Probation extended but exceeded every objective

[daimbar]

Line manager has decided to extend my 6 month probation for 3 months.

His reasoning is 'I was given an impossible task' as every other team member left within weeks of me starting and I was 'fire fighting' to cover off their work.

Despite this I have exceeded every objective I was given.

Should I challenge this with HR? Or just keep my head down and focus on impressing him in the next 3 months.

It's been a big blow to my confidence as I thought I was doing really well.

[daimbar]

Thanks everyone. He has emailed over the original job description and asked me to put together a personal development plan for Friday.

Got the day off today so I guess I'll be doing that rather than Christmas shopping

I am still confused as everything he has highlighted on the JD I have been performing well in with stats to prove it.

At least I will have a formal written document.

Appreciate all the advice

[tribpot]

I would go back and challenge him - I can't write a PDP based on this job description as you have indicated that I am performing well in all the areas and here is the evidence. Also it's not your job to write the PDP without any input from him. You also shouldn't have to do it on your day off.

Could it be that he's used you to put together the new team and now you've finished what he perceives to be your usefulness to him, i.e. doing his job for him? The whole thing sounds very dodgy.

[daimbar]

Update: my boss told me before Christmas that objectives are irrelevant to him and he just doesn't 'feel' confident in me.

Today I found my job advertised on Totaljobs!!

Probation has been extended until beginning of March but it looks like his mind is made up and he plans to replace me.

Can he even do this when I have exceeded every objective?!

If I didn't get on with the team I would understand but I get on brilliantly with everyone.

I spoke to HR and they knew nothing about the job being advertised externally and seemed as confused as me.

Unfortunately he's on leave until next week so I can't ask him.

[FetchezLaVache]

That's really terrible, daim. I'm aghast that this has happened to you!

I have no idea as to the legal position, but I imagine if you've only been there six months and you're still technically on probation, you probably don't have a lot of comeback.

Tomorrow, I'd take a printout of the Totaljobs ad in to see your boss's boss and ask what the fuck's going on.

Sounds like the colleagues who left were spot on about the sly twat.

You said you'd been looking around for other jobs - any luck on that front?

[daimbar]

Thanks Fetch.

I have emailed him the link to the job and copied in HR asking for an urgent meeting when he's back on Monday.

I know he will check emails I hope it ruins his holiday.

[daimbar]

Thanks Raffles!

HR have been brilliant today. Apparently he called them after seeing the email from me and made up some rubbish about the job advertised being for a different part of the company (def not true).

Job has been taken offline and HR apologised that it happened and advised me to make notes at our meeting Monday.

No reply or apology from boss.

Is there a way back from this?! I love this job but can't see how we can move forward with his attitude.

[FetchezLaVache]

I reckon Raffles is right - he sees you as some kind of competition.

You said it's a big company - any chance either you or your boss could be redistributed? Because as you say, the trust's gone and you really can't work with this man any more.

Sounds like HR are taking this seriously. He'll have made himself look a twat by lying about the job rather than fighting his corner, surely?

I hope that the ultimate upshot of all of this is that the company decides that you're more of an asset to it than he is.

Looking forward to Monday's installment!

[RebootYourEngine]

Have just saw your thread. Hope monday goes well.

[daisychain01]

Good luck for Monday. Hopefully he can give you exact specifics on what needs to be achieved between now and 3 months' time. Don't let him shift the goalposts.

Take bulletpoint notes. Please don't feel uncomfortable or let him make you feel bad when you write things down.

At the end of the meeting, clarify if HR or you should confirm the meeting minutes by email afterwards. If HR, ensure you agree their notes and correct any mis-reporting or vagueness.

[Figgygal]

Why aren't HR attending the meeting? If I was them I'd be trying to work out what he was up to

[daimbar]

Thanks for the support everyone.

Incredibly nervous about Monday. It's strange he hasn't even bothered to reply to my email.

He's been at the company 7 years and I've only been there 7 months. Other colleagues have described him as a 'funny fish' but I have no idea how he's perceived by leadership.

The HR lady isn't around on Monday but advised me to take notes and she will come to a meeting later in the week if necessary .

[daimbar]

Feeling tempted not to go into work for the meeting tomorrow and just never go back again. Do I really have a chance of keeping my job if he's already interviewing to replace me?

I am employable with good experience and references so should have no trouble finding another job.

WWYD?!

[iMatter]

Just caught up on this thread.

Please do go in for the meeting otherwise he's won. I would get him to explain himself - otherwise you'll never know what was going on.

Perhaps you could ask to reschedule when the HR person is in the office so they can accompany you?

Even if you decide to leave I think you should go to the meeting.

Lots and lots of positive vibes and luck

[Atenco]

Perhaps you could ask to reschedule when the HR person is in the office so they can accompany you

That sounds like a good idea. Not a meeting worth having if there are no witnesses, IMHO.

[BreatheDeep]

Does he have a boss you could have a 'grandfather' meeting with? We have them once a year at least so the higher levels know how their direct reports are viewed by the teams they manage

[daimbar]

Thanks all. I had a little wobble earlier but I will go to the meeting. I'm planning to try a positive approach:

My questions will be;

'What happened for things to go so downhill so fast when you only had positive feedback in the first 6 months?'

'What exactly would I need to do to reassure you of my competence in the role before the end of March?'

Boss reports directly to the CEO (who I get on well with) so I am considering having a quiet word with him to say how passionate I am about the company etc and how I feel I've made many positive gains. There's nothing to lose..

[daimbar]

As for rescheduling the meeting, HR aren't free until Thursday and it would be all kinds of awkward not to address the issue before then.

I will email my boss straight afterwards bulleting the points made and copy HR in.

[SmellyChristmasCandles]

Can you record the meeting at all? Or have somebody else there as a witness. I would be concerned that he will deny whatever is said at the meeting and then it becomes your word against his.

[daimbar]

Oh blimey smelly I could probably get a recording app on my phone.

Is that a bit extreme though and likely to put his back up? Or did you mean record it in secret?

[ExitPursuedBySpartacus]

Good luck for tomorrow. He sounds a right piece of work.

Can you take a colleague in with you?

[daimbar]

Hmmm exit the rest of the team are all junior to me so that wouldn't be appropriate.

I think it's best to meet him tomorrow alone and if he's as slippery as usual then have all future meetings with HR.

Thanks everyone again - it really helps to vent on here as I can't say anything at work

[MouseClogs]

Best of luck, OP, and do update us.

[daimbar]

Thanks Mouse I will do. Had a terrible nights sleep and woken with a cold but at least the meeting is first thing so can get it over with.

My main purpose now is to be strong and professional. I will be really annoyed with myself if I cry.