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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:
milveycrohn · 11/10/2019 10:29

I worked in IT. Very common to be escorted from premises immediately.
If you resign, then gardening leave is becoming a more frequent event.
The exceptions being where a handover is required.

Whattodofgs · 11/10/2019 10:40

As someone who moved abroad with Dh for work you have all my sympathy. No idea legally where you stand but we wouldn't have been able to cope with this either.

Was there any sort of agreement you had to stay so long?

We had agreed to stay a year or payback relocation costs. I don't know if they had any commitments on their side but this thread has definitely made me think! Blush

Breathlessness · 11/10/2019 10:48

Where did the two who hired him go? Obviously they left, but are they still within his industry? Have they got new appointments elsewhere yet? Could your DH get in touch with them? If they got on with your DH they might be able to point him in the direction of other opportunities or at least give references.

SnowsInWater · 11/10/2019 11:11

What a nightmare! Have you managed to get any legal advice? There must be precedent for this type of situation, I really hope you manage to sort something whether that is a new job or some level of compensation.

MissEliza · 11/10/2019 14:57

I'm sorry for you but sadly this can happen. My dh's ex-boss was a real star in the company. He moved to a very senior role in the company HQ last year, moving his wife and three kids halfway around the world and was made redundant after three months. His relocation costs home were not paid for by the company. It's shitty.
Thus is why you have to move cautiously when you relocate especially with older dcs in education.

KatherineJaneway · 12/10/2019 10:39

Did you sign specific paperwork regarding relocation costs?

WhatFreshHell71 · 13/10/2019 09:30

No. All part of the contract.

OP posts:
econowifey · 15/10/2019 07:33

How are you doing? Thanks

WhatFreshHell71 · 17/10/2019 14:00

Not too bad @econowifey. Thanks for asking.

HR arecurrently conducting an investigation into the process as dh has flagged a few irregularities in the 'process' his manager followed and also their disregarding of one clause in his contract.

We're not at all optimistic they'll support our thoughts on this but we are thinking about contacting an employment lawyer next. Dh has started his new job search. Everything else on hold, in limbo.

What a nasty shock!

OP posts:
NWQM · 17/10/2019 16:48

Id really echo the thought of contacting an employment lawyer. It can work wonders - just that they are involved - but also you can feel that you've done everything.

Before contacting one though it would probably be helpful to decide what your husband wants. If they agree they did something contractually incorrect what does a victory then look like. Does he want his relocation costs paid back here? Does he want his job back? Etc

LizB62A · 17/10/2019 17:09

Contact an employment lawyer anyway - even if he can't get his job back (he might not want it back !) there may be a way to get them to agree to paying for a notice period which might soften the financial blow a tiny bit....

WhatFreshHell71 · 17/10/2019 18:04

Yes.

We are waiting for HR to send the final report and then we will contact the employment lawyer.

He doesn't want the job back. But he's listed reinstatement in his list of options.

Will keep you posted.

Thank you for all your insights.

OP posts:
WhatFreshHell71 · 18/10/2019 15:29

They've offered 22k relocation fees back to UK as a goodwill gesture.

Their response didn't really address all the issues dh has flagged.

Not sure what to do really.

OP posts:
LazyDaisey · 18/10/2019 15:54

I’d accept and negotiate them paying for the school fees you’re forced to pay too.

LazyDaisey · 18/10/2019 15:56

Sorry, pressed post too. I read that as the corporate way of admitting an error without admitting anything legally but acknowledging they want to make this go away because they know legal fees will amount to as much. Press for school fees to be paid.

WhatFreshHell71 · 18/10/2019 19:08

Dh isn't sure what to do. Mostly because they haven't really answered his questions about a particular clause in his contract.

He may well press for school fees.

Poor dd. I really hope her GCSEs course isn't interrupted.

OP posts:
NWQM · 18/10/2019 20:39

Obviously it's difficult without knowing the context of what was awarded as moving costs but on principle I'd say push for more with all your costs being at least your starting point.

WhatFreshHell71 · 19/10/2019 07:54

They've said the offer is a gesture of goodwill only and is non negotiable.

I really want to just move on from this now but dh says we need more money to get through this.

OP posts:
KatherineJaneway · 19/10/2019 08:09

Before you meet with the employment lawyer, you need to cost out how much it will realistically cost you to live while things are being sorted and for repatriation costs and discuss that with him / her. It is surprising the number of smaller costs that have to be met that can massively increase the repatriation cost in total.

For example if all your items were shipped over by sea, you have to factor what is usually 4 to 6 weeks to get your possessions back to the UK and stay in some form of serviced apartment while they are shipped back.

YeOldeTrout · 19/10/2019 08:16

Is this middle east? My mind boggles at having to sign a 3 yr rental contract.

econowifey · 19/10/2019 08:32

Glad they've offered something. But yes as per previous poster and husband, I guess you'd have to work out the sums. Good luck

Clangus00 · 19/10/2019 09:31

@YeOldeTrout it’s Luxembourg.

Aridane · 19/10/2019 09:39

Please don't read anything on being required to leave there and then. Utterly standard in certain companies / sectors - eg financial services. It is not an aspersion on DH's character and integrity

Aridane · 19/10/2019 09:40

Get legal advice ASAP, with perhaps a particular focus on relocation costs. Do not delay on this - please! You can not afford not to get legal advice

Aridane · 19/10/2019 09:41

Are there any other opportunities available in Luxembourg ?

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