Oh my God, everything has gone wrong!

[Provost Harrison]

Originally posted by notyoueither
There is no probationary period in the UK?

It's 90 days here, default, for most jobs. You can be released without cause or compensation. You mentioned 'contract' though. Not sure what effect the terms of a contract would have.

One month probationary period. They have exceeded that long since...

[Ned]

It would be interesting to know why your training manager would suddenly say things like that to you.

[Dauphin]

Just reading the facts without knowing the whole situation and context it reads as a right stinker. Its almost incredulous (although not quite, given how I was shafted by my last permanent employer).

I think you are on the right track in seeking legal advice. Making any assumptions about your legal position is a dangerous thing to do. You'd have thought your credit card position would have been laughable, but unfortunately not. Knowledge is power, and if you know your rights and employment law more than them you are in a very strong position.

Where to now then? Going back to Reckitt Benckeiser (sic)?

[Spiffor]

The only reason I could see for such a sudden change in tone in that you had sex with your boss's wife. It didn't happen did it ?

Otherwise, your situation reminds me of Oerdin's. He was basically fired because some assholish big shot in the company used him as a scapegoat. One can imagine some boss of yours has done a blunder, and is trying to make you responsible for it

[Dauphin]

Originally posted by Ned
It would be interesting to know why your training manager would suddenly say things like that to you.

When directly confronted I think a lot of employers tell bald-faced lies if they don't have a good reason.

I went into a salary review and was told there wasn't enough money to increase my salary. Times were tough. The attractive girl who had gone in before me had been awarded a $2,000/year pay rise. I also asked why persons with less experience and aptitude for the role I was doing were being paid more than me (2 years experience and professional exam passes vs 6 months experience and no study). The firm said they weren't being paid more, I must have been mistaken. I named the two girls who I was explicitly refering to. His face went red and he shuffled his papers a bit, feigning to look at their salary figure. A moment later he said "Frankly they do a better job than you". Which was laughable given that on my previous few job reviews manager had graded my work as excellent and said that I was "a valuable asset of the team" and that I was "The rising star of auditing". I showed him photocopies of my reviews proving such comments. He didn't have anything to say except that if I failed my upcoming exams I would not be kept on (a contractual get out clause for them). I failed one of the six exams by 1%. BY then it didn't matter because I had already resigned instead.

Several people I know jumped/were pushed at and around the same time and were given similar phoney excuses.

[Alex]

it's bad. hope things get right for you, Rich.

[DinoDoc]

You should ask Laz to help you plan a fitting revenge.

[Urban Ranger]

It sounds like somebody who is in a higher position than you stabbed you in the back, Rich. Nasty, nasty, stuff.

[CerberusIV]

PH - you should get proper advice just to be sure. Are you in a union (a competent one)? If so use them, that's what the subscription is for.

Hold out - make them say why they dismissed you then, when it doesn't stack up try and force a settlement (out of court) which will include appropriate payment and an undertaking to provide a reference (it only needs to confirm the period you worked for them to avoid a serious problem). Make sure you know the maximum you would get through a tribunal case so you know how far you can push them (they aren't going to want legal costs and bad press if they can come to a cheaper agreed solution).

It would strengthen your position if you can find out why they want rid of you. Does someone have it in for you (are you so good you have made someone uncomfortable)? Are they in financial trouble? Do they want to outsource or transfer the work you have been doing? What is the company's personnel history like? Have they done this sort of thing to others in the past? Try and find out as much as you can - it will matter if you have to fight a claim.

[Ben Kenobi]

Ever watch American Beauty, Rich?

Sorry to hear about your dismissal.

Hope things brighten up especially since you were considereing moving to the coast.

[molly bloom]

I worked for one of the worst Thatcherite councils in Britain, Westminster, and this sounds right out of their managerial handbook. People like this have no regard for employment law or employee rights and should pay the consequences.

Unleash the dogs of law, P.H., and may the Work Force be with you.

Best of luck, and do not let this affect your self-confidence- we all luvs you here.

[aaglo]

Damn, that sucks, PH.

Go and grab them employers by the balls.

[duke o' york]

You said that you'd go to see your agency about this? Were you working on a temporary basis then? Several details don't sound as if you were, but if you were then I'm afraid you're pissing up a rope here.
If you have a contractual agreement with your former employers then stick it to 'em! The fact that they have paid you off (even such a risible sum) means a lot because they wouldn't have done that if they were sacking you. On the other hand, you can't be laid off without notice. I obviously can't read your contract, but they would appear to have a terrible position as far as employment law is concerned from what you have told us. Make a stink about it! - they may be less likely to do it to other unfortunates in future. If you're going to go down, then take the training manager with you!

[Zylka]

What exactly was your role in this company

[C0ckney]

i would be a little cautious about the wrongful dismisal route, while it may be the right thing to do, it could mark you out as a trouble-maker to future employers. especially if this is a well known and respected company in your field.

get some proper legal advice, especially about your contract, a threaterning letter from a solicitor can go a long way, you might be able to force them into giving a reference and a decent pay-off if you promise to avoid legal action.