6 years service, now everything seems to be an issue
Discussion
Evening all,
I’ll try to keep it basics!
Almost 7 years in as a field service engineer for a market leading pump company, a great family company to work for with many benefits and I do mostly enjoy the work.
In November, I went to a site to commission some pumps, they wanted my passport and birth certificate plus address, I was reluctant to hand over details due to recent fraud against our address, site also had no power so weren’t ready despite telling me they were.
They let me on site without any of the personal info and I quickly realised there is no power. I ended up leaving site without doing the job after lunch.
I’ve had an investigation meeting at work which resulted in letter of concern as I left work early for a personal appointment without approval and didn’t give them personal information.
As a field service engineer that gets paid door to door my travel has always been included in my work day until this point. I’d left at 0545 to get to site and got home at 1500, this doing 0.25 hours o/t that day.
Reason also I needed to pick up my child from school this one day.
Contract says my hours are 40.5 hours, company hours are 0800-1645.
Since this I am being dragged over the coals about everything I do, 5 other jobs investigated and due to those now on a PIP.
Said I’m happy and willing to improve but now after the first review meeting I’ve been told that I have poor communication because… I got the train to work without manager authority.
We all do this when we can to save time in traffic etc and I have done for 6 years and it’s never been an issue or stated we need approval.
Am I just waiting to be canned? Do I need a solicitor or union on board now? I’ve held off to try and keep things less abrasive and my manager has been pretty friendly face to face now - but then sending tripe like this in my PIP notes.
I like the job just not the manager, unfortunately he is the gatekeeper.
He has previous for bullying and the company has paid one ex engineer out that I know of.
I originally rejected their letter of concern but it just brought so much retaliation that I don’t have time or energy to deal with while working and driving about and coming home to a family.
Maybe I’ve been complacent over the years and am happy to have a kick up the butt to an extent but to the point of doubting everything I do there now.
I probably should have raised a grievance or had solicitor go over my contract but I know it’s going to get messy once I cross that line.
I’ll try to keep it basics!
Almost 7 years in as a field service engineer for a market leading pump company, a great family company to work for with many benefits and I do mostly enjoy the work.
In November, I went to a site to commission some pumps, they wanted my passport and birth certificate plus address, I was reluctant to hand over details due to recent fraud against our address, site also had no power so weren’t ready despite telling me they were.
They let me on site without any of the personal info and I quickly realised there is no power. I ended up leaving site without doing the job after lunch.
I’ve had an investigation meeting at work which resulted in letter of concern as I left work early for a personal appointment without approval and didn’t give them personal information.
As a field service engineer that gets paid door to door my travel has always been included in my work day until this point. I’d left at 0545 to get to site and got home at 1500, this doing 0.25 hours o/t that day.
Reason also I needed to pick up my child from school this one day.
Contract says my hours are 40.5 hours, company hours are 0800-1645.
Since this I am being dragged over the coals about everything I do, 5 other jobs investigated and due to those now on a PIP.
Said I’m happy and willing to improve but now after the first review meeting I’ve been told that I have poor communication because… I got the train to work without manager authority.
We all do this when we can to save time in traffic etc and I have done for 6 years and it’s never been an issue or stated we need approval.
Am I just waiting to be canned? Do I need a solicitor or union on board now? I’ve held off to try and keep things less abrasive and my manager has been pretty friendly face to face now - but then sending tripe like this in my PIP notes.
I like the job just not the manager, unfortunately he is the gatekeeper.
He has previous for bullying and the company has paid one ex engineer out that I know of.
I originally rejected their letter of concern but it just brought so much retaliation that I don’t have time or energy to deal with while working and driving about and coming home to a family.
Maybe I’ve been complacent over the years and am happy to have a kick up the butt to an extent but to the point of doubting everything I do there now.
I probably should have raised a grievance or had solicitor go over my contract but I know it’s going to get messy once I cross that line.
Make sure you meet the requirements of your pip,
Any deviations from your contracted hours need to communicated formally, email
This goes both ways, if they need you in before 8 they need to instruct you, if you need to collect minions you inform the company.
Long term, if your manager has not shielded you from a pip, you are either not a productive employee or no longer needed, how long is your pip for?
Are the kpi’s achievable?
Did you recive any formal disciplinary action?
Is the market for your skill set buoyant, how easy is it to jump ship.
Don’t waste money on legal advice, it’s not cost effective. Money is better spent on coaching for interviews.
If you want a chat offline drop me a massage, I sit with employees in disciplinarys as a competent co worker, and if not part of the investigation I am often the appealing manger on the other side.
Read you companies policy’s/proceedures,
Ultimately just be professional in your conduct, you are just swapping your time for money,
Kind regards
Angelo
Any deviations from your contracted hours need to communicated formally, email
This goes both ways, if they need you in before 8 they need to instruct you, if you need to collect minions you inform the company.
Long term, if your manager has not shielded you from a pip, you are either not a productive employee or no longer needed, how long is your pip for?
Are the kpi’s achievable?
Did you recive any formal disciplinary action?
Is the market for your skill set buoyant, how easy is it to jump ship.
Don’t waste money on legal advice, it’s not cost effective. Money is better spent on coaching for interviews.
If you want a chat offline drop me a massage, I sit with employees in disciplinarys as a competent co worker, and if not part of the investigation I am often the appealing manger on the other side.
Read you companies policy’s/proceedures,
Ultimately just be professional in your conduct, you are just swapping your time for money,
Kind regards
Angelo
They want rid of you.
Don’t waste money on a solicitor.
If you are due full pay on sick then go off with stress and put a claim in with HR for bullying.
Stress- Tell the Dr your not sleeping, feel anxious and your angry all the time due to work. They will sign you off.
You will eventually get a pay off.
Whatever get your CV sharpened up, get on LinkedIn and improve your contacts there.
Just remember it’s only a job. There will be another along.
Don’t waste money on a solicitor.
If you are due full pay on sick then go off with stress and put a claim in with HR for bullying.
Stress- Tell the Dr your not sleeping, feel anxious and your angry all the time due to work. They will sign you off.
You will eventually get a pay off.
Whatever get your CV sharpened up, get on LinkedIn and improve your contacts there.
Just remember it’s only a job. There will be another along.
Sounds like your being managed out of the door.
All of the things mentioned were fine before but now are an issue. For whatever reason you are firmly on someones radar.
I'd be off but if you really want to stay, work by the letter, to the letter. If instructions aren't clear, have them confirmed. Hope they find someone else to pick on.
All of the things mentioned were fine before but now are an issue. For whatever reason you are firmly on someones radar.
I'd be off but if you really want to stay, work by the letter, to the letter. If instructions aren't clear, have them confirmed. Hope they find someone else to pick on.
lrdisco said:
They want rid of you.
Don t waste money on a solicitor.
If you are due full pay on sick then go off with stress and put a claim in with HR for bullying.
Stress- Tell the Dr your not sleeping, feel anxious and your angry all the time due to work. They will sign you off.
You will eventually get a pay off.
Whatever get your CV sharpened up, get on LinkedIn and improve your contacts there.
Just remember it s only a job. There will be another along.
For OPs sake, they should confirm they wouldn't do any of the above. Its a small world and when it comes to employment law and monies, fraud is taken very seriously and HR will rightly enforce to letter of the law if there is any hint it's been committed.Don t waste money on a solicitor.
If you are due full pay on sick then go off with stress and put a claim in with HR for bullying.
Stress- Tell the Dr your not sleeping, feel anxious and your angry all the time due to work. They will sign you off.
You will eventually get a pay off.
Whatever get your CV sharpened up, get on LinkedIn and improve your contacts there.
Just remember it s only a job. There will be another along.
gangzoom said:
lrdisco said:
They want rid of you.
Don t waste money on a solicitor.
If you are due full pay on sick then go off with stress and put a claim in with HR for bullying.
Stress- Tell the Dr your not sleeping, feel anxious and your angry all the time due to work. They will sign you off.
You will eventually get a pay off.
Whatever get your CV sharpened up, get on LinkedIn and improve your contacts there.
Just remember it s only a job. There will be another along.
For OPs sake, they should confirm they wouldn't do any of the above. Its a small world and when it comes to employment law and monies, fraud is taken very seriously and HR will rightly enforce to letter of the law if there is any hint it's been committed.Don t waste money on a solicitor.
If you are due full pay on sick then go off with stress and put a claim in with HR for bullying.
Stress- Tell the Dr your not sleeping, feel anxious and your angry all the time due to work. They will sign you off.
You will eventually get a pay off.
Whatever get your CV sharpened up, get on LinkedIn and improve your contacts there.
Just remember it s only a job. There will be another along.
PIP = you are done.
Wow thanks for all these.
There are other jobs out there and luckily I can afford a few months off if needed.
I’m sure the customer who complained I left site turned out to be pals with my managers manager.
I was also set up to fail in 2022 with consistent badly planned jobs requiring hours on end of overtime that resulted in time off for work related stress.
I suspect I’ve been on the radar since.
I’ve just joined the union so believe I’ll need to wait 4 weeks for advice.
There are other jobs out there and luckily I can afford a few months off if needed.
I’m sure the customer who complained I left site turned out to be pals with my managers manager.
I was also set up to fail in 2022 with consistent badly planned jobs requiring hours on end of overtime that resulted in time off for work related stress.
I suspect I’ve been on the radar since.
I’ve just joined the union so believe I’ll need to wait 4 weeks for advice.
six port said:
I got the train to work without manager authority.
We all do this when we can to save time in traffic etc and I have done for 6 years and it s never been an issue or stated we need approval.
If he can prove this is new or never been an issue before - 6 years is a long time - can he get the poor communication dropped?We all do this when we can to save time in traffic etc and I have done for 6 years and it s never been an issue or stated we need approval.
OP - if everything's been fine until recently what has changed?
In terms of the things that you're being pulled up on (working hours, train travel) are there written policies covering these? Has your Manager changed recently?
Some Managers turn a blind eye to minor / trivial infractions, others can be extremely strict and enforce rules and policies to the letter.
In terms of the things that you're being pulled up on (working hours, train travel) are there written policies covering these? Has your Manager changed recently?
Some Managers turn a blind eye to minor / trivial infractions, others can be extremely strict and enforce rules and policies to the letter.
Wow thanks for all these.
There are other jobs out there and luckily I can afford a few months off if needed.
I’m sure the customer who complained I left site turned out to be pals with my managers manager.
I was also set up to fail in 2022 with consistent badly planned jobs requiring hours on end of overtime that resulted in time off for work related stress.
I suspect I’ve been on the radar since.
I’ve just joined the union so believe I’ll need to wait 4 weeks for advice.
There are other jobs out there and luckily I can afford a few months off if needed.
I’m sure the customer who complained I left site turned out to be pals with my managers manager.
I was also set up to fail in 2022 with consistent badly planned jobs requiring hours on end of overtime that resulted in time off for work related stress.
I suspect I’ve been on the radar since.
I’ve just joined the union so believe I’ll need to wait 4 weeks for advice.
lrdisco said:
They want rid of you.
Don t waste money on a solicitor.
If you are due full pay on sick then go off with stress and put a claim in with HR for bullying.
Stress- Tell the Dr your not sleeping, feel anxious and your angry all the time due to work. They will sign you off.
You will eventually get a pay off.
Whatever get your CV sharpened up, get on LinkedIn and improve your contacts there.
Just remember it s only a job. There will be another along.
Do thisDon t waste money on a solicitor.
If you are due full pay on sick then go off with stress and put a claim in with HR for bullying.
Stress- Tell the Dr your not sleeping, feel anxious and your angry all the time due to work. They will sign you off.
You will eventually get a pay off.
Whatever get your CV sharpened up, get on LinkedIn and improve your contacts there.
Just remember it s only a job. There will be another along.
My old company was pretty bad for PIPs and high levels of stress. The key to a chunky pay off was the above and it worked every single time.
Most companies s
t themselves and will offer a pay outJohn D. said:
gangzoom said:
lrdisco said:
They want rid of you.
Don t waste money on a solicitor.
If you are due full pay on sick then go off with stress and put a claim in with HR for bullying.
Stress- Tell the Dr your not sleeping, feel anxious and your angry all the time due to work. They will sign you off.
You will eventually get a pay off.
Whatever get your CV sharpened up, get on LinkedIn and improve your contacts there.
Just remember it s only a job. There will be another along.
For OPs sake, they should confirm they wouldn't do any of the above. Its a small world and when it comes to employment law and monies, fraud is taken very seriously and HR will rightly enforce to letter of the law if there is any hint it's been committed.Don t waste money on a solicitor.
If you are due full pay on sick then go off with stress and put a claim in with HR for bullying.
Stress- Tell the Dr your not sleeping, feel anxious and your angry all the time due to work. They will sign you off.
You will eventually get a pay off.
Whatever get your CV sharpened up, get on LinkedIn and improve your contacts there.
Just remember it s only a job. There will be another along.
PIP = you are done.
Should note I need to leave before 8 every day to get to sites for requested start times and inductions etc.
The PIP is 3 months with weekly 121.
Would the end game of a failed PIP be sacked then or disciplined?
Currently stand at just the letter of concern.
Would I be losing my pension as well if that s the case?
ETA I’m early 40s, thought I was done with all this nonsense and feel like I’m an apprentice again with the petty micro management.
The PIP is 3 months with weekly 121.
Would the end game of a failed PIP be sacked then or disciplined?
Currently stand at just the letter of concern.
Would I be losing my pension as well if that s the case?
ETA I’m early 40s, thought I was done with all this nonsense and feel like I’m an apprentice again with the petty micro management.
I’m far from an expert, but getting a GP to sign you off with stress and anger issues sounds like a good way to create problems down the line. I’m thinking things like shotgun certificates, medical insurance, life insurance - all sorts of things, but I certainly wouldn’t want it on my record.
Aside from that, it’s amazing how some people seem to progress in companies despite being useless. But then others have to battle for promotions and opportunities (or are simply denied them) despite being competent.
Aside from that, it’s amazing how some people seem to progress in companies despite being useless. But then others have to battle for promotions and opportunities (or are simply denied them) despite being competent.
Had this with a previous employer ( also involved with pipes).
Personally wouldn't recommend the " stress" route.
I'm guessing your industry is a small one like mine.
Word gets round ( and twisted)
Get a job elsewhere.
If you're 40 you'll be known in the industry. Put some quiet feelers out.
Also ( in the if I'd known then what I know now category), if you genuinely feel you are being managed out go and talk to HR.
Ask a direct question
" Is there a deal to be made here?"
Best mate and coworker walked in and straight out asked that. Let's just say that there was.
You can still be loofor another job whilst negotiating.
On a personal note, don't be too hard on yourself, it's crap when someone above you in the hierarchy ( usually someone who couldn't do your job in 3 lifetimes) wants rid of you. Both the people who wanted rid of me ended up getting unceremoniously booted out within a couple of years!
Finally as others have said don't waste money on solicitors.
If you get anywhere near going to court it will be thousands.
Personally wouldn't recommend the " stress" route.
I'm guessing your industry is a small one like mine.
Word gets round ( and twisted)
Get a job elsewhere.
If you're 40 you'll be known in the industry. Put some quiet feelers out.
Also ( in the if I'd known then what I know now category), if you genuinely feel you are being managed out go and talk to HR.
Ask a direct question
" Is there a deal to be made here?"
Best mate and coworker walked in and straight out asked that. Let's just say that there was.
You can still be loofor another job whilst negotiating.
On a personal note, don't be too hard on yourself, it's crap when someone above you in the hierarchy ( usually someone who couldn't do your job in 3 lifetimes) wants rid of you. Both the people who wanted rid of me ended up getting unceremoniously booted out within a couple of years!
Finally as others have said don't waste money on solicitors.
If you get anywhere near going to court it will be thousands.
Fastpedeller said:
You said this:-
Almost 7 years in as a field service engineer for a market leading pump company, a great family company to work for
Can you have a meeting with the senior family member(s)?
Or have I misread the nature of the company.
Overseas family, large company but known to look after their staff well with good perks and away days etc (maybe not the actual workers) Almost 7 years in as a field service engineer for a market leading pump company, a great family company to work for
Can you have a meeting with the senior family member(s)?
Or have I misread the nature of the company.
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