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Original poster

I just lost my job this morning...

18 replies

paddingtonbear1 · 02/01/2008 14:24

I'd only been there 4 months and hadn't even come to the end of the probationary period. I work in IT as a programmer. Basically they said compared to others with my skill set who had been there a similar length of time, I was too slow in picking things up and didn't take the deadlines seriously. My actual skills didn't match my cv.
They weren't very interested in what I had to say - the decision had been made and they just wanted me out. I'd had a feeling for a month or so that I didn't fit in - they didn't seem to like me much and ignored me a lot of the time. I was told today that I hadn't put my hand up and asked when I was stuck. When I did this though, I got 'well so and so can do it' - which just made me feel more stupid and less inclined to ask. I was supposed to have a mentor but they were always too busy.
I guess I've just got to accept my face didn't fit and I wasn't cut out for it, but I feel a bit in shock and just like a failure really. I've had several jobs in IT up to this point and never had complaints about my work before. This was a more senior job so I guess I was out of my depth. I wanted more of a challenge - guess it was a step too far. I didn't lie in the interview or on my CV.
Just been looking at jobs - the IT job market is pants atm. great.

OP posts:

SpawnChorus · 02/01/2008 14:28

Oh poor you!! That's really crap isn't it?

Sounds like you're being very level headed about it though. I'm sure something good will turn up for you as the job market warms up in the New Year.

You're not a failure at all for losing this job. It's all part of life's rich tapestry (as my Dad likes to say )

MaLopez · 02/01/2008 14:30

IT market will start picking up soon, or so I keep telling myself. Their loss. You will find something better. If they chose to hire you on the basis of your honest CV then they did a crap job of matching you to the job and has nothing to do with your skills. I admire you for facing a challenge. Don't let this put you off. I am off to scour Jobserve and send off my target of 1 CV a day

MrsWeasleysmagicmincepies · 02/01/2008 14:32

oh Paddingtonbear How for you. It does sound like it was them not you.
You are well out of it, their loss etc

Onwards and upwards. Something will come up.

{{{{hugs}}}}

cheshirekat · 02/01/2008 14:32

I'm not sure what your exact rights are with this one as you weren't an employee as such although i think it may be worth your while checking with the CAB.

If you were an employee I'd say that this is unfair dismissal, you haven't been given opportunity to rectify any issues as they haven't brought any to light.

This is really unfair! I hope that you find something else soon.

Kat

callmeovercautious · 02/01/2008 14:36

What a crap thing to do straight after Christmas

You sound like you know you were struggling and it happens to most of us at some point. It is a shame they did not give you more support though. Are you having an exit interview or could you write a letter to HR and say you accept the decision but want to give some feedback from your perspective, outline the lack of Mentor support etc.

Recently someone I had to let go at the end of a probationary period wrote to me after a similar thing had happenned to them and it highlighted a problem with a Departmental Manager HR had not been aware of before. Hopefully no one else will be treated the same way by that Manager in the future, it's a shame I can't let the ex-employee know that

Good Luck with the job hunting!

callmeovercautious · 02/01/2008 14:38

Just to clarify the Unfair dismissal point - you were still in probationary period therefore they can dismiss you in this way It is why Companies use probationary periods.

Original poster

paddingtonbear1 · 02/01/2008 14:50

thanks for all your messages. My previous job haven't replaced me yet, so I might be able to go back there, but it would be a bit embarrassing admitting I was fired for not being good enough!
I haven't got long though - after this month I won't be paid and we have no savings and a big mortgage. eek. If I can't get something soon I might have to work away
They knew they were going to fire me before xmas, but didn't say anything until today. At least they didn't spoil my xmas.

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Original poster

paddingtonbear1 · 02/01/2008 14:54

I'm not having an exit interview - they just wanted shot of me, they weren't really interested in what I had to say. They virtually pushed me out the door!

OP posts:

lalalonglegs · 02/01/2008 14:57

You don't have to admit anything to your old company. Unless you work in very small world, just say that you didn't like the company and its culture. Don't worry about it - it sounds as if you would have been miserable there in the long term, just find something else to stop the gap soonish.

kd73 · 02/01/2008 15:03

I am sorry to hear about your job, I've been in similar positions previously and it feels truly crap

Whilst I would consider approaching your ex bosses, just make sure you are doing it for the right reasons and that you are not simply opting for comfortable slippers - if you know what I mean.

Good luck in whatever you decide

madamez · 02/01/2008 15:07

Sorry you have lost your job, it's always miserable when this happens. But TBH I wouldn;t bother trying to pursue for unfair dismissal or anything: the hwole point of probationary periods is so the employer can see how the new employee fits in the job and if, for whatever reason, they don't feel that it's working out, then they can sack the employee. I'm not saying you did anything wrong but it sounds like this was not the right job for you. Best of luck getting another one.

Original poster

paddingtonbear1 · 02/01/2008 16:20

I'm not going to contact them again at all or try for unfair dismissal - as you say, I was in the probationary period so they were entitled to fire me. I've contacted an agent (a contractor at the job I've just left gave me a number) and sent him my CV. I won't have much confidence for interviews and the job market is bad, but I think I'll give it a week or so before contacting my old employers - not sure they'd have me back anyway.

OP posts:

flowerybeanbag · 03/01/2008 10:05

sorry to hear that - just to add that except in a few very specific circumstances you don't have unfair dismissal rights for the first year anyway.

hope you get something sorted soon, job market tends to move a bit in January as lots of people are fed up after Christmas and leave so fingers crossed.

mrspnut · 03/01/2008 10:35

Sorry about your job - just to say that the IT world is picking up, my OH had 8 approaches yesterday about jobs so there is quite a bit of work out there.

What area and what skill set do you have? because I might know of something or someone that's looking.

LOVEMYMUM · 03/01/2008 14:03

Oh dear, not the best start to the new year.

I lost a job 2 years ago after six weeks and got told "my face didn't fit". I was so upset cos it was such a stupid excuse. I spoke to local recruitment agencies and was told by one of them that they wouldn't even work with this company any more cos they were so picky (and whoever heard of a recruitment company turning down money! .)

I would say it was a temporary position (that's what the recruitment companies told me to say and i didn't get challenged on it).

You're not a failure - you tried and it didn't work out.

Just wondering: You say your skills didn't match your cv. If a recruitment company embellished your cv then i would mention it to the company - cos they have lied about your skills. I had a company do that to me ten years ago and got a surprise to learn i could type at 80 words a minute

Original poster

paddingtonbear1 · 03/01/2008 22:05

mrspnut I'm in the North West (near Manchester),and my field is Oracle development.
There seems to be a few more jobs on the web today, one of which looks just right for my skills. I will ring up tomorrow first thing!

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Original poster

paddingtonbear1 · 06/01/2008 13:33

well I've applied for 1 job in Manchester, but I don't hold out much hope as they'll see I left my last job after only 4 months. The agent will need to dress that one up somehow!
However I also went in to see my old boss, who was very nice about everything and is very keen to see me back, on exactly the same terms as I left (4 days working with 1 day from home,which I doubt I'd get anywhere new). dd is still in reception and the job is local so I think I've been lucky, really. phew!

OP posts:

SayNOtothecookieRookie · 06/01/2008 14:11

Paddingtonbear1 you have had a lucky escape and good news on your old job front.

More or less the same thing happened to my DH and it really caused him to question his abilities. 8 months on he is doing extremely well as a contractor in a great company close to home, where they love him.

It's clearly not you if your old employers want you back, so go back to your old job and hold your head high.

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