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.

[SoFedUpOfPeople]

Ugh. Contact the guy in hr and see what he says. Document events and good luck!

[daimbar]

Ok thanks Nelly - the HR lady I have been speaking to isn't available until Thursday so would you suggest trying to delay the meeting until then or involving another colleague?

As far as I know nobody else in the business is aware of the situation.

[Atenco]

I think the point is for you to have a credible witness, so why not see if the assistant HR can attend.

[Nellyphants]

I'd email HR with an outline of what's happening associated. It doesn't need to be very long you can fill in more detail later

I'd postpone until the HR person is available.

If your boss disputes this or tries to pressure you into a meeting I'd prepare a stock phrase such 'I want to wait until HR is available, I want to wait until HR is Available.

Im on leave today, not using work time!

[UnexpectedItemInShaggingArea]

I would not meet with him alone, but I don't know how you can delay it until Thursday.

What a wanker.

[SorrelSoup]

I was on your thread at the start. I can't believe its gone like this! What a horrible man! I would send a new meeting request to him, the HR manager, hr assistant *if that's all there is in hr). Do not meet with him. Document everything and send it to the HR assistant and the HR manager. Cancel the current meeting. Spend time getting all your evidence together. Get hold of all the relevant policies and highlight relevant areas.

[LovelyBaubles]

To be honest, I'd try to move the meeting until the HR manager is back.

Although worth remembering that they (hr) work for the business just as much as your boss does. They may not have your best interests at heart but can at least advise on business HR policy.

If it has to happen today, get the HR assistant in to take minutes. Record the meeting if possible - tell him you are going to do it.

During the meeting, remember you can ask to take a break for a couple of minutes, if it becomes overwhelming.

Try to stay calm and non emotive.

Good luck.

[iMatter]

You need to make sure that people are aware what's going on. People like this snake succeed because they are sneaky and no one knows what they are up to.

Def let the new HR person know and ask him to accompany you. He might then tell you to wait until Thursday if he thinks it's appropriate.

[daimbar]

Ok I have just been out for lunch with the PA to the CEO and Directors who is also my good friend.

She said if he was planning to terminate my employment today she would almost certainly know about it and she hasn't heard anything.

Therefore I will keep the meeting this afternoon and attempt my original positive stance 'how can we move forward?' - I don't want to antagonise him by inviting HR if there is a chance of salvaging our relationship.

[HelenDenver]

Good luck!

If it's too much, keep a stock phrase up your sleeves - "I think we should adjourn now and reconvene with HR present"

Write notes of the meeting straight after.

If you tell him you are recording, I would expect him to postpone.

[lauryloo]

Good luck at the meeting this afternoon

[Nellyphants]

I do think HR needs to be involved. HR should be made aware if there's any issue with privation both for the manager and/ or staff protection.

I like Helen's phrase too

I'm also relieved to hear that you are at least getting to talk about this with somebody else in the organisation.

[UnexpectedItemInShaggingArea]

Good luck!

[daimbar]

Thanks all for the good lucks.

He hasn't spoken a word to me all day. Got such a headache but determined to stay professional.

[OMGtwins]

Ypure handling this really well OP, shocking behaviour from your immediate boss. Remember, the big biases may be on your side but could never say it to you as that would weaken their position if they want to get rid of your immediate boss (and that is an of, they might tolerate him or even like him, who knows?)

Whatever you do, do not have this meeting without a witness or a recording of it.

Best of luck, and remember, if it gets awkward don't you talk to fill the space, take a sip of drink instead, or ask him to explain what he means...

[OMGtwins]

Ypure handling this really well OP, shocking behaviour from your immediate boss. Remember, the big biases may be on your side but could never say it to you as that would weaken their position if they want to get rid of your immediate boss (and that is an of, they might tolerate him or even like him, who knows?)

Whatever you do, do not have this meeting without a witness or a recording of it.

Best of luck, and remember, if it gets awkward don't you talk to fill the space, take a sip of drink instead, or ask him to explain what he means...

[Namechangeemergency]

Blimey.
I can't believe one person has so much autonomy when it comes to staff issues.
He can advertise a job and dismiss people without consultation?

How does he get away with it? He could be breaking all kinds of employment law and the first the company would know about it is when they get a solicitor's letter.

I agree with the PP who said he is probably just trying to take some control back by changing the time of the meeting.

[3luckystars]

Good luck today, stay strong. I think of my grandad in situations like this.
It sounds like you are coping very well in a difficult situation, well done. Keep going.

[SmellyChristmasCandles]

Sorry, I missed your response to my suggestion that you record the meeting. I would have said to do it openly if possible, but covertly if necessary. Hopefully meeting went well for you and all is well.

[Nellyphants]

Can I say don't record the meeting covertly. It is illegal to record somebody without their consent.

I've disciplined an employee for this.

Stay strong

[daimbar]

Right I'm out the meeting and I still have a job so that's a relief!

Main points he made were:

• he doesn't feel he's getting the best value for money he could for the salary I'm being paid

• he can't give me specifics of what he wants but he needs to 'feel' confident in the level of sophistication of my work

I asked if we could make my probation targets measurable but he said no ... he doesn't want me to just go away and do whatever needs to be done to pass probation. I just need to make him feel confident.

Apparently I did ruin his holiday by sending the email about finding my job online so that was pleasing. He said he hates having these convos and finds them very stressful.

I'm still not entirely clear what he wants from me so I will defo involve HR for any future meetings.

Thanks again everyone.

[SocksRock]

It's not illegal to record someone without their consent. There are limits to what you can do with the recording but making it isn't illegal on its own. Tribunals also do sometimes allow covert recordings to be used if relevance can be shown.

www.stephens-scown.co.uk/employment/employment-law-can-my-employee-record-our-conversations/

[SoFedUpOfPeople]

That doesn't sound right. What if he doesn't 'feel' right inaotne three months? How long should you have to put your pension off for? Targets need to be SMART and if you meet them then you are doing your job, surely?

[UnexpectedItemInShaggingArea]

What a load of bollocks. He's setting you up to fail if he can't give you specifics of where you are faking short.

"Feel confident" - that's a reflection of him not you. If you're meeting your objectives and targets and he doesn't feel confident then he needs to give you different ones.

How would he feel if he was given the same feedback? What would expect to do?

Sorry you are being put through this OP. I would make an appt with HR ASAP. He can't get away with this.

[kittybiscuits]

What a gigantic fuckwad. I don't suppose he's put any of that in writing? It's all about how he needs to feel about you. What a prick.