So I've been informed that i may be fired.

[saoirse13]

Basically on Friday past i was taken aside and told that I may be fired by this Friday.

I should start by saying as of today i have been in my current job for 3 weeks. My job role is described as a receptionist, though my duties range from the general reception duties of managing phone calls, messages and thee like to now dealing with accounts, weighbridge operator, estimating, contracts manager and 101 other duties. Now i have worked as a receptionist before in a few different types of companies and industries. Though as this was alot more work with many more duties and responsibilities I was told i would have supervised training for a period of time to help me get used to the job and get to know exactly how to do all these different roles. Now i have been giving basic instruction on varies procedures for invoicing account, weighbridge operation, though nothing in depth. Now i was told that i have not learnt all these duties to their standard in a quick enough timeframe, that i should know everything by now and that if there is no improvement by friday they will be fored to fire me.

Anytime that i have asked questions or asked for further instruction on what can be complicated tasks the person training me has grunted at me, sighed and instead of telling /showing me how to do something has just stood there and replied with various phrases such as "you should know how to do that, you know as much as me, get *** to tell you"
I honestly feel like they are just trying to force me out of this job,
I left a job i loved for this job as i was told i was garenteed a contract for a year, to be renewed again next year, now im seriously regretting the decision to give up the job i loved for a job that makes me miserable daily.

So my question is this.
Has anyone else went through a similar situation? How did you manage to get through it without losing your mind, or without acting on the urge to slap someone.
Do you think this is fair or do I deserve it after three weeks in a new job?

 

[Antari]

snip

So my question is this.
Has anyone else went through a similar situation? How did you manage to get through it without losing your mind, or without acting on the urge to slap someone.
Do you think this is fair or do I deserve it after three weeks in a new job?

That unfortunately is a common practice in nearly any business dealing with reception. A friend of mine has gone through around 10 jobs in the last 3 years all nearly identical to this situation. Sometimes its just a case of they had hired someone behind her back who was "family" or more qualified. But most of the time it was because she didn't learn things quickly enough even though the training was substandard to put it nicely. Others waited just before the 3 month mark where the government steps in if there is a dismissal, just so they can avoid it.

As for what to do? Move on to the next job, perhaps look at changing industries if you want to do the same sort of thing. Or try for something else entirely new.

As for not pulling your hair out. My only real suggestion is music.

Spoiler

 

[evilneko]

It's too late. Start your job hunt now because you're not going to salvage that one. Not blaming you but if you think your training's inadequate you should make it known. One of two things will happen: they'll blow you off (in which case begin job hunting) or training will improve.

 

[MASTACHIEFPWN]

Desk pop.
Go out with a bang.

 

[saoirse13]

Desk pop.
Go out with a bang.

This has made my day seem so much better, lol, why thank you for the suggestion,

 

[omega 616]

Sounds a little shitty.

Is getting your old job a possibility? Sounds like you should have just stayed there anyway, leaving a job you love for 2 year security doesn't seem right to me.

(to be honest the last sentence sounds like I am having a go at you but I just couldn't think of another way to lengthen the suggestion)

 

[CpT_x_Killsteal]

Use all your sick days and look for a job. They seem like a bunch of assholes to me. maybe go back and see if they'd take you back at your old job. If that doesn't work, look for something that focuses on being a receptionist and not a "do-everyone-else's-job-while-you're-at-it" thing.

 

[swoop2004]

yes that sounds very familiar. It happened to me in December except I was working as a lab technician (I have a degree in chemistry and biochemistry, but no experience so I was trying to get base level experience) I flat out told them going in that I would need to be trained. The person that was supposed to train me did not, the person that kinda trained me was only there 4 days (out of the 10 I worked before being fired on the 10th day of work).

I found out about a month after I was "fired" that there was an arbiter program (with HR) to try to "retain" employees (to prevent high turn over)

if you want to try to stick it out, you need to go to HR and see if they have a similar program.

Helpful arguments would be if you fire me, the company will spend up to 2 months finding a new employee, and then another 3 months or more to "train" them, then point out how they failed to "train" you. Then ask, wouldn't it be easier, to just spend the next 3 months actually training you like they should have in the first place(and it will likely be less as you are surely doing at least some of it right already), and they will still come out 2 months ahead regarding money?

 

[Eclipse Dragon]

If you loved your old job, go back and see if you can return. If you left on a good note, perhaps they'll take you back.
If not, start looking for a new job now, don't wait. It's horrible what happened to you. My sister recently lost her job because of that.

 

[Bradeck]

As an HR puke who's job it was to routinely fire employees for negligence, misconduct, or incompetence, you present a very one sided and lacking case.

If I were you, and were facing a "Firing" as you call it, then I'd ask myself several things.

1. If they announced the termination to you, and did not provide a reason, then it was speculative. If they did in fact provide a reason, then you must have forgotten to mention it.

2. If you have had documented training or counseling sessions with any superiors, were they outlined deficiencies or problematic behaviors, and you did your best to cure that, then you need to have documented proof (Just witness statements of your attempted or improved actions) and you should look into getting any copies of documentation the employer plans to use against you.

3. If you do not infact work in; a right to work state, a private company, or a non-unionized workforce (menial labor task) then you are most likely without prayer in this case, as there is extremely little you can actually do to prevent any form of termination by your employer. It's entirely at the discretion of your employer.

4. If this is a termination, then your position could be getting terminated, not you. In any event, the employee cannot subsist without the job, and you're out of luck.

If you want any advice, PM me and let me know your company, job title, work history, and provide references of any documentation you have on your work.

 

[Bertylicious]

To be quite honest, while the situation is generally regretable I would say it is much better that they've taken action relatively early rather than letting the situation drag out and then springing this on you at the 3 month point. These things happen and, given how much you say you hate the job, this is probably for the best.

I'd advise just getting another job and not getting all bitter about it. Also the other job can't have been that good otherwise you wouldn't have left it for a temporary receptionist post.

 

[rbstewart7263]

I once worked for a company that took the valuable parts off of old airplanes and refurbished them for scrap. I was there a month and a half. The whole time I spent worrying about losing my job. I always worked alone instead of groups because people preferred the company of others(I stood out you see) I remember I spent three days trying to get one fuel panel off because noone wanted to show me how and then was blamed for taking to long. I was eventually fired for a bs reason. I now work dishland at a local restaurant and while I make less, Im secure that they wont fire me anytime soon and I now know that that is way more important than a higher wage.

as to how I got through it? it was stressful but I just kept going.

 

[flarty]

Basically on Friday past i was taken aside and told that I may be fired by this Friday.

I should start by saying as of today i have been in my current job for 3 weeks. My job role is described as a receptionist, though my duties range from the general reception duties of managing phone calls, messages and thee like to now dealing with accounts, weighbridge operator, estimating, contracts manager and 101 other duties. Now i have worked as a receptionist before in a few different types of companies and industries. Though as this was alot more work with many more duties and responsibilities I was told i would have supervised training for a period of time to help me get used to the job and get to know exactly how to do all these different roles. Now i have been giving basic instruction on varies procedures for invoicing account, weighbridge operation, though nothing in depth. Now i was told that i have not learnt all these duties to their standard in a quick enough timeframe, that i should know everything by now and that if there is no improvement by friday they will be fored to fire me.

Anytime that i have asked questions or asked for further instruction on what can be complicated tasks the person training me has grunted at me, sighed and instead of telling /showing me how to do something has just stood there and replied with various phrases such as "you should know how to do that, you know as much as me, get *** to tell you"
I honestly feel like they are just trying to force me out of this job,
I left a job i loved for this job as i was told i was garenteed a contract for a year, to be renewed again next year, now im seriously regretting the decision to give up the job i loved for a job that makes me miserable daily.

So my question is this.
Has anyone else went through a similar situation? How did you manage to get through it without losing your mind, or without acting on the urge to slap someone.
Do you think this is fair or do I deserve it after three weeks in a new job?

A few years ago when jobs were not so scarce my advice would be to tell them to stick there job. But my advice would be give citizens advice a call, look at your contract, find out your rights and be a complete dick to them till you find another job.