about to get the axe :(

[setell]

Hi All,

I don’t know where to post but come here as you guys are so supportive. Things have been fairly rough the past couple of days. I was told by my employer that my performance isn’t up to par and if I don’t improve by the end of the month I get the axe. Probably fire me vs lay me off so I can’t collect employment insurance (EI in Canada). What’s funny is I’ve been here since last summer and I got a satisfactory performance review November 2008. Didn’t get a review from Jan to June 2009. Current VP I report to (got no manager as she quit earlier this year and I only partially report to my acting manager) hates me cause I’m slow. To her a slow worker is a bad employee but ahh there have been circumstances where I can’t help it but being slow as they were things out of my control. Overall, my employer is slapping the “you’ve been a poor performer since you started here last summer and if you don’t improve by month end you’re outta here”. What I find funny is there is no way I can improve my efficiency by month end cause of what I do. It’s just an impossible task, so essentially they are setting me up for failure. An excuse so I can’t sue them for wrongful dismissal. If you guys had read some of my other threads you’ll know I hate it here with a passion as I’m disrespected, my ego has been tarnish and my self worth had taken a huge dive. I am so tempted to just put my notice in and get out of here as I’m sorta relieved. I was upset how I’m being told I am a bad worker as it’s their words against mine now but overall, I couldn’t see myself here that much longer anyway. What do you guys think I should do. Quit and look better to future employers when I look for another job or wait till they fire me?

 

[zoebartlett]

First, I'm really sorry this is happening. I would definitely leave on my terms rather than wait to be fired. Can you talk to anyone in HR about this situation and see if you can get someone on your side or at least someone who is a neutral party who can help you?

ETA: One thing that I would definitely do is put something in writing that lists your strengths and what you have done for the company. I'd keep a copy for yourself and give one to HR (and one to your boss).

 

[exoticisabella]

If you can afford to, I would quit. I was in a similar situation just over a year ago. The company that I worked for loved me (though I hated them) and didn't want to see me leave the office that I was at. So, since they couldn't give me a raise the GM stopped the other managers at different offices from hiring me for a promotion and had my current manager give me a HORRIBLE review. At the end of the reveiw she says, "well, I guess this means you can't be looking at any promotions soon." I got my new job when somebody dialed our office phone number by accident and we got chatting on the phone. Now, after just over a year with the new company I have my first promotion that I begin next week. Life is too short to be unhappy, especially when you spend 40+ hours with these people. And, if you quit you could just tell future employers that you quit due to high stress/low staff (that kind of thing).

*Hugs and GOOD LUCK

*

 

[lulu]

If you quit do you have the resources to support yourself ? I always think it''s better to look for a job while you still have a job.

 

[elrohwen]

Setell, I was in a strangely similar position a few months ago and I really feel for you

I dealt with the bullying for much longer though and I feel like my self-esteem has taken a huge nose dive in the past year. I'm quite bitter against my boss who felt it was more important to bring me down and engage in pettiness than to make me a better employee. Especially because, with my first boss, I was seconds away from being promoted; under the new boss, I was a horrible employee

It's not easy, I know. I would absolutely quit before being fired. Luckily for me, my company allowed me the option to quit (and gave me a package) and at least they were nice about that. I would not wait to let them fire you - you can always explain away quitting more easily than being fired.

I'm nowt in the rebuilding stage and it's hard to not go back to that mental place I was in and get down on myself. Like an abusive relationship (because that's essentially what it was) it will take some time to get over. ((hugs))

ETA: Yes, it is easier to get a job when you have a job. However, it sounds like you clearly won't have a job in a month, so I still think you're better off quitting now than letting them fire you.

 

[Erin]

Is there a chance that they''ll let you go with a compensation package?

 

[movie zombie]

please realize that HR is not there "to be on your side". they are paid by the employer. it is their job to protect the employer.

i''d leave on my own terms. make them an offer: you leave and they give you a good/neutral recommendation to take with you.

mz

 

[zoebartlett]

Date: 12/3/2009 12:48:41 PM
Author: movie zombie
please realize that HR is not there ''to be on your side''. they are paid by the employer. it is their job to protect the employer.


i''d leave on my own terms. make them an offer: you leave and they give you a good/neutral recommendation to take with you.


mz

When I wrote that, MZ, I meant that hopefully HR can be a neutral party and someone who you can go to if you''re having a problem. There has to be someone who should be able to help a company''s employee. Whether it''s HR or another department...

Setell, I''ve been in a similar position. I hated my job and after just a few months in, I left and gave 2 weeks notice. I knew that my employer wasn''t happy (we didn''t see eye to eye on most things), and I also knew that my contract was not going to be renewed. That was OK with me because I hated it and I felt that I was working in an unhealthy environment anyway. I was miserable every day and night, and basically, I was a basket case. At first I thought I was going to tough it out and stay through the year. When it got to the point of crying all the time and withdrawing from a lot of things I normally love, I knew I had to leave. It was a very tough thing to do, but my mental health was/is way more important.

I didn''t bother asking my employer at the time for a recommendation, even if it was a neutral one. I wouldn''t have gotten one, and I had plenty of great ones from previous bosses to hand out to future potential employers. Honestly, if you think you may be let go for performance reasons, I don''t think you''d get a favorable recommendation from your boss. Can you ask someone else (or a few people) at work for letters?

Sorry to go on and on, but I wanted you to know that I''ve dealt with this too. I don''t know what line of work you''re in, but hopefully there''s someone at work who you can trust and who can help.

 

[elrohwen]

Zoe, you''re totally right about not needing to ask your boss for a recommendation. My boss hated me (the feeling was mutual I suppose) but there are plenty of high level people at my old company who thought I did a fantastic job and were thrilled to provide recommendations. HR is only allowed to tell future employers how long I worked there, so they didn''t really matter - they said they have to be neutral and not offer much info.

 

[setell]

Thanks for all the support guys. I somehow feel liberated today as if something heavy is lifted off my shoulders. I''m going to work hard this next two weeks as I don''t like being branded a lazy person. BUT I know there isn''t much to do to change my fate at this company.

As to the whole HR thing...I was told by HR and my current VP I''m not performing and it was HR that whipped out these accusations. Anyway, I looked up the labour laws in my province and they can''t easily fire me but they could I guess as I''m 1.5 years into a 2 year contract. No way in h3ll i want to renew it and work in this a hole place (sorry for the language but this place sucks!).

 

[movie zombie]

Date: 12/3/2009 1:14:53 PM
Author: ZoeBartlett

Date: 12/3/2009 12:48:41 PM
Author: movie zombie
please realize that HR is not there ''to be on your side''. they are paid by the employer. it is their job to protect the employer.


i''d leave on my own terms. make them an offer: you leave and they give you a good/neutral recommendation to take with you.


mz

When I wrote that, MZ, I meant that hopefully HR can be a neutral party and someone who you can go to if you''re having a problem. There has to be someone who should be able to help a company''s employee. Whether it''s HR or another department...

Setell, I''ve been in a similar position. I hated my job and after just a few months in, I left and gave 2 weeks notice. I knew that my employer wasn''t happy (we didn''t see eye to eye on most things), and I also knew that my contract was not going to be renewed. That was OK with me because I hated it and I felt that I was working in an unhealthy environment anyway. I was miserable every day and night, and basically, I was a basket case. At first I thought I was going to tough it out and stay through the year. When it got to the point of crying all the time and withdrawing from a lot of things I normally love, I knew I had to leave. It was a very tough thing to do, but my mental health was/is way more important.

I didn''t bother asking my employer at the time for a recommendation, even if it was a neutral one. I wouldn''t have gotten one, and I had plenty of great ones from previous bosses to hand out to future potential employers. Honestly, if you think you may be let go for performance reasons, I don''t think you''d get a favorable recommendation from your boss. Can you ask someone else (or a few people) at work for letters?

Sorry to go on and on, but I wanted you to know that I''ve dealt with this too. I don''t know what line of work you''re in, but hopefully there''s someone at work who you can trust and who can help.

i realized that: the reality though is that HR will listen, nod sympathetically, and if you''re lucky won''t call your boss.....often they do. they might even make notes in your personnel file. however, ultimately, they will not be in the employee''s corner. if one is looking for a sympathetic ear, a good friend or pricescope is the place to be. anything said to HR may not remain confidential...........

be prepared to answer why you left after such a short time. actually, this is easier than it sounds. most people have been in the same situation and will not fault you for leaving after a short time....however, if you stay for longer than a year in a position and they state there was a personality issue or the job wasn''t what was promised, the new job opportunity may evaporat before your eyes because they wonder why you would stay in such a position. living and working in and around silicon valley means that most people have seen everything and been through everything.....several times. i was actually praised in an interview for realizing the current position wasn''t for me and going out to get another position [i got that job!].

mz

mz

 

[LilyKat]

Oh, I''m so sorry Setell. I would focus your time and energy on putting your CV together and looking for other jobs, regardless of what eventually happens with your current position. Keep focused on the future - it will be your old companies'' loss if they let you go.

 

[poptart]

So sorry you are going through this Setell. Having come recently from a work environment NIGHTMARE, I would say that you should just leave on your own terms. In my previous workplace, I stuck with it because we needed the money and I rarely throw in the towel and quit at anything. But, if given the chance to do it over again, I would have run like the wind... places that mess with your self confidence can have an effect on you even once you get out of the situation. If you are told repeatedly that you''re a "poor performer," you will believe it''s true, even if it isn''t. Save your self esteem and find an employer who values your work!

 

[oddoneout]

I also was in a similar situation (I''m surprised at the number of people in a similar position). I was scapegoated and fired. I wished I''d just quit. I hated it there.

 

[setell]

I''m also surprised at how many are/were in a similar situation as me. I agree with poptart how it really messes you up. For me it wasn''t the repeated "poor performance" thing but more of the respect and ego. I go into work without being achknowledge (if you say hi to somebody they will walk right past you etc.) and my previous director (our levels of power senior VP, VP, director, manager...) was just horrible. I think my previous director is out to get me as her favourite employee (whom she treats like a daughter) has a vendetta against me (I didn''t side with her when she had a fallout with another co-worker so by doing so I am branded a evil person). I am very sick of the petty office politics here and the evil women that is involved.

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

setell, it''s Friday. I just want you to know I''m thinking about you and wishing you the best of luck.