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Original poster

I lost my job yesterday.

104 replies

auldfuckingspinster · 20/01/2017 15:52

Dismissed due to 'poor performance' as there was a particular aspect of my job I couldn't master. Had worked there since February 1998. Shell-shocked.

OP posts:
Hoppinggreen · 20/01/2017 15:55

Ask for this to be moved to Employment issues
Having been there for over 2 years you have rights and there are procedures that have to be followed
There are some brilliant employment lawyers and HR specialists on there who can advise you

ImperialBlether · 20/01/2017 15:55

Oh you poor thing. What a shock. Did they train you properly?

Original poster
auldfuckingspinster · 20/01/2017 16:02

They've gone through the correct procedures but I had mitigating circumstances which they didn't consider mitigating enough. Training was pretty haphazard and disorganised. I have 10 days to appeal. Am single so no other source of income.

OP posts:
Original poster
auldfuckingspinster · 20/01/2017 16:03

Oh and it was the Civil Service. My mum said it's very hard to get the sack from the Civil Service, gee thanks mum!

OP posts:
JaxingJump · 20/01/2017 16:05

Oh no OP, I'm so sorry to hear that. You must be in shock.

Take some time to recover and think about your next move. Let us know if you want to chat it through.

Original poster
auldfuckingspinster · 20/01/2017 16:09

It was an admin role and I've got loads of transferable skills so I plan to start temping as I look for something permanent. Getting 3 months pay in lieu of notice so have a small cushion.

OP posts:
Longdistance · 20/01/2017 16:12

Are you in a union? If so call, asap.

Contact ACAS too, they should be able to help with employment law.

I'm sure there are procedures before someone can be sacked i.e; warnings (written/verbal), before they can sack you for poor performance.

UnbornMortificado · 20/01/2017 16:14

It's not hard at all to get sacked from the civil service. Trust me.

Did your job title have po in by any chance?

Dementedswan · 20/01/2017 16:15

Hang on you've been there 19 years and that was the reason? Had they changed your job recently?

TheNaze73 · 20/01/2017 16:17

Nothing to add other than my best wishes. Hope you bounce back double quick Flowers

Ellisisland · 20/01/2017 16:24

Firstly I am so sorry Flowers really hope that you are ok.

Secondly what process did they follow? Were you given chances to be trained or any kind of performance management? You have rights after being there for so long so I would definitely contact Acas

icy121 · 20/01/2017 16:26

Check your home insurance, it often covers an employment solicitor for this eventuality. I would see a sol anyway, mind you.

Idefix · 20/01/2017 16:29

Have you spoken to to your union rep? Could you not look for another civil service role that will enable you to continue your final salary pension etc? Was the skill a new skill or one that was on the original job specification?

Can totally understand why you would be reeling from this.

feebeecat · 20/01/2017 16:30

It 'used' to be hard to get sacked from the civil service, not anymore - they seem to be on some sort of mission to thin people out.
I know quite a few this has happened to recently. Once the initial shock has worn off, every single one of them has said its the best thing that has happened to them. I hope it goes the same way for you too Flowers

Original poster
auldfuckingspinster · 20/01/2017 16:34

I've gone through written warnings, the decision meeting was last week and I was notified yesterday. Am a union member (used to be a rep), they've been very good - gonna speak to most experienced rep on Monday about an appeal.

Was basically set up to fail as the option to move wasn't given. Have long term problems with anxiety and depression which affect concentration (as do my meds), functioned well in other aspects of my job. Had difficult relationship with my line manager but she went on maternity leave in August and everything changed for the better when her replacement came in.

OP posts:
MadMags · 20/01/2017 16:36

What are the mitigating circumstances? Did other people in similar roles manage to get trained up on it?

Hope you find something soon!

Original poster
auldfuckingspinster · 20/01/2017 16:37

Feebeecat am trying to look on it as a positive, probably stayed there too long and wasn't happy for a long time. Was what used to be called a Clerical Officer.

OP posts:
Original poster
auldfuckingspinster · 20/01/2017 16:39

Mitigating circumstances were the impairments due to anxiety and depression. Reasonable adjustments weren't offered.

OP posts:
Palomb · 20/01/2017 16:44

In the 19 years you've worked there have you ever been able to do the task or have you lost the ability with your mental illness? Or is it a new task all together?

Maybe look on the bright side that you'll be able to look for something that better suits you. It must have been very stressful to have been doing a job you couldn't manage. I can't imagine it dod much for your anxiety, either.

Hope you find something better soon Flowers

Want2bSupermum · 20/01/2017 16:48

Hold on - did you have a final salary pension with this role? If so, appeal. You can not get those roles anymore and they have probably looked to remove you because of the cost of your pension if you continue working there until retirement.

Def get this on the employment board and follow up with the advice upthread.

Lynnm63 · 20/01/2017 16:50

Could you consider medical retirement? You get an enhanced pension and nothing stopping you from doing some work later. Check with your union see if it's possible even being sacked doesn't stop prevent that option.

Floggingmolly · 20/01/2017 16:52

Is the problematic part of your job a relatively new task; you say you couldn't "master" it?
Ditto the anxiety and depression, has this been a constant thing? Tbh, 19 years is a long time to expect your employs to adjust your role to mitigate this... Confused

Shakey15000 · 20/01/2017 16:57

Was it a recently implemented procedure/system? Are there other people doing the same thing? And yes, were you trained adequately?

UnbornMortificado · 20/01/2017 17:03

Auld I lost mine for too much sickness. I had a breakdown when my son died.

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 20/01/2017 17:08

Auld I lost mine for too much sickness. I had a breakdown when my son died.

That is shocking, UnbornMortificado. I'm sorry to hear that the Civil Service is now such a shitty place to work.