Meeting minutes

[Finlaysmumma]

Hi, I could really do with some advise. I have been on 3 month probation in my current job and have just had my review which was minuted by the HR person/office manager/directors PA (one person) also present was my line manager who was supposed to be taking minutes but didn't! I have not seen the minutes she took but on Thursday was handed a letter as I was leaving work which was her decision following the review meeting. It is not a true reflection of the meeting, even a little bit and is pretty much a character assassination ( she has been bullying me since day one) I have checked with my line manager and he has told me that he hasn't seen her minutes from the meeting and I have also discovered that the decision letter has also been sent to another person in the company that was not present at the meeting. I know, annoyingly that I have very little rights as I am in probation but I'm pretty sure that this whole process is wrong, can anyone who is more HR savvy than me help please. I haven't lost my job by the way, probation extended.

If it's been toxic from day one, do you want to stay there?

No I don't but until I have another job I have no choice. I have demanded a meeting with her on Wednesday next week and want to make sure I have my facts right before hand.

I am a little confused who is bullying you? Your manager or HR

Who made the decision to extend probation? Your manager or HR?

Is there a probation policy/procedure?

I’m confused. Minutes were taken but you’ve not seen them. Instead you were handed a letter. Ok, you know how they feel as your probation has been extended. So how do you feel the job is going? Also why have you demanded a meeting, could you not have just asked for one?

There is no legal meaning to probation, and there are no processes or policies that must be followed. Until you have two years of service then you have next to no rights. So unfortunately, if you need the job until you find another one, you have two choices. If there is someone more powerful than her in your corner ( which it sounds like that isn't the case) then you may be able to get their support. If there isn't, then you may be better advised to stop demanding, play humble, ask for guidance to improve, and generally play your cards carefully. It may not be palatable, but it may be the most sensible thing.

Personally if you want / need to stay I'd be looking at the reasons why probation has been extended, making sure they are SMART objectives and aiming to work on them successfully.

Get a new job quick.

it’s clearly not working out for either of you.

Anyone on probation in my company who demanded a meeting with me after a probation review would find the probation coming to an abrupt end

You need clarity on the specific reason/s for the extension in your probation. Plus some form of action plan that either you write and get approved by your manager, or your manager to produce to state the actions and acceptance criteria for your probation to be successfully completed.

that's the only way to move this forward.

it isn't clear from your post what the letter was, or what it contained. Did it mention why you haven't passed your probation?

I am struggling to make sense of this situation? Why would somebody in HR want to assassinate your character? Why is your line manager not speaking to you about the extension of your probation? HR should be facilitating and supporting managers where necessary, not carrying out processes themselves.

Tbh demanding anything would make me wary of you as an employee. You and the job don't sound like a good fit and you're going to annoy the person even more with that approach

Your post isn't clear, what exactly is the reaakn for the probation extension?

@Finlaysmumma Hi OP. How have things been for you? Did anyone get back to you at all?