Lulu_Laroo
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Mar 7, 2010
- Messages
- 1,703
- Reaction score
- 0
Firstly, I apologise for the long post.
I started my current job in January this year. When I started it was clear that there were a few issues with some staff members (a lot of personality clashes, put it that way) as well as issues with the manager. After a few months of working there, I was told my manager was "moving on" and that we would be getting somebody new. It was coming to the end of my 6 month probation period and I was told I would have my review and that the new manager would be doing it. The new manager extended my probation period by 2 months, saying it was purely because she was new and hadn't seen my work performance etc. However, I wasn't given anything in writing.
When I found out I was pregnant, I told my support manager quite soon (when I was about 7 weeks) because my morning sickness was horrendous. Due to the sickness I had about three days off sick. I'm only a part-timer and work 2 days per week, so this was quite a lot of sickness in a short space of time, but at one point I was almost hospitalised because I couldn't keep anything down. I should also mention at this point that I had worked way beyond my extended probation period and nothing had been mentioned so I assumed my position was permanent.
Now, I don't want to give too much away as this is a public forum, but my role involves me being on my feet all day and rushing around like a blue-arsed fly. I very rarely get a lunch break, let alone a tea break. I have asked on numerous occasions for help, and been told I would have a second person to work alongside (I am basically doing the job of two people currently), and have had help once or twice but that's it.
My support manager took me aside a couple of weeks ago and mentioned a couple of errors I had made and that "I'm telling you because you have your review next week so it needs to be sorted out" in rather a malicious tone, basically threatening me. I almost burst into tears in front of her but held it together and said I had been asking for help constantly and had not received it. She said, these exact words: "Well if you don't like it here you can go."
Obviously I was horrified at how unprofessional and unsympathetic she was, but tried to swallow it and carry on. I was also very surprised at hearing I had a review due, as, like I said, my probation period ended in July!
The day came and went, and still no review. They seem to be a highly unorganised couple of managers.
Right, now I am into the second trimester, the sickness has gone so I have been working hard. However I have had some severe round ligament pain recently that has caused me to double over in pain, as well as some spotting. I've been checked/had scan and all is ok, but this morning I called in sick because of it. Knowing I'll get no breaks at work and not wanting to risk anything. My manager said "well, I'm gonna need a doctors note because this (absenteeism) is becoming frequent." - very cold, no wishing me well or anything like that. I hung up and just sobbed. I feel so miserable at this place and feel like they keep threatening to sack me without directly saying it. I've received no support in my role, despite it being requested and agreed to numerous times, and there are many other issues that I won't go into on here.
Now that's out of the way (and thanks if you've read through it all!) my questions is; if they do sack me, do I have any rights at all? My probation technically ended in July, but I've had nothing on paper offering me a permanent contact. If they sack me, it will be because of the pregnancy/sickness, but I know they'll make up something else so as not to seem heartless or get themselves into trouble. I'm at the end of my tether with it all but can't afford to be jobless. I wish I could take maternity leave now!
I started my current job in January this year. When I started it was clear that there were a few issues with some staff members (a lot of personality clashes, put it that way) as well as issues with the manager. After a few months of working there, I was told my manager was "moving on" and that we would be getting somebody new. It was coming to the end of my 6 month probation period and I was told I would have my review and that the new manager would be doing it. The new manager extended my probation period by 2 months, saying it was purely because she was new and hadn't seen my work performance etc. However, I wasn't given anything in writing.
When I found out I was pregnant, I told my support manager quite soon (when I was about 7 weeks) because my morning sickness was horrendous. Due to the sickness I had about three days off sick. I'm only a part-timer and work 2 days per week, so this was quite a lot of sickness in a short space of time, but at one point I was almost hospitalised because I couldn't keep anything down. I should also mention at this point that I had worked way beyond my extended probation period and nothing had been mentioned so I assumed my position was permanent.
Now, I don't want to give too much away as this is a public forum, but my role involves me being on my feet all day and rushing around like a blue-arsed fly. I very rarely get a lunch break, let alone a tea break. I have asked on numerous occasions for help, and been told I would have a second person to work alongside (I am basically doing the job of two people currently), and have had help once or twice but that's it.
My support manager took me aside a couple of weeks ago and mentioned a couple of errors I had made and that "I'm telling you because you have your review next week so it needs to be sorted out" in rather a malicious tone, basically threatening me. I almost burst into tears in front of her but held it together and said I had been asking for help constantly and had not received it. She said, these exact words: "Well if you don't like it here you can go."
Obviously I was horrified at how unprofessional and unsympathetic she was, but tried to swallow it and carry on. I was also very surprised at hearing I had a review due, as, like I said, my probation period ended in July!
The day came and went, and still no review. They seem to be a highly unorganised couple of managers.
Right, now I am into the second trimester, the sickness has gone so I have been working hard. However I have had some severe round ligament pain recently that has caused me to double over in pain, as well as some spotting. I've been checked/had scan and all is ok, but this morning I called in sick because of it. Knowing I'll get no breaks at work and not wanting to risk anything. My manager said "well, I'm gonna need a doctors note because this (absenteeism) is becoming frequent." - very cold, no wishing me well or anything like that. I hung up and just sobbed. I feel so miserable at this place and feel like they keep threatening to sack me without directly saying it. I've received no support in my role, despite it being requested and agreed to numerous times, and there are many other issues that I won't go into on here.
Now that's out of the way (and thanks if you've read through it all!) my questions is; if they do sack me, do I have any rights at all? My probation technically ended in July, but I've had nothing on paper offering me a permanent contact. If they sack me, it will be because of the pregnancy/sickness, but I know they'll make up something else so as not to seem heartless or get themselves into trouble. I'm at the end of my tether with it all but can't afford to be jobless. I wish I could take maternity leave now!
