Hello folks, I could do with some advice – and yes I've already considered shoes/piddle, bombers and M'ingTFU. 🙂 It's quite a long post, I apologise.

At the begining of July, I started a new job in a small(ish) local firm as the head of a small department.

A little history: It transpires that the former head of this department (Mr A) got p!ssed up at the 2009 Christmas Party and walked up to the MD demanding a pay rise. This didn't go down too well. Early in 2010 he gave the company an ultimatum – pay rise or he resigns. They accepted his resignation and started a recruitment campaign. I applied for the post in mid January.

In the intervening six months, the other chap stayed on to keep things going; I was told he would leave after a short hand-over period. In week one of my employment, I took each of the team to one side to have a private chat to get to know them, find out what they wanted etc. When I took Mr A for a natter, I asked what he was going to do – he said he'd changed his mind and now didn't want to leave. The guy is a good worker, so I was pleased to have him as part of the team.

During this early period, my line manager (the Financial Director) took me to one side and asked me to analyse the department and the companies infrastructure and make some recommendations – one aspect in particular being the head-count and how to reduce it. I did this and found thirty one 'projects' (some big, some small) that needed to be completed before any reduction in head-count should be considered. This didn't go down too well, but then I'm not a 'yes' man.

In my six weeks at the company, the Financial Director was only on-site for three; on business during my week one, and on holiday for the last two weeks. I was given no induction or even introduced to the rest of the management team.

Yesterday, I was fired and walked off the site. The reasons I was given for this are:

I don't think you have any rights to unfair dismissal claim until you have been there for a year. CAB website will confirm.

Al is right – there are exemptions if its discrimination but basically there is nowt you can do. Have you got all your holiday pay and notice pay and stuff – that you can enforce fairly easily

Wrongful dismissal is hard to prove with little to gain. With only being there 6 weeks I really don't think you will get anywhere. Walk away and consider yourself lucky.

Only concern may be references, could you come to an agreement with them regarding quality of any reference they may supply?

I thought the same and have looked on the CAB website, but couldn't find anything. I've also checked the direct.gov.uk site too.

EDIT: TJ. I think so. I have requested this in writing (e-mail) but so far have heard nothing.

FS. They've said they will provide a reference, but I'm not sure I'd want it. A six week gap in my employment record (of 22 years) could possibly be explained away.

doomed as less than one year in but check cotract over notice periood
As long as not discrimination on sexuality,race ener they can sack you becasue they dont like your shoes or any other reason they choose
SUCKS but legal

WTF would a reference look like from them?

from http://www.thompsons.law.co.uk/ltext/l1020001.htm

What is unfair dismissal?
Unfair dismissal is a statutory right giving employees with one year’s service the right to complain to a Tribunal that they have not been treated fairly or reasonably by their employer.

Better off out then? Thanks folks.

Anyone need a 42 year old IT manager/ex-Infrastructure Architect? All jobs considered. Will work for food.

Sadly yopur face didnt fit, they brought you in a hatchet man to sack staff, not to do a good job, go to a tribunal, but you may fail, but it may be fun to see what happens at the old company,when they recieve the letter.

Sorry, that sucks.
I haven't any particular advice, but you sound like a good manager, and deserve a better company.

ring ACAS

Ultimately its down to how big the payoff was – if its your notice period, fine.

If not, write and ask for what you are owed.

Thank you for the kind words folks. I'm feeling better about it after a bit of reflection.

It's odd, but it never felt 'right'. I suppose I should have known when the FD turned up 35 minutes late for my first interview and didn't have the decency to apologise to the fat bloke sat sweating in his bestest interview suit.

I was tempted to ring ACAS, but I don't think I'll bother. What would I gain other than a load of stress?

Br. They've promised payment of my months notice period. I have also requested payment for accrued holidays (5 days) but am not holding my breath.

They must pay you your holiday entitlement and notice. 1/13 of what you have earned gross IIRC ( minus any holidays you have taken)

However forget any other fighting. You will not get anywhere and its not worth the stress. You have no recourse to a tribunal.

Thanks TJ. I'll limit myself to righteous indignation only 8)

Don't forget to wee in their shoes when they're not looking. Sounds like you're better off out…