Advice required on work related issue

[geek84]

Good Evening folks

I hope you're all well and a very happy new year to you all !!

Can someone kindly give advice on the issue I have at work please?

I have been working full time in the finance dept. for a private company on a permanent basis for the last 18 months, having passed their initial 3 month probation.

However, last October, a job opportunity came up in their accounts dept. and I moved into this new dept. after having a chat with my line manager and financial controller. I was put on a 3 month probation again, and trained up quite quickly and made my own notes (regarding how to perform my job related tasks) as we went along. However, i am still a bit rusty on some of the tasks and have made several mistakes. I have requested my line manager to sit down with me again, so that I can correct my notes and fill in any gaps in my knowledge. The manager keeps on saying that there is a large work load for her to get through and if I have any issues then to raise them at my work review meeting which will be take place in about 2 weeks time, when my 3 month probation will end.

If in that meeting, the manager argues that I have been given all the necessary training, and should be up to speed with performing my designated tasks (which I am not) and consequently decides to fire me, do I have grounds for appeal? Or, do you think it be better just to collect my belongings and work out of the building?

Any advice greatly appreciated.

[rog007]

It seems you’re anticipating the doomesday scenario, which is understandable if you’ve not been having regular 1:1s with your line manager (which can be a sign of poor leadership on behalf of the line manager and potentially poor upwards management by the employee).

No one is perfect, and it’s how we react to mistakes to prevent a reoccurrence that is important. If reoccurring mistakes happen, then that can certainly be an indicator to a deeper issue that would need addressing.

So in your case; I’d switch from thinking negatively to thinking more positively to what you have achieved. Where you do have gaps, be honest and reflective and ask for support to close them. A great line manager should welcome this attitude assuming all other things (e.g sickness rate) are in good order.

Good luck and do come back and let us know how you got on.

[geek84]

Thanks very much indeed for your responses rog007
I will get back with updates

[silent ninja]

For your review, think about all the positive things you have done. I am sure if you weighed things that have gone well, how much progress you have made, it will far outweigh the gaps you have in training. Be specific, include evidence where possible - data, emails, feedback etc

I would pitch the gaps as "even better if..." toward the back end of your review, but keep the tone of the meeting focused on all the great things you've done and your ambition going forward. Remember, they've invested 3 months in you already, they won't want to start from scratch.

You also need to work on being likable by your manager and colleagues - are you anticipating your manager's needs and attempting to address them? Likability is more of a factor than your performance (beyond basic competence). Unfortunately, this is how corporate hiring/firing/promoting works.

[lyonspride]

There are two possibilities.......

1) Your manager knows less than you do, and does not want to help because doing so would lay blame for your mistakes onto them.

2) You've screwed up a few times, manager thinks they taught you everything, but deep down knows they did a bad job of it, your now a liability, a walking example of how st the manager actually is and they'll say "no thanks" in 2 weeks time.

[geek84]

Good morning folks

I hope you're all well. Many thanks indeed for your replies.

Any further advice greatly appreciated.

[Mr Obertshaw]

lyonspride said:

There are two possibilities.......

1) Your manager knows less than you do, and does not want to help because doing so would lay blame for your mistakes onto them.

2) You've screwed up a few times, manager thinks they taught you everything, but deep down knows they did a bad job of it, your now a liability, a walking example of how st the manager actually is and they'll say "no thanks" in 2 weeks time.

Or... Option 3) You're doing fine, the mistakes you've made are acceptable in the context of your experience. The manager really is busy and their concerns with about your performance aren't that great that they need to prioritise sorting things out.

Without being unkind I suspect you already know which is the truth and whether your. Doing a satisfactory job or not. I'm doubtful that you are going to get anything other than increased anxiety from advice on here certainly if you only have 2 weeks before your review.

[geek84]

Good Morning Mr Abertshawe

Many thanks indeed for your reply.

[langtounlad]

OP perhaps your attention to detail isn't quite at the required standard? Re-read the above re. usernames.
Are your errors due to lack of training and consequent understanding or just poor implementation?
If the former, then the employer should be helping you. If the latter then you should be addressing this personally.
btw, this is meant to be a constructive post, I'm not trolling.

[geek84]

Thanks for you reply.

[geek84]

Hi Folks

I hope you're all well. Just to give you an update on my work situation:

My 3 month probation expired on Tuesday 15th, and my line manager has not mentioned anything about a review meeting, so I don't as yet know whether or not I have passed my probation! She has continued to give me work to do as normal.

However, she did mention on Wednesday the 16th of whether I will be bringing in cakes or samosas on my birthday, which is on 25th January.

I will continue to give you folks further updates, as and when.

Thanks for your responses, so far.

[surveyor]

You have passed. You would have known by now if you had not.....

[geek84]

Thanks, unless they decide to hold the review meeting next week and decide to extend my probation !!!

[anonymous-user]

i think you are worrying about noting, you have continuous employment rights, and any company worth it's salt won't just sack you.

Maybe relax and just get on with it and don't overthink.

[geek84]

Ok.

Thank You.

[surveyor]

geek84 said:

Thanks, unless they decide to hold the review meeting next week and decide to extend my probation !!!

To extend it, they would have needed to do this before the 3 months expired.

[anonymous-user]

From my experience of people failing probation are multiple warnings before the 3 month review. it's a new role to you, they know your skills, they know it would take time honestly don't fret....

[geek84]

Once again, thanks for your replies.

[geek84]

Hi folks

An update on my work situation ...

Some of the more 'important' tasks have been taken away from me and I have been allocated the 'lesser' important' tasks such as photocopying and repetitive data entry. The reason I was given was that I have made quite a few mistakes on the original job tasks allocated to me when I joined the department in October 2017.

However, I have not as yet had a one to one with my manager or finance controller, ever since I have started working in this dept.

My question is ..

If they decide to get rid of me within the next few weeks or so, can I argue that I have never had a one to one since I started in this dept, or shall I just collect my belongings and leave the building, since I have been with the company for less than 2 years, so don't have full employee rights?

Thanks in advance for you responses.

[johnwilliams77]

geek84 said:

Hi folks

An update on my work situation ...

Some of the more 'important' tasks have been taken away from me and I have been allocated the 'lesser' important' tasks such as photocopying and repetitive data entry. The reason I was given was that I have made quite a few mistakes on the original job tasks allocated to me when I joined the department in October 2017.

However, I have not as yet had a one to one with my manager or finance controller, ever since I have started working in this dept.

My question is ..

If they decide to get rid of me within the next few weeks or so, can I argue that I have never had a one to one since I started in this dept, or shall I just collect my belongings and leave the building, since I have been with the company for less than 2 years, so don't have full employee rights?

Thanks in advance for you responses.

Unfortunately you would be wasting your time. If I were you, I would be doing two things:

> Seeing if you can make it work. Speak to someone senior and tell them you have had personal troubles and have not been sleeping but want to do well and progress. To do that, you need accountability and to be engaged. If they ignore this, do your best with what you have. Try not to wind people up and work hard.
> Find something else, pronto if it isn't going to work out.