14 yrs working, never missed a day - suddenly complaints

spurious

Hello, my friend was recruited from another EU country (in 2001) and brought over for 6 hours a day cleaning for a large company who contract out cleaners and support staff. She has since become an Irish citizen.

About three years ago, the company cut her hours to 4 hours a day. She has never missed a day out sick and while it's not her dream job, she is quite fastidious about how she does it.

Within the last month, 'people' from the company Head Office have come to visit and are telling her that there have been complaints about her work. She is quite upset at this as they will not tell her who made these complaints or what they are about.

Today she was told by her local manager that one reason Head Office are giving is that she 'does not smile enough'. She has had nothing in writing and feels they just want her gone. She is afraid they are building up to firing her. She asked her immediate boss (who has no issue with her work, the 'complaints' are being mentioned by outside 'Head Office' people) would she be entitled to anything if they let her go after fourteen years and she was told no.

I have advised her to find the union rep. who handles the other contract people in her workplace but because she is the only one employed by her company (the others are from another maintenance company) she feels very isolated and vulnerable.

I think she would actually be better off on social welfare as that would open up training courses etc. to her, but is it possible that people can be treated like that in this day and age?

ABajaninCork

It's possible, but there's no reason why your friend should put up with it. What you've outlined could be construed as constructive dismissal.

Can you contact the union rep for her? She doesn't have to be working for the other firm to be a member.

I'd also get in touch with NERA as well to see what they have to say. Tell your friend to start keeping a diary. Write down what's already happened with dates/names if she can remember, and to keep the diary from now on.

Tell her also, to start looking for another job.

skooterblue2

ABajaninCork wrote: »

Tell her also, to start looking for another job.

I agree with all the above as good advice but the last part was very harsh but true at the same time. I cannot see this ending well.

percy212

Constructive dismissal as mentioned above. Your friend should see a solicitor for a free consultation (or try the union). She should NOT leave her job until she has legal advice. Things will probably turn out to her liking. Good luck.

spurious

Yes I have told her no matter what, don't leave.
Thank you all for your help.

ABajaninCork

ABajaninCork wrote: »

Tell her also, to start looking for another job.

skooterblue2 wrote: »

I agree with all the above as good advice but the last part was very harsh but true at the same time. I cannot see this ending well.

Not harsh at all. I'm being pragmatic. The OP's friend needs to feel comfortable and confident when she's at work. For whatever reason, her face no longer fits. I wouldn't walk out before getting another job either. But I'd still nuke her employer. Let these people know they can't get away with treating people like **** because her face doesn't fit.

You're right, though - this is not going to end well, whatever happens

spurious

She has found another person (also not from Ireland) who previously worked for the same company and successfully took proceedings against them for constructive dismissal, so even though it's not that far along for her yet, she feels much less helpless.

There is another avenue of employment she has always wanted to train for and I think she will do that, once this comes to a head, as I think it may.

Thanks again.

gandalf

Tell your friend to talk to an employment solicitor. It sounds like her employers have made a decision and are now trying to engineer it with her. She should also keep a log of all that they say to her from now onwards dated and timed.