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Lost my job in probationary period so upset

52 replies

Tropics4 · 12/11/2019 19:01

Dear mumsnetters
Just to explain, started a new job in a different field (slightly) worked in financial sector for 12 years, recently made redundant with half my team from a job I had loved and excelled in due to a merger. So I started with a new company, an LLP. I am supporting 3 partners, it's busy! Previous post holder regularly worked overtime and had gradually built up to the full role over 7 years. I say this to explain a little why I struggled in the first few weeks, very little training, super busy and by their own admission I had been dropped in the deep end at an incredibly busy time. First month went well, first review excellent. Then I made a couple of mistakes and it is here I need your views. 1) whilst primting a large number of emails for one partner I forgot the original email and just printed attachment.2) I removed a work at home diary block whilst putting in a meeting (it was a call) and was agreed it could go in there, quickly reinstated the block out. 3) Didn't chase hard enough on a meeting rrequest 4) sent an email message to ask partner to call but forgot international dialling code, all this over a month. In the midst of all this I managed a very heavy work load without any serions mistakes. Today I was told that they would not be keeping me due to my mistakes. I held it together, finally broke down and had to go home. Are these really bad mistakes? I've sort of lost my confidence and perespective, once one mistake was bought to my attention it made me nervous and I compounded it ..I think. It's been an awful year, mum died, other things, previous job loss as posted, please help me with some perspective?

OP posts:
RummidgeGeneral · 12/11/2019 19:04

They sound like horrible employers. You will find better out there. I hope they struggle to replace you.

Loopytiles · 12/11/2019 19:06

Sorry this has happened. Not a lot you can do about it. Lawyers can be notoriously demanding and bad employers!

BuildBuildings · 12/11/2019 19:11

I don't think they sound like huge mistakes by any means. The sound like awful employers. If they know they've thrown you in at the deep end I'd hope they'd be more understanding. Sounds like they don't care.

purplepalace · 12/11/2019 19:12

These are really not bad mistakes, don't lose your confidence. They sound like horrible and petty employers and you have probably dodged bullet here.

Difficultcustomer · 12/11/2019 19:20

So sorry they let you go.

Did you have any kind of feedback in between the reviews? Were there any serious consequences from what seem like small mistakes? Even if you don’t have employment law rights (unless there was discrimination under a protected characteristic) is there any internal appeal procedure?

Sarcelle · 12/11/2019 19:23

You have seriously dodged a bullet. You might not think so now but you have.

Scrub this memory from your mind. Remember the success you had in your previous career. That is you. Seriously who wants to work with a lot of petty tyrants.

Fingers crossed you find a better role soon, with better employers.

Mamia15 · 12/11/2019 19:25

Bloody hell - good luck to them in finding a replacement that won't make these small mistakes in similar circumstances.

TheTruthAboutLove · 12/11/2019 19:36

They aren’t bad mistakes in the slightest, just a result of being pushed and the lack of training and direction.

I know it hurts now but please remember you are so much better off out of it and that place - if someone is let go for this reason I can’t imagine any successors lasting long. You’ll be a fantastic asset for any company, don’t let this one negative experience cloud that.

Bringonspring · 12/11/2019 19:40

Not bad my mistakes at all, I work for a LLP and I wish my PA only did this. Honestly sounds like you dodged a bullet but I get why you are upset-feels like a personal rejection.

It’s hard to see now but we all learn through these things, so next time when interviewing, how will they support you in getting up to speed/training, can you have a buddy for the period, can they gradually add to your responsibilities rather than start all at once etc.

EnglishRain · 12/11/2019 19:44

Oh sweet they sound horrible to work for. I think you are best away from there. It doesn't sound like any of those mistakes were that bad? I wonder if they just used them to nitpick and have potentially realised they don't want the role filled after all?

NotaWagon · 12/11/2019 19:45

First, my sincere sympathies, a very similar thing happened to me about 3 years ago. I was let go 5 months in to a 6 month probation. They look me on before a busy time and it was hectic. They fired me just as it was less busy and i was getting to grips with it all.

Like you i know i made a few mistakes but they gave everything i did/said a negative interpretation rather than a positive one.

They destroyed my confidence, my initiative and left me feeling used and angry.

So OP i feel for you right now.

Your next job can only be better. It will be.

NotStayingIn · 12/11/2019 19:46

I'm so sorry this has happened to you, that's horrible. I completely understand why its knocked your confidence.

It's not you though so try and not let it get to you. If they are THIS picky over a few small mistakes whilst someone is still finding their feet they will be horrid to work for. You've had a lucky escape.

NotaWagon · 12/11/2019 19:47

I agree with @Bringonspring i have a much better job now. More challenging but i was supported. I asked a lot of questions about support getting up to speed in the interview.

LifeBeginsNow · 12/11/2019 19:47

Something similar happened to me and I'm grateful it happened so early on. It wasn't pleasant and it still plays on my mind at times but I think the working atmosphere in a place like that would just get worse.

The truth is, they will burn through many employees trying to find the one that takes to it instantly. That's unlikely to ever happen and it doesn't sound like they'll give it any thought to improve the situation. Fuck'um!

Curtainly · 12/11/2019 19:48

It sounds horrendous, I've worked as a PA, and none of these would have been seen as big mistakes. It sounds like you have had a lucky escape, although it probably doesn't feel like it at the moment. Flowers

itstrue · 12/11/2019 19:55

No not big mistakes at all. That's 1 a week.

I'd be thankful that they let you go so quickly. Because a few more months or years working in that environment would permanently damage your mental health.

econowifey · 12/11/2019 20:02

That's rotten, hope you find a nicer place to work soon Thanks

Tropics4 · 12/11/2019 20:12

Oh my goodness! I cannot thank you all enough for your support! Just to say none of tihis was client facing so really no harm done at all. Yes my confidence has hit rock bottom, I think I am still reeling from losing my mum and last week when I made three of the four mistakes ..it would have been her birthday and I guess I was a little distracted. My previous two employers thought the world of me, perhaps this is the why I'm sort of in shock. I left early today after crying and then falling over my desk! It would have made a greal Bridget Jones moment.. but I have to go back in tomorrow and face the shame of being "the incompetent one". Your messages will help bolster me, thank you again! X

OP posts:
Candycanes246 · 12/11/2019 20:17

My DP works for a company just like the one you describe... Trust me you have dodged a HUGE bullet. He lives I fear of ridiculous things like a typo on an ENTERNAL email, or not responding to something within 20 minutes even out of working time. It would only have got worse over time, and shattered your self-esteem.
It's natural that you feel your confidence has been knocked, but trust in yourself and your track record, it is not you it's them. Something better for you will come along.

Tropics4 · 12/11/2019 20:43

That is exactly how I feel candycanes, I was trying to be cool and last the day, they anyway want me to stay and finish my contract but I became a wreck, fearful of the slightest mistake, then just cried, not prettily! And in leaving for the day was blinded by tears and fell over everything! Also I just remembered I was accused of mistaking a meeting for a call, I had not, I booked a room, plus a conference line, but because the meeting had the title "call" in it as well as the room it was in, (was the usual way in my last company) it was looked on as wrong. You are right, I think they would gradually destroy me. I have to eork there until at least end December 😯

OP posts:
StinkyBritches · 12/11/2019 21:06

I can partially see why they didn't carry on the probation as these littles mistakes and omission of details, especially in a law firm, can be a very significant matter.

The main takeaway from it is that you can't do anything about a poor employer before 2 years in their employment (I know, I've been there), so just chin up, don't let it get you down, move forward.

Tropics4 · 12/11/2019 21:27

Hi Stinkybitches, it was not actually a law firm, I know I should have done better and probably will going forwards because now the worst thing that can happen has, I guess I was just so nervous, not too sure why, I think I will have to be careful that next time I don't take this with me on that I become a wreck. I think I will look for a job in a less demanding role, just scared re the reference now ..

OP posts:
flowery · 12/11/2019 21:29

”My previous two employers thought the world of me”

Hold on to that as being a more reliable and accurate assessment of your abilities and value.

You’ve been through a difficult time personally (which would cause anyone to make mistakes), have probably therefore not been quite up to your usual high standard, and that has unfortunately coincided with starting work for a demanding employer without previous evidence of your value.

This isn’t the ‘real’ you, so chalk it up to a perfect storm of things that don’t reflect what you are usually like at work.

Tropics4 · 12/11/2019 21:33

Thank you flowery. .I will try to do that.

OP posts:
AJPTaylor · 12/11/2019 21:38

Chuck it in the fuck it bucket and move on.
I had a similar thing but got my resignation in. Its them not you.