Dismissal - how should it happen?

[havenlady]

DS1 (aged 20) has just phoned to say that he has lost his job. It has come as a complete shock to him. He has been in the job for 9 months on a permanent contract. Whilst if the job isn't working out, then the employer doesn't need to keep him on, but I would have thought he would be at least entitled to a warning and a chance to address any problems before this happens, even if in the job for less than 2 years?

What reason have they given for dismissing him? Is it related to his performance from what you have said it might be) or is it a redundancy situation?

No, if less than 2 years they don't have to follow any process. They do need to pay his notice though

I think it must be his performance / suitability for the role, although he hasn't said much.

What Hermione said. Employers can dismiss somebody within 2 years for no reason at all. It's pretty shit, but it's the law.

OK - looks like he is back to the drawing board. Any tips on how to explain this on his CV?

Can he get any info from them on what wasn't working? That would be helpful in planning his next move.

He could pretend it was a fixed term co tract that wasn't renewed, or say "I tried X, I learned X & z but it wasn't for me, so now I'm looking at this". He's 20 - lots of people have more than one start

That's helpful advice - although I don't think it would be great idea to be less than truthful on his CV - but I suppose you could let it be implied. He does struggle a bit with organisation as he is Dyspraxic, but is adamant that telling potential employers that will make it harder for him to get a job. I don't think he told the last ones either.

It would be really useful for both of you if he could get some information from the previous employers or if he would pass on to you what they may have already told him.

I will do - he is a bit too upset at the moment to talk about things. Many thanks