Sacked from job; any recourse?
Discussion
A mate of mine has just been sacked from work for 'performance issues'.
Having actually spoke to him he seemed to be of the impression that they were unkeen to pay his salary, and were clutching at straws to get rid of him.
He was looking for another job anyway, but is wondering whether he's been sacked correctly.
Effectively:
He had a single meeting before which he was told that he was isolating himself from within the rest of the team. He said that it was due to them all chatting about Football together, and he has no idea or interest in football so kept himself to himself, and focussed on the work.
They believed his knowledge not be where they thought it would be, bearing in mind they were expecting him to know about items he has no knowledge about, and has never worked on, or put on his CV.
They believed he failed to understand the urgency around resource allocation. He confirmed that he has, however historically working for much larger companies, the volume they believed to be busy, for him, wasn't.
Communications with customers and colleagues not to the level they expected within the management system being used. He advised them that he was receiving large amounts of positive feedback (only ever has been positive) from customers which have also historically been difficult, but agreed to work to progress and improve management system updates.
They were referring to his mental health, stating that he didn't seem happy at work. He openly admits that he has had a lot on at home yesterday with his OH being seriously ill, Dad having a cancer scare, facing losing his previous job through redundancy as well as his own health issues.
They believed he didn't want to be in the office, and was clock watching to go home. He said this simply wasn't the case, and he was still finding the time flying, and was enjoying the work.
It was confirmed that he was on 6 month probation, having only been there for 4 months he agreed to take everything on board, advised how he would progress himself, in each the areas listed including the urgency, and comms between the team and updating the management system.
Around a month later (last week) he was away on holiday Monday to visit the Drs, and when returning on Tuesday he was hailed in for a meeting, and told his performance hadn't improved enough, and they were "annoyed" with how his management system updates weren't good enough following on from the previous meeting.
He was then sacked due to the above, and called me to see whether it was worth pursuing any recourse from his old company?
What makes him question their motives is that on multiple occasions, he was told that he was earning the same as the directors which has questioned whether they were looking for an excuse to get rid of him, and were potentially clutching at straws.
TL;DR.
Company commented on performance issues, made progress to improve them, but sacked anyway.
Having actually spoke to him he seemed to be of the impression that they were unkeen to pay his salary, and were clutching at straws to get rid of him.
He was looking for another job anyway, but is wondering whether he's been sacked correctly.
Effectively:
He had a single meeting before which he was told that he was isolating himself from within the rest of the team. He said that it was due to them all chatting about Football together, and he has no idea or interest in football so kept himself to himself, and focussed on the work.
They believed his knowledge not be where they thought it would be, bearing in mind they were expecting him to know about items he has no knowledge about, and has never worked on, or put on his CV.
They believed he failed to understand the urgency around resource allocation. He confirmed that he has, however historically working for much larger companies, the volume they believed to be busy, for him, wasn't.
Communications with customers and colleagues not to the level they expected within the management system being used. He advised them that he was receiving large amounts of positive feedback (only ever has been positive) from customers which have also historically been difficult, but agreed to work to progress and improve management system updates.
They were referring to his mental health, stating that he didn't seem happy at work. He openly admits that he has had a lot on at home yesterday with his OH being seriously ill, Dad having a cancer scare, facing losing his previous job through redundancy as well as his own health issues.
They believed he didn't want to be in the office, and was clock watching to go home. He said this simply wasn't the case, and he was still finding the time flying, and was enjoying the work.
It was confirmed that he was on 6 month probation, having only been there for 4 months he agreed to take everything on board, advised how he would progress himself, in each the areas listed including the urgency, and comms between the team and updating the management system.
Around a month later (last week) he was away on holiday Monday to visit the Drs, and when returning on Tuesday he was hailed in for a meeting, and told his performance hadn't improved enough, and they were "annoyed" with how his management system updates weren't good enough following on from the previous meeting.
He was then sacked due to the above, and called me to see whether it was worth pursuing any recourse from his old company?
What makes him question their motives is that on multiple occasions, he was told that he was earning the same as the directors which has questioned whether they were looking for an excuse to get rid of him, and were potentially clutching at straws.
TL;DR.
Company commented on performance issues, made progress to improve them, but sacked anyway.
SAS Tom said:
Having only been there 4 months I doubt there’s anything he can do. It’s probably not worth the stress of pursuing anything. Better to move on.
That's what I initially said, but he's concerned that it could be a while and he has bills that he's worried about, as the main bread winner for the family. Blanchimont said:
SAS Tom said:
Having only been there 4 months I doubt there’s anything he can do. It’s probably not worth the stress of pursuing anything. Better to move on.
That's what I initially said, but he's concerned that it could be a while and he has bills that he's worried about, as the main bread winner for the family. Blanchimont said:
That's what I initially said, but he's concerned that it could be a while and he has bills that he's worried about, as the main bread winner for the family.
Sadly, if he's worried about the bills then a lengthy and expensive legal process is the last thing he should be considering.IANAL but as I understand it they’ve already done/said more than they needed to, it’s as simple as they just say “we’re sorry but it’s not working for us, here’s your notice”.
We were always recommended if dealing with a member of the team with less than 2 years that you didn’t want any more you didn’t make things more complicated by giving them reasons to question the decision.
Tell your mate to move on and use his notice period to find a new job (easier said than done in current climate)
We were always recommended if dealing with a member of the team with less than 2 years that you didn’t want any more you didn’t make things more complicated by giving them reasons to question the decision.
Tell your mate to move on and use his notice period to find a new job (easier said than done in current climate)
I think he's just s
tting it essentially as he's the main breadwinner in house, which covers the rent, car payments etc, and his Mrs income is used for her debts, and to allow a little extra saving. Without his earnings he's up the creek without a paddle!
He's had a few interviews today, and a couple last week, which do look positive. I'm helping him by looking out for jobs for him too, but I can see he's seriously struggling with it all.
That being said, I can see he's in a better place than he was when there, but now stressing about providing for his family. Poor sod.
It was more-so to see whether he had any recourse with them. I was doubtful, but having not been in that situation before I wanted a 2nd opinion.
tting it essentially as he's the main breadwinner in house, which covers the rent, car payments etc, and his Mrs income is used for her debts, and to allow a little extra saving. Without his earnings he's up the creek without a paddle! He's had a few interviews today, and a couple last week, which do look positive. I'm helping him by looking out for jobs for him too, but I can see he's seriously struggling with it all.
That being said, I can see he's in a better place than he was when there, but now stressing about providing for his family. Poor sod.
It was more-so to see whether he had any recourse with them. I was doubtful, but having not been in that situation before I wanted a 2nd opinion.
thepeoplespal said:
When up and running again, easy access to 6 months salary as rainy day money is a good idea to have before getting any toys. After redundancy I'm still trying to rebuild reserves 18 months after the last episode.
That is sound advice....I doubt many people do that though!As for the OP if your friend was still on probation there is nothing he can do.
Blanchimont said:
That being said, I can see he's in a better place than he was when there,
This seems telling. I've seen a few friends ground down by unhappiness at work and for one in particular it's been soul destroying. Pleas over 5+ years to get out fell on deaf ears and when they finally made him redundant he spent far too many years being bitter about it. Life's too short for sh*tty jobs and the effects they can have on people.Gassing Station | Jobs & Employment Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff