Can I get fired for this?

[canigetfiredforthis]

Please be kind I'm extremely stressed right now.

I started a job in relatively senior position to be told 5 weeks later I was at risk of redundancy (no fault of my own). I've been extremely stressed due to this as I was at the last place for a very long time.

Anyway I stupidly sent an email to my boss late one night (drinks had been consumed) basically saying there are loads of issues and you've messed me about massively basically. No swearing and not abusive in any way.

I recalled the message soon after I'd sent it but obviously unsuccessfully.

Anyway now they are saying they are going to fire me for gross misconduct! Can they do this?

It's an awful situation OP, these employment disputes always are, but on balance of what you have said, you'll not regret doing that. The relationship was already on shaky ground and you've now regained some control rather than it dragging on painfully.

you'll also have the important headspace to focus on your next career move.

wishing you all the very best.

I know that's horrible for you, but honestly think it's best for you in the longer term. Many people have done something stupid at work, but focus on moving forward now. It's no consolation but a good friend of mine did pretty much the same thing - a bit too late, a bit too drunk, and texted something he shouldn't have done. Came as close as you get to dismissal after 20 years with the employer. It wasn't abusive, just something that he thought (at the time) was funny. It wasn't so funny at 8am the next morning when the CEO had him in the office.

Get yourself to some agency work if nothing else for now, and that'll bring in some money and 'cover the tracks'. Then in applications, if you decide to mention it, you can truthfully say that you were recruited and weeks later they restructured and were making you redundant. It happens, and it's true.

I think as an HR person myself, gross misconduct for one email is quite harsh but then I don’t know the details and I’m guessing they see someone in probation and think it’s an easy process so they’ll take a chance. They’ll be thinking why would we want to confirm someone in post who sends emails to the boss like this.

i think now you’ve quit you’ll be able to move on not worrying that a new employer will find out. It’s a fresh start.

Well they weren't going to keep me in post anyway but it was a good way to save themselves a few grand!

My husband is a bit cross with me but I don't think they would have backed down, and I'm not sure I could have faced the whole situation.

Anyway, onwards and upwards!

Do NOT do this. If the employer happened upon the thread it is currently impossible to definitely identify you or them. If they read the exact wording of the email that you sent them you escalate gross misconduct to a possible case of defamation as well (based on what you say you have said)

oh give over they aren’t going to sue her for defamation on mumsnet, we can’t identify them. It’s not if they can identify themselves. Give over

Easy for him to say- he’s not the one going through it but when you can see what’s on the cards then you’ve done what you thought was best to protect future employment opportunities. Good luck!

They said there was a risk of redundancy that does not necessarily mean definitely.

They didnt save a few grand.

YOU saved them that money with your email, the contents of which only you and the (former) employer know about.

Suffice to say, you may not have thought it was all that bad, but the employer clearly did.

Perhaps next time you will think several times before being in a drunken stupor and emailing an employer about issues, regardless of whether they are true/false/solvable.

The error is all yours I'm afraid.

Yes thank you for that PP.

And I definitely was being made redundant.

They could certainly identify her if she quotes the wording of the email as you suggested! TYhere won't be anyone else who just happened to use the exact same wording in the exact same situation, now will there! Give over if you think that such things don't happen.

I would let them dismiss you and get your notice paid. I'm assuming you won't bother using them as a reference either way now. I'd just forget you ever went there, remove from CV and memory.

So they recruited you to a job and five weeks after you start they tell you you're at risk of redundancy? Are others in the redundancy pool? They would just terminate your contract as presumably you've not passed any probation period and you've no employment rights.

It doesn't make a lot of sense tbh.

They are not going to pay notice, the dismissal would be summary due to gross misconduct.

Per gov.uk gross misconduct covers matter such as theft, violence, gross negligence or serious insubordination. As mentioned upthread, nobody can really give a firm view without seeing the email, but there is a fair chance that a late night, drunk, sarcastic email questioning her bosses experience would fall under “serious subordination”.

I think OP has done the sensible thing in resigning and can now focus on moving on.

I'm confused you drunkenly emailed your boss, telling them how rubbish they are and still expect to come out of this with something. You're lucky they didn't tell you not to come back there and then. You're still on probation.

I'm also astounded at the amount of so called senior professionals who have no concept of professionalism.

Well anyway it's done now. No nasty comments needed now thank you!

I think the disconnect is in your op you only mention risk of redundancy, you don’t mention that the consultation was complete and you’d been notified of redundancy , the package offered etc,

effectively though, you basically handed them the means to get rid without cost. Drunken unpleasant emails to your boss are seldom going to be positive for you. Especially not a few weeks in and at risk.

Yes thank you I've learnt my lesson. No more comments needed please.

Well done for making the decision that's best for you. Good luck finding something new soon.

That’s not how MN works

Best wishes in finding a new job - hope it's a better one!

You messed up, but it looks to me like the writing was on the wall for you anyway. I don't see how one email would constitute gross misconduct, but you unfortunately handed them their ammunition on a plate.

Sounds like a shithole anyway. Hope your husband is supportive. Anyone can fuck up. Good luck.

@canigetfiredforthis you have my sympathy. I hope you didn't sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement. Enjoy a new lease of life.

I've been offered another better job! I'm so happy!

Congratulations! Fantastic news 👏

Excellent.
No more drunk texting