totally surprising, that no one has put the shoe on the other foot, assuming the co workers are right?
Maybe co workers have ganged up together as they are in this situation because they feel threatened of their own abilities and weaknesses and so they attack by the masses to defend, which is their stance and exaggerate to protect themselves?
However from the vast majority of responses that make judgement that she should be sacked or leave. Well why hasn't she left or been sacked?
I guess she is unhappy because she is not appreciated for what she has achieved, and sometimes in business you have to be tough to get results and then get slapped for being rude, firm and aggressive towards her co workers.
This women is a victim of her own success and achievements here, It is clear, She is brilliant at her job and has to be firm and will come across rude and aggressive to her co workers, especially those who are weak and rubbish at their job and have nothing better to do then waste the companies time in reporting "how they feel " rather than doing their job properly in the first place.
Her Boss hasn't taken further action because he knows she is fantastic at her job and he is just playing the good cop bad cop game.
She is a victim of "professional jealously" from certain co workers who stir, especially those who are too weak and throw the bully and harassment card to HR.
Fact Employment law would not stick a chance here, why should she leave when it is very clear her co workers are the ones that should be investigated.

I believe, society has become too focused on weak cohorts of employees who complain, go on the sick more than the high achievers , because they can.

Where I work, you'd be put on a behavioural action plan, given 3 chances to improve and get the boot at the end unless you had resigned first. So yes, you can be sacked for interpersonal difficulties with colleagues.

Is she actually being aggressive, or is she assertively telling some home truths?

I do think women are judged differently from men, and if a man said the same thing in the same way it would be accepted but a woman is being aggressive or abrasive. As such I am not going to judge and I think calling her an entitled baby is unjustified.

But if she is unhappy, she should look for another job. And it may be that the company is getting its ducks in a row to start a process. On the other hand, as I posted on another thread in AIBU, some companies keep people on who have absolutely no idea how to get on with people and you really wonder why at times so perhaps they won't try to get rid of her if she otherwise performs well.