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Original poster

Moved abroad and sacked 4 months later

134 replies

WhatFreshHell71 · 09/10/2019 13:29

So, me, Dh and our dcs have moved abroad to an EU country. Dh had landed a great role with an multinational company.

We were happy at the chance to experience new way of life but it was a big decision for us. And an expensive one so far.

His contract stated six months probation. He had his three month probation meeting last week. No issues. Nothing was flagged. He'd been working really hard - late nights, one weekend etc.

Yesterday, he's been told his services are no longer required because of cost cutting direction from HO. No other reason was given.

He had to leave the building immediately as if he had done something wrong. He was mortified.

Apparently, he is entitled to nothing as it was during his probation period.

We are stunned. The dcs are in enrolled in school and are all happy there. Dd has started her GCSE course this year. Dh's job package was part payment of the school fees.

We've had to sign a three year rental agreement (that's the norm here).

And now we are utterly shafted by this completely out the blue sacking.

Any advice as to what we can do? It just seems totally unethical, not that that will have any weight.

OP posts:
Cordial11 · 09/10/2019 13:34

No advice sorry but I am sorry this has happened to you all. It sounds like a horrible situation and I hope you can find a solution Flowers

ToEarlyForDecorations · 09/10/2019 13:36

Could he write to his boss/Personnel Dept asking for an explanation ? Could an employment lawyer help him sue for unfair dismissal ?

blackcat86 · 09/10/2019 13:42

Did the company offer any incentives or head hunt him or did he apply for the job and head over there? It seems really unfair either way, I'm just thinking that if he was headhunted or promised incentives to move then it perhaps a solicitor could argue a case for you being left out of pocket

Clangus00 · 09/10/2019 13:42

It’s shit. I’m sorry that it’s all happened....but I don’t think I would’ve moved my entire family out until after the probationary period and the job was reasonably secure. Sorry.

Original poster
WhatFreshHell71 · 09/10/2019 13:43

He's writing to the HR department.

He's also writing to the Head of Department, going over the guy who actually sacked him. There was an HR representative in the sacking meeting, says dh, but she seemed uninformed about the situation. She actually apologised to dh when his senior guy left.

Dh refused to sign anything, saying he felt this was an ambush situation and that he had had no warnings or anything. In fact, it was all quite positive before yesterday.

It's just utterly bizarre.

Really anxious now about paying the rent and school fees. The school requires one term's notice before you can leave.

Surely they can't just leave us high and dry like this!

It's like a bad dream.

OP posts:
MrsMaiselsMuff · 09/10/2019 13:45

It depends on the employment law in your country.

In the UK that would be lawful, subject to the relevant notice period (which may be paid in lieu of working it).

Original poster
WhatFreshHell71 · 09/10/2019 13:47

Apparently, it's almost unheard of for people not to get through their probation period according to the agent who recruited dh. The agent is really upset about this and is utterly perplexed.

The recruiting team in the company were really pleased about us all moving over because it's rare for people of his seniority to be prepared to move countries with their families.

OP posts:
Original poster
WhatFreshHell71 · 09/10/2019 13:47

@MrsMaiselsMuff even without a valid reason for sacking someone?

OP posts:
MrsMaiselsMuff · 09/10/2019 13:51

Yes, in the first two years of employment, a person can be dismissed for no reason. The only exceptions are for discrimination due to a protected characteristics (gender, disability etc).

Original poster
WhatFreshHell71 · 09/10/2019 13:52

Wow.

OP posts:
MrsMaiselsMuff · 09/10/2019 13:53

It was only one year, the Tories and LibDems extended it to two.

Which country are you in?

Tensixtysix · 09/10/2019 13:54

Brexit?

Original poster
WhatFreshHell71 · 09/10/2019 14:04

With no formalities like warnings or anything? @MrsMaiselsMuff Luxembourg

OP posts:
Original poster
WhatFreshHell71 · 09/10/2019 14:04

No. Other British people have been employed / are employed.

OP posts:
ColdRainAgain · 09/10/2019 14:04

That sucks.
Given the age of your daughter, I'd say you need to make some fast decisions - stick it where you are for 2 years, and hope DH finds a new job, or shift back home pretty fast to get DD into a school in the UK as quickly as you can. Both require a calculated gamble about locations, and both have the potential to be very costly. Can you actually afford to move back?? We spent so much in the first few month in each new location.

Could you negotiate a reference, and them to pay you out of the notice on the school? I'm not sure what you do about a 3 year lease - maybe someone local can advise on getting out of that?

I hope everything works out for you.

HeyNotInMyName · 09/10/2019 14:08

What contract and employemnet laws is he under? British or the ones from Luxembourg?
because thye will be very different.

Fatshedra · 09/10/2019 14:13

I would think they will have committed to a year of education for your DC. Or are you paying?

LesLavandes · 09/10/2019 14:17

Are you in France OP?

Original poster
WhatFreshHell71 · 09/10/2019 14:18

@Fatshedra it was two years of paying for 50% of school fees.

OP posts:
Original poster
WhatFreshHell71 · 09/10/2019 14:34

@ColdRainAgain we can't afford to do anything extra right now.

The man sacking him (senior colleague) said he was "lucky "the firm are prepared to waive the relocation costs. 😮 We paid for half of those.

I'm in shock. Trying not to panic.

OP posts:
Original poster
WhatFreshHell71 · 09/10/2019 14:35

Dh has always been a bit of a boy wonder at work. Always got every job he's gone for. Got senior in profession. Well regarded etc.

It's just bullshit this.

OP posts:
flowery · 09/10/2019 14:40

Unless it was specifically negotiated into his contract (which it often is with relocations), the fact that you all relocated and spent thousands/disrupted the family for this job doesn't give your DH any additional employment rights, or make this any 'worse' from a legal point of view.

Check his contract carefully to make sure he has been given any notice he is entitled to/check any clauses about termination during probation period to make sure they have been followed.

I have no knowledge about Luxembourg employment law, assuming he is employed under that jurisdiction rather than the UK.

If it is UK law, then an employer is perfectly entitled to dismiss someone during probation (or at any time up to two years' service) without even giving a reason, as long as the correct notice is being paid. I would imagine the rights of an employee still in probation are likely to be similarly very limited in Luxembourg, although as I said, I have no knowledge of that legal jurisdiction at all.

Bluntness100 · 09/10/2019 14:43

Op, are you sure he's telling you the full story? The fact the person who sacked him has said that your husband was lucky he didn't have to pay back relocation and the fact he had to leave the building immediately would indicate very strongly indeed that there is more to this and this is dismissal for gross misconduct.

If this was just cost cutting he'd work out his notice and they wouldn't be nasty about it.

Somethings not right here.

Original poster
WhatFreshHell71 · 09/10/2019 14:46

@flowery relocation costs were part of the contract.

OP posts:
MrsMaiselsMuff · 09/10/2019 14:48

My knowledge of Luxembourg's employment law is rudimentary, and I would strongly advise speaking to a specialist solicitor.

My understanding is that Luxembourg has far better employment rights than the UK. Unfortunately these do not apply in the trial period, and as such he has no recourse to a court. He is entitled to notice pay.