Being shoved out of the job!

LegacyUser

Hi there,

Regular poster going anon.

I've been in my current job for 2 years. I started off in a junior role, and gradually took on more responsibility, which was fine and manageable but not without its stressors.

In June of this year, my supervisor moved to a different role and as a result of all of the changes and a new supervisor coming in, I was given further responsibility.

I was given no training on my new roles and subsequently made mistakes that I shouldn't have and cost the company a substantial amount of money. I had a nervous breakdown as a result of the stress of the job (which my manager doesnt know about) and became very withdrawn.

I had my first appraisal (they're sporadic in here) in August where my manager tore strips off me and told me I was a drama queen with little or no time management skills and needed to improve dramatically. I was, naturally, very upset by this information, however went about my business and made improvements where I could.

I have a second review coming up and in checking my supervisor's emails (as they are out of the office on leave and company policy is to monitor them), I saw an email that referred to me and my manager looking for an update. My supervisor described me as incompetent, lazy and with little or no progression in the role and recommended that my contract be terminated.

I am devastated by this as I know for a fact that my manager takes my supervisor's word as gospel, so no doubt sooner or later, I will be out of a job.

I am preparing a statement to read at my review which states that while I am aware that I am at fault, I was not given adequate training and I feel that's where many of my mistakes lie. Should I be preparing my notice as well? I feel very victimised and hurt right now as I do not think I am incompetent in the slightest.

tony81

It sounds like you bit off more than you could chew and despite a lack of training you've made mistakes, eg you could have pushed back some tasks rather than doing them and making a hames of it. It's probably time to take what you've learned, learn from your mistakes and start looking for a new job at intermediate level.

Procrastastudy

Solicitor. Now. Don't be stupid - get one involved yesterday.

donedonedone wrote: »

I am preparing a statement to read at my review which states that while I am aware that I am at fault, I was not given adequate training and I feel that's where many of my mistakes lie. Should I be preparing my notice as well? I feel very victimised and hurt right now as I do not think I am incompetent in the slightest.

Do NOT do that. While it is probably time to say goodbye make sure that it's with a good reference and a few bob. A half decent solicitor will have a field day with this unless you say something silly.

OP - I feel for you I really do - I was in a similar, although slightly less serious, situation than you. Being nice got me no where.

mikemac1

donedonedone wrote: »

I have a second review coming up and in checking my supervisor's emails (as they are out of the office on leave and company policy is to monitor them), I saw an email that referred to me and my manager looking for an update. My supervisor described me as incompetent, lazy and with little or no progression in the role and recommended that my contract be terminated.

Print off that email

I'm not sure what to do with it but have a copy for yourself

drunkmonkey

Procrastastudy wrote: »

Solicitor. Now. Don't be stupid - get one involved yesterday.

For what? Turns up late and cost the business money which is all probably documented in case of some legal move by the employee. Move on, new Job, legal case might not go to well.

Procrastastudy

drunkmonkey wrote: »

For what? Turns up late and cost the business money which is all probably documented in case of some legal move by the employee. Move on, new Job, legal case might not go to well.

There are a number of complicated issues here with the OP at fault to a certain extent in some and not in others. There is not a chance a pub-lawyer on the internet is going to be able to properly advise on this one.

Stress leading to a nervous break down is beginning to be treated, as it should be, like any other work place injury. However it's not there yet and some legal advice is needed.

turbobaby

Procrastastudy wrote: »

Solicitor. Now. Don't be stupid - get one involved yesterday.

Getting a solicitor involved is ridiculous. If he lost the company a substantial amount of money of course they are entitled to say he is incompetent.

OP, sounds like the job isn't right for you unless you can turn things around with some hard work and better two way communication and training in your workplace.

"I know I messed up, but I feel I was thrown into the higher role too soon without sufficient guidance, but I am more than willing to work hard if you are willing to work harder on training me"

If you're intent on bringing up the mail, as a gesture of goodwill why not mention you've read it and you're happy to take it on the chin and forget about it. After all, I'm sure you're allowed monitor new emails but not go digging around old ones.

delthedriver

mikemac1 wrote: »

Print off that email

I'm not sure what to do with it but have a copy for yourself

drunkmonkey wrote: »

For what? Turns up late and cost the business money which is all probably documented in case of some legal move by the employee. Move on, new Job, legal case might not go to well.

At least get the views of a solicitor.It is essential if you chose to do so ,that you talk to a solicitor who specialises in employment law.

ted1

If you weren't trained and put in a position where you cost the company a substantial amount of money, then Tbh your supervisor would be partly to blame.
Make a plan to get this acknowledged. Approach your manager with concerns about your supervisor and his lack of supervision.

drunkmonkey

delthedriver wrote: »

At least get the views of a solicitor.It is essential if you chose to do so ,that you talk to a solicitor who specialises in employment law.

For what, I don't see any law been broken, wrong person for the Job, it happens, you don't need a Solicitor to tell you that.
Best advice is stay positive and get a new Job before the review. Going legal is nonsense.

Procrastastudy

turbobaby wrote: »

Getting a solicitor involved is ridiculous. If he lost the company a substantial amount of money of course they are entitled to say he is incompetent.

OP, sounds like the job isn't right for you unless you can turn things around with some hard work and better two way communication and training in your workplace.

"I know I messed up, but I feel I was thrown into the higher role too soon without sufficient guidance, but I am more than willing to work hard if you are willing to work harder on training me"

If you're intent on bringing up the mail, as a gesture of goodwill why not mention you've read it and you're happy to take it on the chin and forget about it. After all, I'm sure you're allowed monitor new emails but not go digging around old ones.

The workplace put more responsibility on to the OP and failed to train and monitor the situation. Are you suggesting that if I fail to put guards on machinery and someone gets their arm mangled they aren't entitled to compensation? In both instances its an example of poor management resulting in injury.

Just because a significant amount of money was lost it doesn't make it the OPs fault. Even if we accept he was incompetent the issue remains was he properly managed and trained?

People who are suggesting not seeing a solicitor are very much entitled to their opinions. I'd rather have the advice and not use it, than not get it and find I needed it.

Stheno

Procrastastudy wrote: »

The workplace put more responsibility on to the OP and failed to train and monitor the situation. Are you suggesting that if I fail to put guards on machinery and someone gets their arm mangled they aren't entitled to compensation? In both instances its an example of poor management resulting in injury.

Just because a significant amount of money was lost it doesn't make it the OPs fault. Even if we accept he was incompetent the issue remains was he properly managed and trained?

I actually agree with this, it's been the approach several companies I've worked in have tended to take in relation to any mental health issues arising from employee stress.

Procrastastudy

Stheno wrote: »

I actually agree with this, it's been the approach several companies I've worked in have tended to take in relation to any mental health issues arising from employee stress.

I don't blame the companies or ill informed managers, per se, it was also the judicial thinking of the time. That has been changing over the last few years, thankfully.

Stheno

Procrastastudy wrote: »

I don't blame the companies or ill informed managers, per se, it was also the judicial thinking of the time. That has been changing over the last few years, thankfully.

It's over the last few years I've seen the change, companies factoring in the mental health issues employees in extreme stress may face, and taking actions to reduce their culpability should it get worse.

sheindlin

Be very careful op things can get very nasty very quickly. I worked for a company for 2 years, a person there started getting very agressive with me for no reason, my boss suggested that I "go off with him for a night and let him get it out of his system" I handed in my notice immediately, I was basically told that if I left, he would make sure that I never worked again (this did not change my mind and I left). This person is known for making life very difficult for anyone who tries to leave the company.

Try to get as much as you can in writing. The best of luck.

delthedriver

Procrastastudy wrote: »

The workplace put more responsibility on to the OP and failed to train and monitor the situation. Are you suggesting that if I fail to put guards on machinery and someone gets their arm mangled they aren't entitled to compensation? In both instances its an example of poor management resulting in injury.

Just because a significant amount of money was lost it doesn't make it the OPs fault. Even if we accept he was incompetent the issue remains was he properly managed and trained?

People who are suggesting not seeing a solicitor are very much entitled to their opinions. I'd rather have the advice and not use it, than not get it and find I needed it.

Talk to an employment law specialist,at least get their advice. They will act in your best interest. This is a very serious matter, which needs to be dealt with professionally. Time is of the essence , I would prefer not to go into detail in this forum. Op if you are having difficulty locating a law firm specialising in employment law please pm me if you wish.

Stheno

sheindlin wrote: »

Be very careful op things can get very nasty very quickly. I worked for a company for 2 years, a person there started getting very agressive with me for no reason, my boss suggested that I "go off with him for a night and let him get it out of his system" I handed in my notice immediately, I was basically told that if I left, he would make sure that I never worked again (this did not change my mind and I left). This person is known for making life very difficult for anyone who tries to leave the company.

Try to get as much as you can in writing. The best of luck.

I successfully used freedom of information and data protection legislation to get a company to stop pursuing me in this manner that the OP has described.

Putting in a request to see their file under FOI/DP means the company have to furnish all relevant documentation and may chose not to as a result of the consequences (this was legal advice I sought)

If they print that email and it is not furnished the company are in serious trouble.

That's another approach they could use?

sheindlin

Stheno wrote: »

I successfully used freedom of information and data protection legislation to get a company to stop pursuing me in this manner that the OP has described.

Putting in a request to see their file under FOI/DP means the company have to furnish all relevant documentation and may chose not to as a result of the consequences (this was legal advice I sought)

If they print that email and it is not furnished the company are in serious trouble.

That's another approach they could use?

Well done, my situation happened a good number of years ago there was nothing in writing, the minute things started to go bad I should have put it in writing,and it may not have changed anything.

I wonder if the OP put his concerns with regard to his lack of training and how it has affected his job, in writing to his supervisor, I wonder would it help his case.

Equality

The first step is to print the e-mail. Do nothing else until this is done. Keep several copies in different locations, as such things tend to get lost easily.

Be aware that many companies monitor printing and photocopying. (I was in work some years ago, late at night and the photocopier started printing out a copy of everything that had been photocopied recently. I got divorce documents, bank details, and a lot of other non-work related stuff, as well as work stuff. The originals were not present, so these items were stored in the memory of the photocopier, and I had managed to print them out, mostly because I was not familiar with the photocopier in question.)

The second thing is that you should put very little in writing, apart from the fact that you feel you were not adequately trained for the work in question.

Third, start looking for work elsewhere.

Best of luck with it, and believe me it can be a blessing in disguise when you realise that the nastiness is such that you are better off to leave, even when there are very few jobs out there.

the_syco

donedonedone wrote: »

In June of this year, my supervisor moved to a different role and as a result of all of the changes and a new supervisor coming in, I was given further responsibility.

<snip>

I am preparing a statement to read at my review which states that while I am aware that I am at fault, I was not given adequate training and I feel that's where many of my mistakes lie. Should I be preparing my notice as well? I feel very victimised and hurt right now as I do not think I am incompetent in the slightest.

It sounds like you were given more stuff to do, without being told how to do it. If you lost the company money, but haven't gotten in trouble over it at the time, I'm thinking whoever gave you the workload without the training shared the blame. Said person may be trying to get rid of you now to bring in someone that has the training?

Oh, and don't give yourself the blame, as it'll just make their case for getting rid of you stronger, imo.

Teyla Emmagan

That's a very difficult situation OP, and I feel for you. It seems very unfair for your new supervisor to describe you as incompetent given you worked your way up from a junior position and you would not have been given additional responsibility if you weren't thought to be capable of it. It can be very difficult when one supervisor who has faith in you moves on, leaving you with someone who clearly doesn't though. Can you get your old supervisor involved, even in some way to speak to your manager? Or to give you some advice?

I don't think you should walk away from this job without a fight either way. Maybe you can agree with them to take back some of your current responsibility until such time as everyone involves feels you're capable of taking on more again. To me this sounds like you're being poorly managed, and that is definitely not your fault. You also don't sound like you're being given any support, so that's also the company's fault. Especially if you have stress issues that you've had to hide because you're (clearly) not not comfortable addressing them with the people you work with. You say your manager does not know about the stress problems, but if your supervisor does, and has not brought them to the manager's attention, then I would consider that quite serious. Good luck.

delthedriver

Due to the sensitive nature of this subject I hope the Op found the contributors suggestions helpful. Perhaps the Op could acknowledge the contributions. Wishing the op well in whatever decision , path you choose

LegacyUser

Hi all,

OP here. Thanks a million for all of your contributions - this is why Boards.ie is so fantastic, it was like having a load of impartial friends giving their honest opinions on the situation!

I had my review and it didn't go as badly as I had anticipated. I did get the comments from my supervisor kindly re-worded by my manager and there were some suggestions that I should move to another department which I am considering.

Bit of a storm in a teacup, but I'm still very wary of all parties involved and will be keeping my head down and options open for the next while for definite.

Thanks again everybody, seriously all of your contributions and advice really really helped me.

Stheno

donedonedone wrote: »

Hi all,

OP here. Thanks a million for all of your contributions - this is why Boards.ie is so fantastic, it was like having a load of impartial friends giving their honest opinions on the situation!

I had my review and it didn't go as badly as I had anticipated. I did get the comments from my supervisor kindly re-worded by my manager and there were some suggestions that I should move to another department which I am considering.

Bit of a storm in a teacup, but I'm still very wary of all parties involved and will be keeping my head down and options open for the next while for definite.

Thanks again everybody, seriously all of your contributions and advice really really helped me.

Good for you, glad you had a better outcome than you expected.

Best of luck

delthedriver

Stheno wrote: »

Good for you, glad you had a better outcome than you expected.

Best of luck

Delighted to hear things went better than you anticipated.
Best Wishes

sheindlin

donedonedone wrote: »

Hi all,

OP here. Thanks a million for all of your contributions - this is why Boards.ie is so fantastic, it was like having a load of impartial friends giving their honest opinions on the situation!

I had my review and it didn't go as badly as I had anticipated. I did get the comments from my supervisor kindly re-worded by my manager and there were some suggestions that I should move to another department which I am considering.

Bit of a storm in a teacup, but I'm still very wary of all parties involved and will be keeping my head down and options open for the next while for definite.

Thanks again everybody, seriously all of your contributions and advice really really helped me.

I'm really glad to hear that things are looking up for you. I wish you all the best and thank you for letting us know.

Equality

You are right to be wary. That sounds like a public service office, and if so you definitely need to be wary.

If it is possible for you to do so, you may want to consider looking for a transfer to a different building/town.