Process for sacking due to poi performance

[Itscurtainsforyou]

I'm having problems doing my work to the standard my boss requires. They're very picky (& a bit over the top) but ultimately they're the boss so if I'm not performing to their standard, it's a problem. I'm completely sleep deprived which is part of the reason I'm not performing well. I worked there for 3 years before mat leave where I didn't have these problems.

They've not formally started any performance improvement process. Do they need to start a formal process before they try to get rid of me? How does it work?

I am truly doing my best re sleep and the impact on my performance but I don't think it's going to improve overnight.

I would be looking for a new job and getting out pronto! Not easy but don't stay!

I had a change in mgmt who took me down the formal route and eventually dismissed me for poor performance. At the time I felt ashamed and embarrassed, this was my first proper job. I recognise now that I was bullied, alienated from the team and set impossible tasks (ie when filing, any errors in things filed even one place incorrectly was marked against me and used as evidence).

I later found out that this mgr had a history of dismissing staff, everyone I worked with was eventually transferred or dismissed with her "old" team replacing us all.

Sometimes you can't win, but make sure you get evidence of poor performance, don't go into these meetings alone, do you have a union rep to support you. I hope someone will come along soon and provide the information around hr regulations. Good luck and I hope you get it sorted out and whilst I was gutted to have been sacked, I was much happier to not be in the toxic environment that I had been so desperate to succeed in!!!

Thanks
It's tricky because while I am making minor mistakes (that I'd prefer to not be making) I also believe the boss has exceptionally high standards (that no one meets).

It's getting to the point where I'm asked to do something and (inside) I think what's the point, I'll only do it wrong

It's completely putting me off working in this area (that I've been in for years) but definitely can't afford to move into something else as it would need to start as voluntary or start at the bottom of the ladder/pay scale.

I guess what I need to work out is how long I have before I'm pushed out. Hopefully if performance monitoring is necessary before being sacked (as long as I don't make a major error) I have a bit of time to make a plan.

Larger companies would have a performance management process - check your paperwork or intranet. This would include formal reviews of targets and achievements and strategies for improvement (ie. Support, training, reviewing your responsibilities ). Usually it takes a long time to dismiss someone this way. It may be better to tackle it head on and informally tell your manager you feel you are struggling and that your sleep issue may be affecting your work. If it is a health problem maybe occupational health could be involved. Is this role one you feel you should be able to cope with or are there others within the same organisation or outside which might suit you better for now?

Thanks - I'll check the paperwork next week. No other roles unfortunately, it's a small business with a number of specialist skills (of which I am one).

I will mention it to the boss next week (I'm sure it'll come up). We don't have occ health, but tbh I'm not sure what they could do if we did. I'm not sleeping because my child doesn't sleep well (oh and I alternate nights of dealing with this), child has had a number of health/breathing problems so we can't let them cry it out etc.

Just feel like life is spiralling out of control, work, sleep etc

Find another job. You know your performance is under par so it is far better to move than wait to be pushed. If you feel rubbish now you'll feel even worse if you go through a formal dismissal procedure.

Things change. Best to just go with the flow and let it go/move to pastures new.

I think you're right, I'm just terrified that I won't be up to scratch in the next job either
My self worth/confidence is rock bottom at the moment

There is nothing worse and more demoralising than to be put through the microscope of performance review. It can be used to magnify any misdemeanours to suit an agenda, even though they were originally intended to give the person support to get back on track, and to prevent going down the disciplinary route.

If you aren't heavily invested in this job, and if you aren't near to or already completed 2 years (which will have earned you statutory employment rights), I would suggest finding a new job. Wipe the slate clean and learn from the past.

Sounds to me like you're making small mistakes just like everyone else, but you're being bullied. Something similar happened to me and I doubted myself for a bit, but it was someone who wanted to get rid of me.

If you're work is generally good, but you're making some mistakes, don't go and admit that your under-performing. It doesn't sound to me like you are. Believe in yourself.

"It can be used to magnify any misdemeanours to suit an agenda, even though they were originally intended to give the person support to get back on track, and to prevent going down the disciplinary route. "

Yes, the performance review process itself can be used to bully people. You could look at anyone at work and make a list of their mistakes and supposed failings if you wanted to.

"You know your performance is under par "

Does OP really know that or is it just what the new boss is saying?

I work in the civil service and in the last few years poor performance has been the excuse used to get rid of people whose races don't fit. As a union rep I always advise that you ask your manager exactly what it is that you are failing in, what evidence they have of the failure, and what you need to do to improve - an action plan which sets out what, how, and by when. If you stick to the action plan to the letter and your manager still claims you are under performing, you will have the evidence in the form of the action plan to show that you are meeting the expectations that they have set out.

Good luck

*faces not races. Although it is also discriminatory and BME staff are more likely to be targeted...

Has the boss actually said there is a performance issue OP or are you catastrophising after your mistakes have been picked up? Because I'm getting a slight vibe of you not wanting to return to work after maternity leave but having to because of finances (which is absolutely understandable)?

I could be completely off-track here, but if there are problems outside of work then it's sometimes easy to transfer your worries on to something concrete like your role at work rather than uncertain issues (such as your child's breathing, I hope they are doing OK )

Go easy on yourself, do you have an appraisal or similar next week which is why you think the matter will be raised?

You sound like you've given up and have accepted the inevitable that it won't improve and you will be fired. However it's clear you can't afford to be fired.

Instead of worrying about how long before it happens, is there anything you can do to improve the situation? Have someone check your work maybe?

What do you do that you say your boss has high standards? Surely doing it right is what's important and if the work is error strewn then this is an issue. Can you slow down and take more care?

Do you want to be fired? Deep down? Do you just not want to do it anymore due to the situation at home? And if so can you cope financially?

Hi thanks for the replies, I'll try to answer all questions etc.

• I've worked there 5 years
• I didn't mind going back after mat leave, as I quite like working, LO has settled well into nursery and I'm not sure I could stay at home 5 days (currently work 4 days).
• Financially definitely can't afford for me not to work
• been told that the quality of written work (e.g. Formatting, typos etc) is not good enough. I do get it checked by others, so must've missed stuff/had stuff fall through the cracks etc.
• boss is generally picky with high standards, which is fine, I think quality is important, but it seems like I'm just not seeing obvious errors etc. We've had some very tight deadlines and I've worked into the evenings/wkd to try to get stuff done, but feel that despite putting in lots of effort I'm just not managing to meet expectations
• I am struggling with work-life balance tbh, could do with halfing my working hours but can't afford it and work would never agree to it.

"I work in the civil service and in the last few years poor performance has been the excuse used to get rid of people whose races don't fit."

Yes, and also the CPR meetings themselves are used to bully people. I've seen people crying coming out of them.

"been told that the quality of written work (e.g. Formatting, typos etc) is not good enough. I do get it checked by others, so must've missed stuff/had stuff fall through the cracks etc."

EVERYBODY makes typos OP and formatting is very subjective. You might have a boss who expects you to format in exactly the way he would, but that's not really possible as you're a different person. If other people aren't seeing these mistakes either, they're obviously very minor and he/she's just being picky. Don't let your boss make you believe you're no good.

Curtains do you have dyslexia or other challenges like that? Your employers should give you support if so.

Don't lose confidence. Organisations can hollow you out with stuff like this - try not to allow any excessive criticism make you feel bad x

I bet they don't like you working four days. I think quite often mums are seen as not really needing to work by the older generation. (So it won't matter if they have to leave...)

Thanks so much for all the messages.

I do actually have dyslexia, but I've never mentioned it to work (not sure how they'd react if I suddenly brought it up), maybe think I was making excuses?

I'm trying to be positive, seeing this week as a new week. I'm dreading seeing my boss as I'll get a long list of what's wrong with my work (& how to fix it, which I don't mind obviously) and spread the rest of the time trying to put it right. But I know I'm going in under a cloud a bit and almost anticipating what I'm going to do wrong next.

I think I'm going to have a long hard think about what else I could do jobwise, as I'm feeling so demoralised.

Maybe now is a good time to mention your dyslexia. In fact it is very important, because when you disclose it, the company has to help you with any reasonable adjustments. And you are protected in law against being dismissed for having a condition like dyslexia.

Did you get a formal diagnosis. If so your GP could vouch for your situation. Nowadays companies have to recognise these challenges. Your boss needs to be more understanding.

Op do you not use spell check? Does that not help? I don't understand how if you use that and have others check typos are still getting through.

Thanks
My diagnosis was about 20 years ago. I've probably still got the report somewhere, although it wasn't done through the gp.

I do use a spell check. I can only assume that it was acronyms, technical words, poor punctuation etc. Or using the wrong form of words ( missing -ed, -ing etc off words, I do this often, sometimes catch them when proofreading but sometimes not, it's like I'm blind to them).

Were you working 5 days prior to maternity leave? If so have your duties/responsibilities reduced by 20% or are they now expecting the same amount of work from you in 4 days causing you to rush and cram the work into your working hours?

No I've always worked 4 days for this company. But we've had some very tight timescales recently. So that's probably not helped.