How to explain settlement agreement

[Willieverworkagain]

I got a new job which while actually using less skills paid 60 per cent more than a very demanding job for a poor employer. The attraction was pay and benefits. It was a PA job and the interview was online only with two people…my boss (male) and another lady. Once I started the boss had zero interest in communicating with me, kept stalling on catch ups etc. I think I just wasn’t his “type”. I worked hard at learning how to do the job and kept busy and am sure my skill set was even beyond what they required. After 8 weeks I was called in and told I “wasn’t a good fit” and to leave immediately. HR would offer me a settlement agreement. I was so hurt that I had left a job to be treated so callously. I won’t go into anymore identifying details but my main questions are this: how do I explain this to future employers? Already I didn’t get an expected second interview when they queried what happened at this job and I said, it ended with mutual agreement (which what I believe I’m supposed to say under the conditions of the settlement agreement). After the initial devastation I was feeling very optimistic but I’m in a locally poor job market and after a few rejections I’m having a crisis. I also now have a serious illness which means I can’t even look for a job and again I’m very worried how this will impact future job applications.

I would just leave it off a CV completely. Do you know if your job previous to that gives the reason you left on your reference?

If not, as part of the settlement agreement you get an agreed reference. So you could ask for them to include something in that that makes it out that it wasn't your fault you left.

Have you had legal advice about the SA? If you haven't signed anything yet then you aren't bound by the terms of the agreement and can say what you want.

If you've already left, when are you expecting the agreement? It sounds fishy to me.

I think you have to tell them you worked there as this is on your P45. But I’d say something along the lines of you starting a job but due to internal changes/change in their business plans you were no longer being required. It shouldn’t reflect badly on you.

You don't need to hand a p45 to your new employer

Yes, you do. They need it to ensure you are put on the correct tax code.

It’s not uncommon to leave a job shortly after starting it. People make mistakes! I’d just explain this with something bland that doesn’t criticise the former employer - could be anything. “I didn’t enjoy working remotely all the time” or something like that.

Could you say it was a temporary cover job?

It doesn't matter if the role is on your P45, by the stage you are handing that in you would have been offered the role already and they're not looking at that for previous employment see. Also there is usually a new starter form you can provide in replacement of a P45 if you say you don't have one - this is very common. I would not include this employment on my CV.

You could say it was a temporary role.

you don’t need to hand in your p45. Say they never sent it. Just complete the new starter checklist (what was a p46) and you’ll get your tax code allocated.

good luck.

Thanks for the, conflicting, feedback. I am too honest and struggle with the idea of leaving it off my cv, particularly as it will be on my p45. It would also open questions about why I left a perfectly good job before that with nothing to go to. I must admit I wrote this post in the middle of the night as I am ruminating and catastrophising.

I’d also add that you shouldn’t take the short term job to heart. Sounds like you dodged a bullet with the unpleasant colleague and don’t let it question your capabilities. Use it to spur you on when you’re feeling better. And if you can in the meantime perhaps do some additional CPD if you’re up to it, loads of free courses to boost your confidence. Good luck.

You can do a p46 but tbh by the time you get a new job now it may be past 5th and so you won’t need to do that anyway.
Just leave it off your CV.

@fashionqueen0123 can you explain what you mean re past 5th?

Did you get an agreed reference as part of then settlement or did you just leave? It sounds like you were just asked to leave (not criticism- this happens likely more than you think, it’s fine)

a few things. Don’t be whimpy with your Cv. It serves only to secure you a job, it is not some kind of legal obligation to document your whereabouts since leaving school. A 8 week job does nothing for your CV, so yes, leave it off.

secondly don’t worry about the p45 the vast majority of hiring managers neither see nor look at them anyway. They are for payroll, and payroll will know nothing about you.

lastly if you do need to speak about this job in any way memorise a few lines “the job wasn’t what expected and I didn’t see a way to resolve that” it’s ok for jobs not to work. Stuttering and being caught off guard will come across suspiously though.

It’s the start of the new tax year. Sorry just realised ‘April’ is missing off my comment :)

You only give an employer a p45 or 46 so that you don’t get put on the wrong tax code and the tax office can like put together all earnings from that year. So after that date it doesn’t matter as it all starts again

I’d say it was a temporary role too

I'm astounded they offered you a settlement agreement after only 8 weeks so can only assume there must be a bit more to this which is why your confidence has been shaken.

It's honestly not a big deal

If you are determined to put it on your CV just put something like 'short term contract'

If questioned about why you left previous role for short term contract just say something like 'I'd hoped it would be a good opportunity that would lead to a long term role but unfortunately it didn't'.

Which is basically the truth