Bit of an advise on possibility of dismissal :(
Discussion
craigjm said:
That is not strictly true. Within the qualifying period of the first two years they don't really need a valid reason,
however given the OP worked for the organisation in question for 6 + years 5 under previous owners and the balance under new owners that's pretty much academic unless there';s some magical way out of TUPE responsibilities with regard to continuous service etc ( even if restructures took place and people were moved onto new contracts)mph1977 said:
unless there';s some magical way out of TUPE responsibilities with regard to continuous service etc
There is, as I mention above a settlement agreement trumps all contracts. If a company wants to get rid of you they can. All they have to do is pay reasonable compensation through such an agreement and in agreeing to it you waive your rights to any tribunal claims. Most people who don't want to ruin their career will take it with a reference as a CV with a resignation and a tribunal case (win or lose) on it is about as attractive to future employers as a dose of syphilis 
Well had an interesting comment from a colleagues yesterday about move new job. According to him it is literally be career suicide for me to move from a multi national company to a small UK ltd. He was questioning why I didn't just try my best to hang on.
Looking back at my career after first few jobs I've been working in large companies so in all honesty I do have some worry in corner of my mind. I don't know, perhaps recent events have shatterred my confidence.
However for my sanity I know it's time to move on to another company. I will start soon (September) so looking forward to what future holds.
Looking back at my career after first few jobs I've been working in large companies so in all honesty I do have some worry in corner of my mind. I don't know, perhaps recent events have shatterred my confidence.
However for my sanity I know it's time to move on to another company. I will start soon (September) so looking forward to what future holds.
I think there's a split in thinking on what type of company you want to work for
Larger company, probably easier to be a bit nameless, do your thing under the radar and no-one will ever really find you. Larger company technically should be a bit more cash rich, people go into them hoping for a job for life and a career ladder, company will have some big successes behind it and so less likely to fold and have you out on your ear. That's not always true (see IBM, Woolworths and any number of other casualties of the past 8 years) but you can normally go from Junior Office Clerk through to mid-management if your face fits.
Smaller company, probably a bigger fish in a smaller pond, more accountability, harder to hide, can turn on a sixpence from what the boss decided over the weekend. Probably you're brought in to do a specific task, so less chance of promotion. Lower cash reserves and not as long established successes. Smaller companies go about their business and by and large, you never hear about them. Some companies deliberately stay small, on the thought process of 'this is what we do, this is who we do it for and we do it well'
Depends really what makes you feel more comfortable. I personally quite like startups, very quick, very nimble, everyone's there to smash it and there's many hats to wear. I can appreciate that's not for everyone
Larger company, probably easier to be a bit nameless, do your thing under the radar and no-one will ever really find you. Larger company technically should be a bit more cash rich, people go into them hoping for a job for life and a career ladder, company will have some big successes behind it and so less likely to fold and have you out on your ear. That's not always true (see IBM, Woolworths and any number of other casualties of the past 8 years) but you can normally go from Junior Office Clerk through to mid-management if your face fits.
Smaller company, probably a bigger fish in a smaller pond, more accountability, harder to hide, can turn on a sixpence from what the boss decided over the weekend. Probably you're brought in to do a specific task, so less chance of promotion. Lower cash reserves and not as long established successes. Smaller companies go about their business and by and large, you never hear about them. Some companies deliberately stay small, on the thought process of 'this is what we do, this is who we do it for and we do it well'
Depends really what makes you feel more comfortable. I personally quite like startups, very quick, very nimble, everyone's there to smash it and there's many hats to wear. I can appreciate that's not for everyone
Only just seen this thread but the story is similar in some ways to my own. I did 6 years with a large insurer (15k employees when I joined). Because they were relocating I found myself another jobs with a smaller accountancy (still 4k employees) where I worked for 5 years. I'd always had great appraisals and felt like I was doing well until suddenly I received a bad appraisal out of the blue. HR got involved with a "performance improvement plan" which I reluctantly agreed to but was never given the chance to implement - 3 weeks into the plan and I was called in for a chat with the IT director and handed a compromise agreement.
Like you OP, they wanted me out, and tried to use poor performance as a way of getting rid. However, having recruited someone into my team (a role I could've taken) and not giving me a chance to implement the performance plan, redundancy and dismissal weren't options so I was paid off.
Through a friend I got a job straight away with a small consultancy (17 employees at the time) and whilst it has not been perfect, I've had 8 years with them where I have learnt a lot more than I ever did before (small company means I get involved in more). There are pros and cons between large and small companies, but I don't know of anyone who has ever left a job and regretted it 5 years later, especially if like you they felt like their time was up.
Be positive about the future and the future will be positive. Good luck.
Like you OP, they wanted me out, and tried to use poor performance as a way of getting rid. However, having recruited someone into my team (a role I could've taken) and not giving me a chance to implement the performance plan, redundancy and dismissal weren't options so I was paid off.
Through a friend I got a job straight away with a small consultancy (17 employees at the time) and whilst it has not been perfect, I've had 8 years with them where I have learnt a lot more than I ever did before (small company means I get involved in more). There are pros and cons between large and small companies, but I don't know of anyone who has ever left a job and regretted it 5 years later, especially if like you they felt like their time was up.
Be positive about the future and the future will be positive. Good luck.
andy-xr said:
I think there's a split in thinking on what type of company you want to work for
Larger company, probably easier to be a bit nameless, do your thing under the radar and no-one will ever really find you. Larger company technically should be a bit more cash rich, people go into them hoping for a job for life and a career ladder, company will have some big successes behind it and so less likely to fold and have you out on your ear. That's not always true (see IBM, Woolworths and any number of other casualties of the past 8 years) but you can normally go from Junior Office Clerk through to mid-management if your face fits.
Smaller company, probably a bigger fish in a smaller pond, more accountability, harder to hide, can turn on a sixpence from what the boss decided over the weekend. Probably you're brought in to do a specific task, so less chance of promotion. Lower cash reserves and not as long established successes. Smaller companies go about their business and by and large, you never hear about them. Some companies deliberately stay small, on the thought process of 'this is what we do, this is who we do it for and we do it well'
Depends really what makes you feel more comfortable. I personally quite like startups, very quick, very nimble, everyone's there to smash it and there's many hats to wear. I can appreciate that's not for everyone
Interesting thoughts, and spot on about easier to go u nder the radar in bigger companies. I know of a Project Manager who basically works 3 day weeks without anyone noticing. For me it's becoming frustrating as I feel like a very small cog in a very big machine. I've lost count of how many times I've got shot down by red tape and politics. There are things I can get done in few days but because of all the obstacles it takes ages or sometimes never gets done at all. I find this exponentially worse with company size.Larger company, probably easier to be a bit nameless, do your thing under the radar and no-one will ever really find you. Larger company technically should be a bit more cash rich, people go into them hoping for a job for life and a career ladder, company will have some big successes behind it and so less likely to fold and have you out on your ear. That's not always true (see IBM, Woolworths and any number of other casualties of the past 8 years) but you can normally go from Junior Office Clerk through to mid-management if your face fits.
Smaller company, probably a bigger fish in a smaller pond, more accountability, harder to hide, can turn on a sixpence from what the boss decided over the weekend. Probably you're brought in to do a specific task, so less chance of promotion. Lower cash reserves and not as long established successes. Smaller companies go about their business and by and large, you never hear about them. Some companies deliberately stay small, on the thought process of 'this is what we do, this is who we do it for and we do it well'
Depends really what makes you feel more comfortable. I personally quite like startups, very quick, very nimble, everyone's there to smash it and there's many hats to wear. I can appreciate that's not for everyone
I missed the sense of achievement back in the days when I started in smaller companies so hopefully I can have that feeling again in my next job. This company has been going strong for 20 years with recent acquisition of another business so fingers crossed I can have a good few years run.
wiggy001 said:
Only just seen this thread but the story is similar in some ways to my own. I did 6 years with a large insurer (15k employees when I joined). Because they were relocating I found myself another jobs with a smaller accountancy (still 4k employees) where I worked for 5 years. I'd always had great appraisals and felt like I was doing well until suddenly I received a bad appraisal out of the blue. HR got involved with a "performance improvement plan" which I reluctantly agreed to but was never given the chance to implement - 3 weeks into the plan and I was called in for a chat with the IT director and handed a compromise agreement.
Like you OP, they wanted me out, and tried to use poor performance as a way of getting rid. However, having recruited someone into my team (a role I could've taken) and not giving me a chance to implement the performance plan, redundancy and dismissal weren't options so I was paid off.
Through a friend I got a job straight away with a small consultancy (17 employees at the time) and whilst it has not been perfect, I've had 8 years with them where I have learnt a lot more than I ever did before (small company means I get involved in more). There are pros and cons between large and small companies, but I don't know of anyone who has ever left a job and regretted it 5 years later, especially if like you they felt like their time was up.
Be positive about the future and the future will be positive. Good luck.
Thanks bud. I haven't been put through PIP as yet but I bet if I stuck on without following their wishes I'll go through the same experience. It's better to move on while I can.Like you OP, they wanted me out, and tried to use poor performance as a way of getting rid. However, having recruited someone into my team (a role I could've taken) and not giving me a chance to implement the performance plan, redundancy and dismissal weren't options so I was paid off.
Through a friend I got a job straight away with a small consultancy (17 employees at the time) and whilst it has not been perfect, I've had 8 years with them where I have learnt a lot more than I ever did before (small company means I get involved in more). There are pros and cons between large and small companies, but I don't know of anyone who has ever left a job and regretted it 5 years later, especially if like you they felt like their time was up.
Be positive about the future and the future will be positive. Good luck.
Onwards and upwards eh?
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