Horrible situation - should I quit?

I'll try to keep this as brief as possible. A few months ago, I decided I would move abroad for a while, and that I would temp for 6 months or so to get some money together. I was intending to do 3 weeks here, 2 weeks there etc, but I was offered a contract role for 6 months, so I took that. I was very pleased as it meant less hassle for me and a more stable situation, and the company seemed a nice place to work. All was well for the first few days, then for no reason I can see, one woman (senior to me) started being a total cow to me. When I said good morning, she didn't respond, she was ridiculously snappy to me and basically just acted like I didn't exist. I don't appreciate being treated like a dog but I tried to keep things civil - I was there to do my job. I noticed that soon her 'pals' started behaving the same way, making snide comments to me, and generally being b*tchy for no reason. I've always been told I'm very easygoing to work with, I try to smile a lot and be pleasant to everyone, and this is the first time I've had such a problem. I've worked in places that were catty, but because I didn't get involved, nobody was catty to me, so this behaviour came as a shock.

I was disappointed that this workplace, which I'd thought I'd really enjoy, ended up being a b*tchfest, but I decided to let it roll off my back and just do the job, and enjoy my social life outside work. Well, today I was called into the bosses office and he said there had been some complaints about me. I was expecting to hear I'd sent something to the wrong place, or written a cheque for the wrong amount or some 'mistake', but these 'allegations' were total rubbish! Real cobbled together BS, and it all came from these catty girls. One accusation was that I apparently refused to do something, but I had in fact done it and had a delivery receipt to prove it! What had happened was that I said I hadn't used that courier company before, but I'd figure it out. All said in a lighthearted way, just making conversation. At the time the person seemed pleased, and then they went and reported me! Another one was that I put through a call to management without screening it, when in fact it was a temp who did that, as it was her first day and she didn't know what she was doing. I said these things just flat out didn't happen, and they accused me of being defensive and not taking criticism. Surely it's a basic right to deny something that just didn't happen? I'm more than happy to accept constructive criticism, but it's something else when you didn't even do anything!

The other comments were that I don't appear confident enough and don't appear to be very happy (it's hard to look thrilled when people are being nasty for absolutely no reason). I said to the boss I felt I was being bullied, and he totally dismissed me. He immediately went to the defence of the woman who is always nasty, and said it's normal for people to snap and be nasty when they're under pressure. I said I didn't think it was normal at all - it may happen, but I don't think it should be condoned by management. I don't think it's that difficult to be civil to someone. I don't want best friends, but I do expect people to reply when I greet them. He said he didn't agree. I also said I didn't think it was appropriate to report colleagues to the boss without giving them a chance to explain (re the misunderstandings about the phone call), that it's rather nasty and backstabbing, and he said he didn't agree. I'm not some naive school leaver, I've worked in a lot of places, and I've never had a complaint made against me to the boss by either customers or colleagues. And I worked in customer service for months.

So basically I have 3 weeks to 'improve my performance' or I'm fired. Is this even legal? Or do you have to be employed a year to challenge a dismissal? My main issues are that

1) I have a 6 month contract, I'm not a temp
2) I don't think I've done anything to warrant dismissal. I'm never late, I'm professional on the phone and in person, I've never forgotten to do something, never been rude to someone. The main issues seem to be that I'm not friendly enough to clients and lack confidence - and this probably stems from the horrid atmosphere in the place.

What should I do? Should I just quit before I get fired? If I get fired, will future employers know? I'm absolutely crushed because I really needed the pay to go abroad and was counting on the 6 months of work, but it looks like they really want to get rid of me. And tbh, I don't think I could hack another few months of this environment, it's already wearing me down into the ground. Should I just cut my losses and leave?

RedXIV

In your shoes? i'd start looking for another job, now.

Don't quit the one you are in now till you find one but as soon as you do, walk out that door. You're more than likely not going to get a good reference so don't bother with the two weeks notice or anything and just find yourself a job you can live with.

Also, if you don't put them down as a reference, then who will know you left them?

who's yer one?

tbh, i would just walk. okay i can sometimes act in the heat of the monent from time to time, but from what i got from your post, you're just trying to get some money together, if you can get money somewhere else for a few months, why put up with the hassle? it's not a career you're walking away from, and i doubt you've heard the last of these cows. if it gets out that you've a few weeks to shape up, it could just give them a goal to get you fired. i wouldn't want to walk around on eggshells because of something i didn't even do, and your boss doesn't seem to be even letting you explain yourself. as i said, i'm somewhat of a hothead in that kind of situation, so i would tell him to stuff his job. it's not worth the crap and this way they can't fire you if you already quit (i don't know the rules about questioning dismissals, sorry)
good luck!

If they were to fire me, would they have to give me notice? The contract says I (and they) have to give a months notice, but would that apply if I was fired?

greendevil8

If this was a permanent full-time job in which you intended to stay I would advise you to keep a log of every incident which occurs along with times and witnesses, that way you could firstly approach this person and nicely ask them to stop there behaviour, if this failed you could then make a formal complaint to your boss/ or hr department if you have one. The log of events would strenghten your case. However why put yourself through all this when your only on a six month contract, if its just casual work your looking for then you should be able to find something else easily enough even its just bar/waiting/call centre.
there is obviosly a culture of this type of bullying in that company that you will not change. If she had a problem with you she should have approached you first your absolutely right and the boss should have been able to see this. What I would say though is that if you think you were being bullied that meeting wasnt the time or place to bring this up as it may have looked like you were looking for excuses. My advice get another job asap give in your notice and tell the boss/hr exactly why you are leaving.

RedXIV

if your getting fired, usually you don't get much notice

greendevil8

they can fire you and since you are not there 12 months you dont have the protection of the unfair dismissals act. checl out your contract usually they would have something in it that states the first 6 months is probationary and that they can terminate at any time due to various circumstances, thats the norn anyway. by law its one weeks notice, however they could just let you go and give you your months pay if they where determined to get rid of you quick.

Quality

Jesus OP, They sound like a horrible shower of *****s!!

I agree with the other posters, Seeing as this is only a temporary contract I would start looking for work elsewhere straight away.

Was it an agency who got this role for you? If it was I would get onto them and explain the situation, and ask them to get you back on their books asap to get you a new job.

Best of luck... And deep breaths...:)

Afuera

Horrible situation to be in OP.

You have one thing to your advantage here: It is notoriously difficult to fire someone legitimately in Ireland. Unless you are putting others at risk, there has to be a number of official warning (written) and you have to be given a chance to address any shortcomings highlighted. Normally they will have to pay you your notice if you get fired . http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garden_leave

As things stand the actions the company are undertaking sound very like constructive dismissal. Maybe they are feeling the pinch and need to lose a few staff members? Since you have a temporary contract they may have thought that you are the least likely to put up a fight? Who knows?

If I was in your shoes I would stick it out where you are, since it is only for another few months.

DenMan

Hi OP

This must be a very stressing time for you. Don't worry because help is at hand. First of all I think you should leave immediately. Nobody deserves to be treated that way by anyone, whether it is a full/part time job or even temping. You have been unfairly treated. You should write off the last six months or so off your CV completely. Make no reference to it whatsoever. I know what it is like to go out to a new country on your own and work there. I worked in Malta, working in Film/TV. The company I worked for was ran by two Libyan men. (Malta has strong connections with Libya and is in fact more of an North African country than European) All they did was scream instructions at me, all the time. I put it past me and concentrated on my work, made great contacts and worked freelance for others.

You are unhappy right now, therefore you have to leave, for your own sake and for your future career. Return to Ireland and then after a while reward yourself by going away on a holiday, somewhere nice and warm where you can feel better about yourself. You have the power to take yourself out of your current situation. The other girls might have got a bit jealous/competitive seeing the way you took to your work. I don't know for certain but you need to do what is right for you. Good luck....:)

Redpunto

I think you have two choices, just walk with no notice or take this to someone higher in the company as obviously you wont get anywhere with the management you were dealing with. Sounds like those cows are just jealous or bored, probably best for your own sanity just to leave and dont be worrying bout future employers finding out, just never mention the fact you worked there. Get yourself somewhere nice to work for the next few months, even if the pay isnt as good, as long as the people are nice itll make the world of difference.

Yeah it's been suggested they are jealous - of what I don't know. What is wrong with some women? I forget to mention I haven't had a problem with any of the men in the company.

I think I should just to go the boss and hand in my notice - and I think I might just say I'm shocked and appalled that they can do this on the basis of hearsay. Not one of the things they put to me was related to me not doing my job properly, and several things were exaggerated to make me look bad. When I brought this up, the boss said I must have misheard, because the woman never said that! (He was there in the meeting) Unbelievable! And the fact he said he wasn't going to apologise for people ignoring me, snapping at me or telling tales on me, that this was all 'normal'. Should I bother bringing this up again or is it a waste of time? I told him that all the temps we had in hated the place and said they'd never work there, but he didn't seem bothered. His attitude was 'leave if you don't like it.' One question I have is - when I hand in my notice, am I entitled to a month's pay, as the notice period in my contract is one month?

Thanks for the help everyone!

greendevil8

No unfortunately you wont be entitled to a months pay if you give in your notice, that only applies if the company give you notice of their intention to terminate your contract. under the contract they must give you one months notice or let you go on the spot with one months pay, either way you will get a months pay off them if they are the ones who terminate the contract. However if you are the party giving the notice and its only one weeks notice then you will only be paid for what you have actually worked plus any accrued holiday pay due to you. Good luck to you in whatever you do and as other posters have said just put it down to experience and dont include it in your CV, learn from it though and in future be aware that the workplace is full of jealous incompetent bullies , if this ever happens again keep exect notes from day one , and if you do ever have the misfortune of having to complain you will have a strong case.

Oakbark

Protection of Employees (Part-Time Work) Act 2001

The above link has some rights in relation to dismissal. If you are dismissed, or constructively dismissed, you may have a case if you go before a Rights Commissioner.

Oak.

I don't understand why I wouldn't get paid if I gave my notice. In my contract its a months notice from either party - wouldn't that mean I'd work a month after handing it in? If this is the case, then it might be better to get fired? It's just the humiliation of getting fired from a job that's doing my head in!

BTW, I do have notes and emails and a witness to the bullying but it was all completely dismissed by the boss.

Miss Fluff

You poor thing, what a nightmare. Tbh I reckon cut your losses and run. There is lots of temp and contract work out there so register with another agency tomorrow and they should have something for you within a few days. Does the agency or your employer hold your P45?Have you mentioned this to the agency that has placed you there in the first place?

dade

[quote=[Deleted User];56455469]

BTW, I do have notes and emails and a witness to the bullying but it was all completely dismissed by the boss.[/QUOTE]

I'd walk out if that was the case, if you have provided the boss with proof to validate your claim and they ignore you I'd tell them where to stick it.

growler

I suggest you write a formal letter to the manager and to the HR manager and make it official, once you said the word "bully" your manager should have stopped the conversation and arranged a meeting with HR, once you've made him aware of the situation I think it would be very risky of them to fire you, in fact even threatening to fire you is a bit reckless (legally) on their part.

Go formal, they'll suddenly start acting nice or pay you off enough to shut you up and save themselves a whole world of pain.

ntlbell

I wouldn't waste another minute in the place..

walk, life's too short.

If I walk though I won't get paid for this last week. I was really relying on the money this month. Yes, he was completely dismissive of my claims, just totally brushed it off and acted like I was being a drama queen. He said the complaints against me hadn't all come from this woman, so then of course, she couldn't be bullying me :rolleyes:

It's just so awful because the job market doesn't look good at the moment. I was really relying on this contract to save money, and now it's looking like I might have to go back to my parents who live 3 hours away. I'm sharing a flat but it's still really expensive and if I wasn't earning or was earning less, it would be too expensive for me to live here, let alone save. I suppose I don't have much choice - I certainly can't stay there after all this!

axer

[quote=[Deleted User];56463308]If I walk though I won't get paid for this last week. I was really relying on the money this month.[/quote]They have to pay you for what you work from what I know.

[quote=[Deleted User];56463308]Yes, he was completely dismissive of my claims, just totally brushed it off and acted like I was being a drama queen. He said the complaints against me hadn't all come from this woman, so then of course, she couldn't be bullying me :rolleyes:[/quote]Why not just make a complaint over his head. It cannot harm you in anyway. Worse case scenario just quit then - at least it will show him up and could possibly fix the situation whereby they have to be nice to your for the remaining few months. The manager could act like a prick again to someone and if they get another letter then too they might see the problem. Don't expect a lot though since you are only a temp at the end of the day.

[quote=[Deleted User];56463308]It's just so awful because the job market doesn't look good at the moment. I was really relying on this contract to save money, and now it's looking like I might have to go back to my parents who live 3 hours away. I'm sharing a flat but it's still really expensive and if I wasn't earning or was earning less, it would be too expensive for me to live here, let alone save. I suppose I don't have much choice - I certainly can't stay there after all this![/quote]If you can just put up with it for a short while while you look for something but if it causing a lot of stress then you might be better off leaving.

DenMan

Hope it works out for you OP.