Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Work

Chat with other users about all things related to working life on our Work forum.

Original poster

Not passing probation period

20 replies

bakingmummy21 · 05/03/2024 21:19

DH got made redundant last January, took 7 months to find a job but huge sigh of relief when he got offered a role and started in sept 23. Since he started there’s been a bit of a restructure and his team moved into another team, plus various changes and he has been pulled into various projects outside of what he understood was his core role.
In his 1:1 with his boss today (which happens weekly) DH mentioned his probation period which is due next week. His boss then out of the blue said he had some concerns about his performance and needed to “think about it some more”. DH asked for examples and his boss gave a few but then apparently they ran out of time.
His performance has not been questioned to date and he has never had formal objectives agreed since he started. He’s now just left not knowing if he’ll be dismissed next week or not?!
Just feeling gutted for DH and anxious about the uncertainty. We can’t live on one salary and don’t have a lot of savings so no idea what happens if he is let go.
Any advice appreciated, I know being on probation means you have less rights but trying to work out how best to navigate this.

OP posts:
HPD76 · 05/03/2024 21:27

It’s really out of order if they raise these issues a week before and he’s not had a hint of it before. Any decent employer would have raised it in their weekly meetings and put some performance management in place ahead of this. He needs to contact ACAS and get some free advice from them.

OddBoots · 05/03/2024 21:28

I know this isn't completely reassuring but in most of the places I have worked someone not passing probation means a longer probation period to give them more chance rather than a flat out dismissal straight way. Hopefully it won't come to that in the first place though.

Original poster
bakingmummy21 · 05/03/2024 21:31

Thanks and yes I was pretty outraged at the way it’s been handled. DH’s boss doesn’t sound great generally tbh. I’m really hoping worst case is they can agree to extend probation and define his objectives a bit more. If anything it would give him some time to get job hunting 😬

OP posts:
Aquamarine1029 · 05/03/2024 21:34

Hope for the best but your husband needs to be proactive. He should be looking for another job while things are unfolding.

Duh · 05/03/2024 21:34

Probationary periods mean very little legally as anyone can be dismissed with notice within the first two years of employment anyway (provided not due to discrimination and a few other reasons that don’t appear applicable here).

The main difference in that first two years of dismissed during probation vs after probation is the notice period is usually shorter with the former.

Hopefully they will just extend his probationary period and he will get back on track. Best of luck to him.

rainydaysandwednesdays · 05/03/2024 21:36

OddBoots · 05/03/2024 21:28

I know this isn't completely reassuring but in most of the places I have worked someone not passing probation means a longer probation period to give them more chance rather than a flat out dismissal straight way. Hopefully it won't come to that in the first place though.

Yes I agree with this and it's how I've always understood it to be as well.

I hope it all works out, the place seems a little chaotic!

Lampslights · 05/03/2024 21:47

I’d also assume this was extend probation period.

OhItsOnlyCynthia · 05/03/2024 22:05

I agree with the others, an extension to the probationary period is the most likely outcome and isn't unusual.

DistinguishedSocialCommentator · 05/03/2024 22:09

OP

Some people are made managers but they are unable to organise a p up in a brewery.
The so-called manger should have told your DH re her/his concerns earlier.

IMO, the others that are close to the so-called manager may not like your DH

However, as others said, an extension is the most likely outcome.

TheLurpackYears · 05/03/2024 22:14

He should ring ACAS,they will probably have the correct procedure on their website. I was in a similar situation at the end of next year, the company totally funked up the while thinking they had let me go I would have had a case against them.

Original poster
bakingmummy21 · 07/03/2024 20:23

Thanks to everyone who replied. DH got invited to a meeting with his boss today to discuss next steps. HR then joined and he was told they’ve decided he’s not the right fit and will be let go. They’ll pay him 1 month as per his contract. Just gutted and can’t believe he spent 6 months trying hard to settle in and make a good impression etc. with minimal feedback just to be told “no thanks”. He asked about extending probation or moving into a different role and was told no. I hadn’t even got round to calling ACAS yet. Might try tomorrow but not sure if there’s any comeback from this anyway.

OP posts:
DinnaeFashYersel · 07/03/2024 20:26

Really sorry to hear this.

hadn’t even got round to calling ACAS yet

Im afraid that there's nothing ACAS can do for him.

He can't pursue unfair dismissal as he has less than 2 years service.

They are paying the correct notice period so there is no breach of contract.

He needs to crack on with looking for a new job and start trying to put this behind him.

DistinguishedSocialCommentator · 07/03/2024 20:35

bakingmummy21 · 07/03/2024 20:23

Thanks to everyone who replied. DH got invited to a meeting with his boss today to discuss next steps. HR then joined and he was told they’ve decided he’s not the right fit and will be let go. They’ll pay him 1 month as per his contract. Just gutted and can’t believe he spent 6 months trying hard to settle in and make a good impression etc. with minimal feedback just to be told “no thanks”. He asked about extending probation or moving into a different role and was told no. I hadn’t even got round to calling ACAS yet. Might try tomorrow but not sure if there’s any comeback from this anyway.

I was spot on and surprised the admitted it in not so many words - "not right fit." = as I said, his face did not fit in - its office politics.

converseandjeans · 07/03/2024 20:41

That's difficult & it's not great he has had no feedback to date. Has he been on time, keen to work etc?

If I was in your position I would be looking for a job myself. It's a luxury nowadays to be SAHM (unfortunately!) and so it would take pressure off him a little.

What sort of industry was it? Is he likely to get anything else? Maybe he can get something to keep the wolves from the door - delivery for Ocado, supermarket work, bar work?

SquishyGloopyBum · 07/03/2024 20:46

Make sure he gets any holiday pay he's entitled to as well.

PinkyBlueMe · 07/03/2024 20:59

converseandjeans · 07/03/2024 20:41

That's difficult & it's not great he has had no feedback to date. Has he been on time, keen to work etc?

If I was in your position I would be looking for a job myself. It's a luxury nowadays to be SAHM (unfortunately!) and so it would take pressure off him a little.

What sort of industry was it? Is he likely to get anything else? Maybe he can get something to keep the wolves from the door - delivery for Ocado, supermarket work, bar work?

In the OP, the OP says they can't survive on one salary, so I don't think she's a SAHP.

Original poster
bakingmummy21 · 07/03/2024 21:40

Yes no issues with attendance, he’s been in the office plenty. He did however mention the office was soulless, no culture etc. despite it being a big company. Overall it probably wasn’t the right role so onwards and upwards and hopefully the next role will be better.

I’m not a SAHM - thankfully I do earn a good salary but it won’t cover all our mortgage as well as other outgoings. We can look at taking our youngest out of childcare as DH could look after him but there is a notice period and it creates an issue if and when DH gets another job. Youngest DC is only 1 and doesn’t get free hours until sept.

I’ve posted on the money thread for some advice on there hopefully but I guess we might see if we can a mortgage freeze if we have to.

OP posts:
converseandjeans · 08/03/2024 19:30

I’m not a SAHM - thankfully I do earn a good salary but it won’t cover all our mortgage as well as other outgoings

Well that's good to be honest that you're not relying just on him. I agree with you it might be really disruptive to change kids childcare as it might be hard to get another place.

It sounds like DH has been pushed into a different role from what he was initially expecting to do.

Sorry to hear he has been let go. I imagine he has had his confidence knocked. Hopefully he can get some work to at least bring in money for bills.

Nextbitoflife · 08/03/2024 19:35

If there has been a restructure recently it might also mean the company is having to look at cost savings so might not be as clear as his face not fitting. Not much comfort but might be less of a confidence blow.

whatisforteamum · 09/03/2024 09:54

I'm sorry to hear how this has been handled hopefully your dh can now get the right role for him.
I passed my probation despite feelings o wouldn't however in some respects I wish I had been let go.
Keeping someone who face doesn't fit is hard on everyone.
Onwards and upwards to something better.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page