unfair dismissal!

bebes

I'm just over 2 months in a new job and I just got fired today for "insubordination".

I walked into the kitchen for 20seconds today "outside lunch time" (just to take something out of the fridge), the MD walked in and accused me of being unprofessional and undermined my honesty to our clients, when I told him I disagree he sacked me.

Can he really do this?....I'm on a 6 month probation but its so ridiculous I can't imagine how this sort of thing can't be legal!

Would appreciate any input.....I'm very upset about the whole thing.

bigjohnny80

Come on, tell us the full story...

pog it

I suspect that someone has it in for you in your office. They may have tipped off the MD. It's possible.

If not, then it doesn't sound like a nice place to work- maybe you are better off..

superrdave

in short, probably not, as i think you need to be in the job a year before you are entitled to protection under the unfair dismissals act.

anyway, talk to a solicitor and see what they say and don't just take my word for it.

also, chances are this thread will be locked pretty soon, if not deleted.

bebes

OK, took out my food so it would defrost before lunch (literally too me 20 seconds) when the MD came in and started giving out yards telling me I'm not paid to be in here outside work hours. I apologised and explained I just took it out to defrost when he kept saying he doesn;t care that he pays me to be at my desk and that I as I bill clients by the 15mins I am responsible to be at my desk etc etc (he was being extremely rude and slightly aggressive so I told him I would take the time (ie 20seconds) out of my break which aparently was insubordinate of me.

My manager then came in and ate me for saying this to him and when I tried to defend myself he fired me!

That's exactly what happened!

Einstein

sounds like you're better off tbh!

Kristopherus

Superdave is on the right track. If you have only 2 months service, you can be sacked on the spot.

bebes

I know I'm better off out of the place.....8 people walked out of it 4 months ago due to similar unreasonable behaviour but its so unfair that he can treat people like dirt and get away with it!

munstergirl

Sorry to hear what happened not very professional.
But yes you can be "fired" let go, not needed anymore for any reason for the 1st 12 weeks of any job. Contract or no contract.
Put it behind you + start job hunting again. Think they do have to pay you 1 weeks notice but not sure. Its not even worth getting upset about.
Enjoy your lie in the morning

bebes

Ah thanks everyone for all the replies....feel better already.

:O)

SoulTrader

bebes wrote: »

OK, took out my food so it would defrost before lunch (literally too me 20 seconds) when the MD came in and started giving out yards telling me I'm not paid to be in here outside work hours. I apologised and explained I just took it out to defrost when he kept saying he doesn;t care that he pays me to be at my desk and that I as I bill clients by the 15mins I am responsible to be at my desk etc etc (he was being extremely rude and slightly aggressive so I told him I would take the time (ie 20seconds) out of my break which aparently was insubordinate of me.

My manager then came in and ate me for saying this to him and when I tried to defend myself he fired me!

That's exactly what happened!

What an a%shole! You're better off out of there.

Does he report to anyone, or does he own the business himself? If he regularly bullies staff like that, then maybe someone higher up than him would be interested in hearing your complaint.

bebes

SoulTrader wrote: »

What an a%shole! You're better off out of there.

Does he report to anyone, or does he own the business himself? If he regularly bullies staff like that, then maybe someone higher up than him would be interested in hearing your complaint.

Yea he owns the place so guess he can do what he likes. They've already advertised my position....would love to tell everyone who they are!

Lollymcd

bebes wrote: »

Yea he owns the place so guess he can do what he likes. They've already advertised my position....would love to tell everyone who they are!

Would love to know!!! Can bebes say who the employer is?!?!

bebes

Lollymcd wrote: »

Would love to know!!! Can bebes say who the employer is?!?!

I seriously doubt it, but honestly I feel possible employees should know what they're getting themselves into.

45 hours per week. 30 mins lunch. A head case boss and a salary below the industrial wage.

I'm a PhD chemist by the way so if anyone wants to give me a job I promise I'm not "insubordinate"!

PK2008

bebes wrote: »

I seriously doubt it, but honestly I feel possible employees should know what they're getting themselves into.

45 hours per week. 30 mins lunch. A head case boss and a salary below the industrial wage.

I'm a PhD chemist by the way so if anyone wants to give me a job I promise I'm not "insubordinate"!

Dont say the name OP im pretty sure its against the rules

but anyway you sound better off to be honest. You probably have a bit of anger about the way you were treated but just let it go, it sounds like the place is on the slide, probably why the management is so snappy.

You earned a Phd, you dont need that crap, you'll get another job soon enough and this will be a blessing in disguise.

bebes

PK2008 wrote: »

Dont say the name OP im pretty sure its against the rules

but anyway you sound better off to be honest. You probably have a bit of anger about the way you were treated but just let it go, it sounds like the place is on the slide, probably why the management is so snappy.

You earned a Phd, you dont need that crap, you'll get another job soon enough and this will be a blessing in disguise.

Thanks a mil, I'm sure your right and I'll look back and laugh....just hope the dole queue isn't too long tomorrow!! :O)

Bluetonic

bebes wrote: »

I'm a PhD chemist by the way so if anyone wants to give me a job I promise I'm not "insubordinate"!

Should be plenty of work out there with the Head Shops looking for new products

bebes

Bluetonic wrote: »

Should be plenty of work out there with the Head Shops looking for new products

Ha Ha thanks for the advice but I'm gonna be more selective with my employers from now on.....no nutters!:D

AARRRGH

I would like to hear the employer's side to this story. I can't help but feel we haven't heard all the details...

But regardless, employment law in Ireland only really kicks in after 12 months, and when on probation they can get rid of you easy peasy.

With a Ph.D in Chemistry you'll get another job no bother.

jimoc

bebes wrote: »

he kept saying he doesn;t care that he pays me to be at my desk and that I as I bill clients by the 15mins I am responsible to be at my desk etc etc

My response to that would be a slowly spreading pool of urine below my desk.
And when you're coworker's complained tell them to take it up with the MD since he told you to be at your desk at all times :P

bingus666

name & shame! he had no right to do this, boss or no boss, you're still a human being. Go to citizens info for free information

BostonB

I think theres more to this story. But like the others said, sounds like your better off out of it.

bebes

AARRRGH wrote: »

I would like to hear the employer's side to this story. I can't help but feel we haven't heard all the details...

But regardless, employment law in Ireland only really kicks in after 12 months, and when on probation they can get rid of you easy peasy.

With a Ph.D in Chemistry you'll get another job no bother.

I can see where you're coming from, the whole thing sounds so crazy it's hard to believe but honestly that's what happened.

TBH its been a couple of days now and I feel so much better for being out of there. I just feel sorry for the other guys from my team....seems the atmosphere's gotten even worse over the last few days. Their desperate to get out.

Anyway yea I've checked out the employment laws and your absolutely right, can't do a thing about it.

Ah well upwards and onwards!

bebes

jimoc wrote: »

My response to that would be a slowly spreading pool of urine below my desk.
And when you're coworker's complained tell them to take it up with the MD since he told you to be at your desk at all times :P

Ha ha love it!

bebes

bingus666 wrote: »

name & shame! he had no right to do this, boss or no boss, you're still a human being. Go to citizens info for free information

Wish I could name and shame bingus....but he's the sort that would have you up in court.

Eoin

jimoc wrote: »

My response to that would be a slowly spreading pool of urine below my desk.
And when you're coworker's complained tell them to take it up with the MD since he told you to be at your desk at all times :P

Except that you're sitting in a puddle of your own piss. Not really a win/win situation there!

nicegirl

Bebes, Im sorry to hear about what happened to you. You wouldn't have full employement rights/entitlements unless you are over a year in your job, and anything under a year in your job, and employer can fire you for any reason they like. Its unfair, but true. As a result, you are not protected under unfair dismissal as a result.
If you speak to someone in the Citizens Advice, they would tell you the same thing, and there is nothing any solicitor can do for you. If I were you, I would definately make a complaint to the manager over your boss. That behaviour, and firing someone on the spot for something like that is absolutely ridiculous, and unfair. You can go to town about the issue that way, so I hope you do!

gingerGiant

Would this company happen to be located in east meath near the M1 by any chance, heard a few stories about a company in this area. Their work was very chemistry related and had a bit of a looper for a boss. They also had a mass walkout of employees a few months ago and one of them was threatened with legal action for leaving.

InReality

Most likely your man was simply a muppet.
You're better off out of there.

amiable

superrdave wrote: »

in short, probably not, as i think you need to be in the job a year before you are entitled to protection under the unfair dismissals act.

anyway, talk to a solicitor and see what they say and don't just take my word for it.

also, chances are this thread will be locked pretty soon, if not deleted.

Genuine question but why would it be deleted?

j4vier

hi bebes

sorry to hear about the bad news, i was talking to you previously on a thread that i ve started about feedbacks from phd chemists..

i guess it was time to move on anyway

Eoin

amiable wrote: »

Genuine question but why would it be deleted?

Only if something libellous was posted I'd imagine.

Raiser

As a general question - Why can't the OP accompany her statements of fact with the name of the Individuals and Company involved, if its true then there should be absolutely no reason why She cannot provide the details in full

- This 12 months rule is so unfair - I'd love to see ignorance of this kind punished with them getting a deserved reputation for their bad behaviour.

Also - is there any chance that you posted the below post in work (hope its ok to quote it here!), either before, during or after your working day, or on your work PC I suppose? Might explain why the MD was seems to have been keen to get rid of you.

bebes wrote: »

Hi Guys,

Just wondering if anyone can give me any advice. I have a PhD in organic synthesis, I graduated in 2008 and I was teaching for a while after. Right now I'm in reg affairs (only 2 months) but its in biocides/pesticides and I really want to get into pharmaceuticals.

It doesn't have to be reg affairs, anything will do but I'm entry level and so can't seem to get an interview for any of the jobs I've applied to. I'm really keen to get out of the place I'm in.....(bad pay, no job security, bad working conditions, bad company in general!)... so I'd really appreciate any advise anyone can give me.

Thanks!

Eoin

I don't mod this forum, I'm just saying why a thread might be deleted as a general rule. In fact, no mod of this forum has actually said anything will be deleted!

Raiser

I'll edit my above post and take out your quote - I didn't actually mean it the way it appears & it was accidentally unclear and misleading on my part not yours!

That's absolutely disgraceful OP, my heart goes out to you.
unfortunately you don't have any rights as you need to be there 12 months i think
One consolation it is better to be fired after 2 months then say a few years as a 2 month gap doesn't even need mentioning on CV.
still what a shambolic way to treat you. i think you'll be ok in future with a phD and can give them clowns the 2 fingers.

better off out of there, chin up. your bosses are SCUM!!

AntiRip

This doesn't shock me in the least. What some people don't realize but there is hellish factories out there that treat people like garbage. I have told stories to people about where I work and they simply will not believe me, from things like not been allowed to talk, smile to an employee been physically assaulted by a manager. My God, I would love a name and shame but it wouldn't change things. All the best OP, you're better than that and better off. Blessing in disguise I think

AntiRip

AntiRip wrote: »

This doesn't shock me in the least. What some people don't realize but there is hellish factories out there that treat people like garbage. I have told stories to people about where I work and they simply will not believe me, from things like not been allowed to talk, smile to an employee been physically assaulted by a manager. My God, I would love a name and shame but it wouldn't change things. All the best OP, you're better than that and better off. Blessing in disguise I think

+1 to that. I know some of these factories that your on about. Some around where i live full of bully boy supervisors who are good for f*ck all else and have massive ego's. we all have a judgement day though and then we'll see who's god

AntiRip

Deleted User wrote: »

+1 to that. I know some of these factories that your on about. Some around where i live full of bully boy supervisors who are good for f*ck all else and have massive ego's. we all have a judgement day though and then we'll see who's god

Amen to that. Doesn't matter what you do or think how important you are, we're all heading to the same place. That's what I keep telling myself anyways

eth0_

Raiser wrote: »

As a general question - Why can't the OP accompany her statements of fact with the name of the Individuals and Company involved, if its true then there should be absolutely no reason why She cannot provide the details in full

Because we don't know that the OP is stating facts - i'm not saying he isn't, but he has no witness or other proof of what has gone on.

Besides, the boss didn't even do anything illegal. He might be a pr1ck but he hasn't acted outside the laws of employment - your employer can get rid of you for virtually any reason during your first 12 months of service.

Boards has been taken to court before over libelous statements and it's pretty costly to defend yourself, even if what has been said is true.

Please do not name the company.

Sephiroth_dude

By the sounds of it you can an easy escape :eek: