Yet again, more job advice!

[Mrs Dobby]

Hi folks,

As some of you know Ive been going thru the mill at work this past 12 months, hence the fact Ive not been as active on here (or the plot) as I want to be. After being given a written warning 2 months ago for failing to complete all aspects of the companys compliance audits (as it is impossible to do so and serve customers with our current staff levels) things have been ok, until 2 weeks ago, when we had a till snatch occur.

It was my weekend off, and the team hadnt been using the counter cache (as we normally dont have enough money to bother with them), but this then led to an investigation and Ive been invited to anothr disciplinary meeting on Wednesday next week, because the counter caches werent being used and it now appears that my ex Deputy Manager didnt complete the induction with 2 of the 8 new staff that we've just started, so I am culpable in the companies eyes.

Ive been unhappy with the way the company is being run for the past few years, and have become very unhappy in my role for the past 19 months, frankly Ive had enough of them and want out.

Ive been applying for a few things, been interviewed twice and offered one position thats on hold (as that company are now doing a restructure and the position may no longer be available), but I havent been going all out for a new job, until the letter inviting me to the disciplinary dropped on my mat yesterday morning (Im on hols until Monday).

I sent off a fair few applications yesterday, one of which rang me back this morning and looks very hopeful (its working in an artist / craft suppliers, a step down from what Im currently doing, but is an area I have an interest and passion about and they are expanding fairly rapidly), its less money bit closer to home and should be less stressful.

Its likely that I will be dismissed on Wednesday, my question is should I wait to be dismissed, or should I tender my resignation, keeping my good name but leaving me without a job until I get something?

What would you do?

Any advice or ideas are very welcome!

[chris]

How certain are you that you'll be dismissed? Do you have the provision to be unemployed for a while? How certain are you that the job on hold is definately yours - I'd be asking myself these before I uprooted myself from an income. The first thing I did when I started here was to build up an emergency fund - that's how much I "enjoy" it here

[northepaul]

Mrs Dobby, what a horrible position to be in!!
Are you in a union? If so, it might be worth speaking to the union rep and getting them to come to the meeting on Wednesday. Although often meligned, unions are invaluable in these sort of situations.

Aside from this, as Chris says above, how likely is it you'll get sacked? Can you manage without your wage until you find another job?
When will the craft shop let you know if they want you?

Hope thats a bit helpful xx

[Mrs Dobby]

Hi Chris, we've got enough to survive for a while without my having an income, but only for a couple of months, I would be willing to do any type of job to tide us over until something suitable came up, and I have some ideas for a few projects that could also generate some income, so not desperate, and could extend the time by cutting back sharply.

I am 99% certain that I will be dismissed, the new AM has some up and coming folks he wants to put into stores, and they will be cheaper than me, plus we dnt get on, hes already sacked 2 managers and disciplined 5 others form the 19 in the patch, I dont feel safe, I dont feel happy and I dont want to be there.

Would it look better on a CV to walk tho, or to be dismissed?

[Mrs Dobby]

Hi Northepaul,

The craft shop was an initial contact today, they havent said that they want to interview me yet, but I seem to be exactly what they want (perhaps too overqualified) and its something I have a definite interest and skill in, so is something I could get behind 100%. Its likely they will call me for an interview next week, and they are looking at a pretty immediate start, but its nothing certain.

The other job that I am oon hold for is definitely mine - if they dont fill it with an existing member of staff following their consultations, so its hopeful, but not certain.

[cardiffsteve]

In "Normal" companies the procedure is a verbal warning and then 2 written warnings within a certain time period, normally 6-12months, before dimissal. check your contract!

I'm not encouraging this but you could always go sick, with stress and depression, which means you will get ssp or sick pay.
Then gives you more time to find a job and you wont have to walk.

Best of luck. Hope craft shop job comes through for you.

[Mrs Dobby]

Nor in my company, they went straight to final written last time, and as they can construe this as linked they can dismiss if they want to. I know I could go off sick, but tbh Im mentally much better than Ive been for the past 2 years now, and I dint fancy having to explain the sick note for stress to a new employer, it could put them off!

[veggiechicken]

I'm no expert so this is just what I might do.
I would write to my employers, before the disciplinary meeting, setting out my case/defence, as it were. Its easier to write down what you want to say than be put on the spot when you're feeling vulnerable. It is very easy to say the wrong thing in those circumstances.
Try to pre-empt their decision - although you do not know for sure that you will be dismissed. You may not like it there, but it is a job and an income. Take Chris's advice and build up an emergency fund. Then you can pick your time to go - perhaps when you have a definite offer of another job.

[cardiffsteve]

You dont have to disclose to new employer why you were off sick. just say "Health issues which are now resolved"

[FionaH]

I think the sensible side of me would say wait and see what occurs at your meeting. The emotional side would say bugger it and walk. Depends on which will cause you more stress

[arpoet]

Take someone with you to the disciplinary meeting and do your homework before you go... Talk to your staff who were onduty at the time and get thier side of the incedent. Is the deputy manager that failed to give correct induction still with the company and if so insist that he/she becomes involved.
Has you area manager given you the correct legal notice of the disciplinary meeting, i think it should be 7 days. And does the letter state your rights?
Have a list of questions to ask and know your rights... maybe there are some online employment sites that could advise you. Local advice centre too may help.
Good luck
Roger

[Nicos]

Sorry to hear this- they must be bonkers to let you go.

Remember- if you are 'released' then you get dole if you resign you have to wait quite a few weeks before being entitled to £

TBH- I'd got with being dismissed - I know it doesn't look good on paper, but these days I think future employers should be aware of why peeps prefer to be sacked. Sad world isn't it??

Good luck gal xx

[OverWyreGrower]

From my (limited) HR perspective....

If I was looking at a CV - you wouldn't have to write on your CV that you had been dismissed, however it would look odd if you weren't in a role (i.e. didn't have a notice period) at the time and couldn't potentially get a reference from them. We would often ask why that person wasn't working/what the gap in working history was for.
If you resign, you could say to a prospective employer that there were some restructures coming up and you left due to that. However, you still might not get a reference....

I would be vaguely tempted to walk (even with my HR experience). Capability stuff, as you are already aware, is draining and leaves you feeling awful - especially when you know what the people are like, or what the outsome will be...

[pigletwillie]

I would go in and request an HR manager be present and tell them why suff wasnt done and then hit him for victimisation and unreasonable demands considering the manpower you have and even bring in that he wants you out as he has a vested interested in one of his minions being promoted and that you will file for unfair dismissal. That tends to make most HR depts think twice, especially if you actually have cause for this which it looks like you have. If that fails, and you are dismissed, Hr will generally let people resign instead of dismissing you. Alternatively go on long term sick leave and jack when you find something.

[Piggle]

World's gone mad - it seems that companies care more about cost than people ... I work for a big corporate and they are just as bad, they alays pick on people who won't fight back.

I agree with PigletWillie - go down fighting , threaten them with a tribunal , I have seen a fair few people do that and end up with a nice payoff.

Good luck with whatever you decide.