Just lost job, and I need advice

LegacyUser

Hi to all,
I am a Polish girl who has been living in Ireland since 2005. I love it here, have a wonderful Irish boyfriend and plan on spending my life here. However, the one thing in my life that is not so great is my job.

I recently started a job as a waitress and drinks-runner in a high class restaurant in January. I took it because it gave me stable hours and goodpay with tips. I worked hard at the job, and up until last Friday, I never had any complaints about my work. I asked managers how I was doing and It was always positive.

Then on Friday before last, just as I was finishing work, the main manager came to me.He told be that I wasn't good enough and that I needed to show a big improvent of they would find someone else. I could not believe what I heard. He also told me that he was cutting my Monday until I show him an improvement. I went home in total shock and cried for most of the weekend. But I wanted to show him wrong starting Tuesday morning. Unfortunately I became very sick that weekend, and I was started on antibiotics on Monday. I went to work anyways and gave it my all. It was hard, but I was doing well, until the end, I mixed up one order. This happens to people lots.

I kept working until Thursday evening until I was so sick that I could barely speak. Another manager saw this and told be that I should go home and recover. I did this for 2 hours Thursday and they got someone to cover for Friday.

I went to the restaurant this morning to see if I had done enough to get my Monday back. I was told by the main manager (the one that told me I needed to show an improvement) that she was giving me Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at reduced hours and then I was finished with them. He said that I messed up an order earlier in the week, and that it was a "major problem". He asked me if I thought it was fair, and I said I didn't know.

I really am in shock today as I feel like I do not deserve to lose my job. He also said that they were making cuts on lots of peoples hours...maybe that is why. But why give me an excuse! This is wrong!

Please, can anyone tell me if they were wrong to fire me. I got no written warning, and no time to prove myself (1 day when that manager was there). I feel bad today.

Thank you all for reading!

kittex

This sounds very stressful. Especially as you are viewing this not just as a a job, but as a large part of your life, a way of staying in Ireland and that is making you panic at the thought of losing it.

The trick when dealing with people like this is to remove the emotion.
Try to step back from the situation and look at it objectively.

Did the manager tell you what you had to improve at? Did he give you specifics?

Obviously, we only have your side of things but it sounds like you are trying to please an employer who is looking for an excuse to let people go.
Is it really worth working for people like this?

Could you spend your Monday looking for a new job?

Fanny Cradock

Not sure of the legality of it - at a guess I would that unless you can prove wrongful dismissal than there is nothing you can do. You might have better luck with the legal end of things in the Jobs Forum
or maybe the legal forum (if there is one). I realise that this is a big shock, but it sounds like you have a lot going for you. For instance, your written English is excellent and there really is a world of opportunity open to you. I'd encourage you to forget these losers and seek something better.

Good luck

LegacyUser

'Thatnk you for the replies.

Kittex, I am by myself for most of the day, and there is always a manager to help. When the manager told be I need to improve, he did not say why. When I asked on Tuesday what I needed to improve, he said that I need to put customers first and leave cleaning tables until last. I remember there was one evening that I went to clean tables while a manager served, but I feel that the manager should do the more glamorous job, and I will do the less glamorous job? But he said I was wrong.

So last week I made sure that custiomers came first and they did. It seems like I am wrong whatever I do, but I gave it my all, and it looks like its not good enough.'

jhegarty

If you have been working there less than 12 month you can be sacked without warning or reason... unless its because you are female/polish....

Zambia

I do agree , your written english is in fact far beyond many posters here. You could fight this sacking (I see it more as just being let go) but your best option is get back out there and find a better job or even just another one.

Mark it as an experience/Bad luck and try again..

cornbb

I would seriously question the legality of what they did to you. You have rights as a worker in Ireland and those rights should not be abused. I don't know where to point you for advice, going to the Work/Jobs forum might be a good start if you want to know where to look for advice.

Wishbone Ash

cornbb wrote:

I would seriously question the legality of what they did to you. You have rights as a worker in Ireland and those rights should not be abused

Although it may be harsh, it seems to be perfectly legal. The Unfair Dismissals Act does not apply to employees who have less that 365 days continuous service with the employer. There are several exceptions to this but I don't think they are applicable in this case. (eg. union membership, pregnancy, religious beliefs, race, gender).