I am being asked to leave... help!

I am being asked to leave... help!

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Yorker Lurkington

Original Poster:

2 posts

77 months

Thursday 5th October 2017
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Hello all,

I'm a regular PistonHeader using another account for the purposes of this post. Please can I request that the sleuthers among you who are able to work out who I am keep it quiet please.

I am an experienced person in my field having done my role for 12 years, 6 of them as a manager, 2 as a manager of managers. I recently moved back up North from London to take a job with a big company that I saw as a long-term role for me with great career prospects. I'm now in my 9th month at the company.

The first 8 months have been great, my projects are moving forward at or ahead of schedule, I've restructured my team and we're now seen as a good shared services team. Last month, I went out ill for 1 day with gastroenteritis, came back the following day still ill as I had to dismiss someone in my team for misconduct. The following week, another member of my team attempted suicide and the following week I was on annual leave. On my return things between my manager and I became... odd.

Immediately upon my return my manager came into my office and told me all the things I was bad at, I requested examples as I know I've performed well against the things I'd been called out on (it was all task related rather than behaviour related). They didn't have any tangible examples but "a feeling" that this wasn't working. I said "fine, let me take this away, deliver and prove that these are not issues." The following week, I sat down with my project plans and went through each with a focus on highlighting where I'd performed against the things I'd been called out on. Instead, on walking in, I got the same conversation, this time with extra anger but still nothing tangible. I lost my cool a little, them they were "being ridiculous as there's no actual evidence... just a fking feeling!". Didn't go down well but needed to be said. I ended the meeting with a question: "is this fixable", response was "I don't know." to which I replied "I know I can do it, I've been doing it for the last 8 months, performing well based on our conversations up until last week, I'll prove it".

Proved it, smashed everything out of the park, kept my powder dry gave my manager zero ammunition to fire back at me. Walked into the meeting today, said I am frustrated that we're here, and ran through where I am with everything... except that's not how it went. I walked into the meeting room planning on doing the rest. Before I got a chance to speak, I was told that they don't think this is going to work out.

What?!

So confused now, how can I go from the hero who came in, built process and structured a failing team to deliver, developed their morale and improved their interaction with the business, got high praise from my manager, their manager, the MD and all my internal customers... to Mr. sthouse fkwit who is a crap underperformer?? Not quite how I worded the question but not far from it.

I quickly realised I'm fighting a loosing battle, something has happened that they're not prepared to tell me and I'm heading for the door. Scapegoat? Genuinely crap & deluded? fk knows but by this stage, I don't care, I'm pissed and I want out of this ridiculousness. So I said "what do you want to do?" the response was "I don't see you here in the future, I'll talk to my manager and come back to you next week."

I've passed my probation period, on a 3 month notice, their policy on dismissals only covers gross misconduct and disciplinary procedures, I fall under neither. So, what the fk do I do... I'm at a loss completely.



Johnnytheboy

24,498 posts

185 months

Thursday 5th October 2017
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Without meaning to sound unduly harsh, someone (or everyone) just doesn't like you. I am not suggesting they are justified, some people are just dicks.

Anything you try to do will only be reinforcing failure, so you can either go willingly, or let them sack you.

Steve Campbell

2,110 posts

167 months

Thursday 5th October 2017
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Can’t give specific advice, but in the same situation I’d be asking for a written confirmation of the reasons why they don’t believe it’s working out, and continue to deliver. I’d also document everything they say and do.

-crookedtail-

1,558 posts

189 months

Thursday 5th October 2017
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Sorry to hear that OP

Were you ever put on a performance plan (PIP)?
Have you spoken to HR?
Have they discussed a settlement agreement?

I would personally say take it on the chin and negotiate a decent package to leave, in my experience when someone wants you gone your days are numbered. I speak from experience and had a similar thing happen to me about 11 months ago, its not a nice thing to happen, especially if you haven't been 'bad' at your job.

Also if you do go down the settlement agreement route, you will need to speak with a legal expert. They look at your case and situation and help determine whether the package is good or not.

Your manager sounds like a wker though, mine was too. However nearly 12 months on I'm in a better job on much more money so although it can look bleak but trust me you will be okay in the end.

Hope that helps.

TooLateForAName

4,727 posts

183 months

Thursday 5th October 2017
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Well there are a couple of things that jump out.


Yorker Lurkington said:
Last month, I went out ill for 1 day with gastroenteritis, came back the following day still ill as I had to dismiss someone in my team for misconduct.

The following week, another member of my team attempted suicide and the following week I was on annual leave.

On my return things between my manager and I became... odd

Muzzer79

9,806 posts

186 months

Thursday 5th October 2017
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Couple of possibilities

1. They are trying to trim costs and you are seen as an easy target. Last in, first out.

2. Your manager is threatened by you and wants to out you before you get too advanced.

3. Your personality or methods don't fit. Plenty of good people with good ideas and good plans don't fit in to companies who just aren't ready or willing to change or accept those ideas.

4. Your manager or someone above your manager feels (justifiably or not) that you are not performing and wants you out accordingly.


Either way, you have little to stand on having been with the company for such a short time.

If I were you, I would pursue an avenue where they let you go immediately, but pay you for 3 months notice so you can find something else.

grumbledoak

31,499 posts

232 months

Thursday 5th October 2017
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TooLateForAName said:
Well there are a couple of things that jump out.
Just a bit. yikes

Fermit The Krog and Sexy Sarah

12,787 posts

99 months

Thursday 5th October 2017
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The corporate work place can be properly stty at times. I don't have much to add, as I am not legally accredited, except to say log EVERYthing of an unfair nature, including printing off things such as emails. If push comes to shove and you are leaving whatever, insist that the only way you shall do so is on the basis that you resigned, and that they give you a glowing reference.
All the best, I've been in similar before, and it is downright crap.

Hammer67

5,706 posts

183 months

Thursday 5th October 2017
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Could be that your manager sees you as a threat to him and is trying to force you out.

You say that those above him and the MD are happy with what you've achieved. It could be that they are unaware of your managers actions.

I would go and have a chat with the MD, if he confirms your manager is acting on behalf of the company then you're history.

If it turns out your manager has gone rogue then you may survive and your manager may not.

SantaBarbara

3,244 posts

107 months

Thursday 5th October 2017
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Are you in a trade union?

HRL

3,330 posts

218 months

Thursday 5th October 2017
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grumbledoak said:
TooLateForAName said:
Well there are a couple of things that jump out.
Just a bit. yikes
Does sound like someone doesn’t approve of your methods, rightly or wrongly.

Paid notice/ garden leave sounds like the best outcome all round.

TooMany2cvs

29,008 posts

125 months

Thursday 5th October 2017
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Yorker Lurkington said:
I'm now in my 9th month at the company.
TBH, this is about the only thing that matters, unfortunately for you.

Yorker Lurkington

Original Poster:

2 posts

77 months

Thursday 5th October 2017
quotequote all
thanks -crookedtail-. I've never been on any plan, my 1:1's literally went from "you're doing brilliantly and everyone thinks you're great" 1 week to "you're crap" in the next 1:1. I think you're advice is very good, take on chin, negotiate package... seems sensible now I've had the drive home to let it sink in... and 2 beers smile

TooLateForAName. Haha!! I could have worded that better!! To be clear, suicide attempt was not work related and I'm the only person in the business that this person will speak to for the moment... I'm just glad they're okay!!

Resounding advice is, negotiate good package, take it and run. That seems like the sensible choice.

It's a shame as I love the role, the company is okay and my team are great but as has been said, this cloud will have a silver lining I'm sure smile

Thanks for the replies so far!

Yipper

5,964 posts

89 months

Thursday 5th October 2017
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Big shot from London rolls in... and in a short space of time... tells the team he's gonna shake them up... one staffer gets the boot... another tries to kill themself... and big shot takes sickie after short time at work... employees and employers in long-formed network get worried and close ranks...

Marcellus

7,111 posts

218 months

Thursday 5th October 2017
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Less than 2 years there's little you can do or get, they have to pay you your notice period and that's it.

They may have valid/invalid reasons but just saying " it's not working" is the easiest and less risky thing for them to say/do.

GadgeS3C

4,516 posts

163 months

Friday 6th October 2017
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Fermit The Krog and Sexy Sarah said:
The corporate work place can be properly stty at times. I don't have much to add, as I am not legally accredited, except to say log EVERYthing of an unfair nature, including printing off things such as emails. If push comes to shove and you are leaving whatever, insist that the only way you shall do so is on the basis that you resigned, and that they give you a glowing reference.
All the best, I've been in similar before, and it is downright crap.
Sound advice - like others I've been through this and it's crap. Don't let it get you down, negotiate the best exit you can and move on.

Terminator X

14,921 posts

203 months

Friday 6th October 2017
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TooMany2cvs said:
Yorker Lurkington said:
I'm now in my 9th month at the company.
TBH, this is about the only thing that matters, unfortunately for you.
Yep, they can get rid for any reason they like as long as not "discrimination". Imho look for another job and get out of there, if they treat you like that why stay.

TX.

Sir Bagalot

6,463 posts

180 months

Saturday 7th October 2017
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GadgeS3C said:
Fermit The Krog and Sexy Sarah said:
The corporate work place can be properly stty at times. I don't have much to add, as I am not legally accredited, except to say log EVERYthing of an unfair nature, including printing off things such as emails. If push comes to shove and you are leaving whatever, insist that the only way you shall do so is on the basis that you resigned, and that they give you a glowing reference.
All the best, I've been in similar before, and it is downright crap.
Sound advice - like others I've been through this and it's crap. Don't let it get you down, negotiate the best exit you can and move on.
This, this and this

silent ninja

863 posts

99 months

Saturday 7th October 2017
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Yipper said:
Big shot from London rolls in... and in a short space of time... tells the team he's gonna shake them up... one staffer gets the boot... another tries to kill themself... and big shot takes sickie after short time at work... employees and employers in long-formed network get worried and close ranks...
What this guy said.

Unfortunately, some company's just don't like progressive employees coming in and ruffling their feathers. It's threatening, makes them feel small, like dinosaurs. They don't see it as an opportunity to harness external knowledge and talent, do things better. Nope. Most of all, it sounds like you have upset the political establishment. You're not playing the game.

Real fact: people often don't act in the best interests of their organisations. There are plenty of dysfunctional organisations. You are in one. They likely promote these idiots because they too are dysfunctional-- which drives the culture of the organisation.

Good luck, I would continue fighting whilst earnestly looking for opportunities elsewhere. They are not a cultural fit for you.

Marcellus

7,111 posts

218 months

Saturday 7th October 2017
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Also, it' s cheaper for a company to "employ" the Bigshot from London and gain the wealth of their experience/insight then sack them than use them as a "contractor" for a nine month contract!