If you knew you were about to be fired would you just hand your resignation straight away?
Posted by English_R0se@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 65 comments
I work in corporate
Things haven’t been going well at my new job 3 months in. I have a really difficult and unresponsive manager and they haven’t been involving me in key projects.
I’ve just had a ‘probation review’ meeting put in for Thursday with HR and the two managers I have. I just know it’s coming. I feel sick with anxiety. Should I just quit right now??? Plz help I have nobody to talk to about this
p_r_d_v_a@reddit
Don't quit, see what they have to say first. You have nothing to lose.
kavik2022@reddit
This. Id spin it out as long as possible. If, it really isnt going well. Then it gives you time to look for another job
humanityisdyingfast@reddit
But your chains
idek_just_for_fun@reddit
Some managers are just difficult
Might be nothing
Don't quit, always stay to get the full benefits
SmokeStatus1593@reddit
They might not fire you straight away. They might put you on a plan which gives you time to find something else. Ride it out
KeyJunket1175@reddit
I am relatively new to some aspects of the UK, but don't we have European-like job rights? I.e. isn't it always better to wait for the employer to fire you, because you get a termination package and you can even appeal the decision? Back home it is difficult for companies to fire employees, so quite often they just give them some bullshit tasks until they resign on their own, or put them in a position where they don't impact anything. It is cheaper to keep paying them than to fire them. I hope this is not yet another aspect of UK life where we realise it is more American than European life....
peppermint_aero@reddit
Not exactly. If you're terminated for lack of performance, you can only appeal if you think the dismissal was "unfair". Check out the ACAS website.
Packages start to appear if you're terminated for redundancy, which is where you did nothing wrong but your employer doesn't need you any more.
KeyJunket1175@reddit
The lack of performance thing does sound familiar, but most often this is not objectively measurable, unless (random imaginary example) you work in a circle shape factory where your contract says you have to create 100 circles per day and they can show you consistently fail to do so. For huge majority of jobs this is not the case, so firing someone becomes very expensive and difficult. Sometimes multi-national companies give the person they want to get rid of a new task in some remote location, hoping they will refuse and can use it as "denial of work responsibilities" to fire them.
There is a severance pay anyway.
But again, in Europe there is law protected livable sick pay as a majority portion of your income, which isn't the case here, so... Little Murica.
peppermint_aero@reddit
I'm not sure why you keep trying to place Britain as either American-style or European-style. It's not really like the States - we don't have "right to work" (aka fire at will); employers can dismiss you for any reason that isn't legally barred (eg discrimination, retaliation for whistleblowing) in the first two years (soon to be six months once the new law comes in. After that, yes, it becomes more difficult and lengthy.
There definitely is no severance pay in the case of pure dismissal for performance. What greys the area is that if you're at a high enough level, HR will have a chat and say something like "we intend to fire you; would you prefer to resign instead and take this package as a mutual agreement?". But if you're like...on the serving floor at McDonald's, they'll just say "This isn't working out, good luck, here's your P45".
KeyJunket1175@reddit
Thanks for the clarification, the new 6 month rule sounds like a decent modernisation.
My dissatisfaction is that the country is supposed to be in Europe (even used to be EU...), yet, in many ways it leans towards American-style instead. I guess for locals that grew up in this it's natural, for me, an EU immigrant, it's very odd.
I think more and more of it as time goes by, as a sort of halfway stop between American style and European style of life. A bit of both, a bit chaotic.
peppermint_aero@reddit
We've always been half in half out of Europe culturally on aggregate; that may not be obvious to people on the continent (why would you pay attention to our internal neuroses on this topic, you have your own things to do!) but it's very obvious to people who grew up here. I say "on aggregate" because individuals will obviously have individual positions - some consider themselves more European than others.
korg64@reddit
Don't quit. They usually have to pay out for a few weeks plus your holiday. Stay, look for another job and raise hell while you're doing so.
CellistNarrow5069@reddit
Silent quitting. Do bare minimum
frazzye@reddit
Had this happen abroad so no benefits from being let go. They deleted my access from platforms I used for work before I even had the HR meeting/probation review so I quit.
ProsodySpeaks@reddit
Have you heard of quiet-quit? It's paid a lot better than being unemployed and takes very little work.
Focus on job hunting. Fuck your boss and their issues, life is too short.
don't quit -you gain nothing. But quit giving a shit what they think and get a grip on your mental health.
money2502@reddit
Go on sick leave
ForeignAdagio9169@reddit
What's your sick pay entitlement like? 😅
English_R0se@reddit (OP)
5 days paid, not used any yet!! Should I call in sick?
ForeignAdagio9169@reddit
I had 3 months in an old job. Writing was on the wall and I knew I was about to be fired. I spiraled, and fairly used my sicktime because my life was about to implode. If it gives you runway, call in sick and then give your notice.
Boring-Equivalent315@reddit
I come from a corporate background and this could one of two things - as you predicted, yes a firing. However if they have already shown the flexibility to allow you to change roles/move within your probation period, this could also be a PIP-style warning or formal process to allow time and support to improve. I’ve seen both scenarios. Usually firings are done late afternoon on a Friday, when is your meeting?
Fingers crossed it’s the first! Best of luck.
Arlacx@reddit
I’ve never heard a good outcome from a PIP. Amazon likes to use this method as a way of getting rid of people without having to pay redundancies.
English_R0se@reddit (OP)
The meeting is on Thursday lunchtime. Everyone works from home on Fridays… and Monday is a bank holiday… It wasn’t my choice to change my role, it was done because of a restructure. So my ex manager put me in somebody else’s team and my new manager has been very difficult to work with and won’t involve me in anything and has been going to other people for things that I should be handling. I have not been given a fair chance because of him
Boring-Equivalent315@reddit
I would document EVERYTHING. Including times you’ve been dismissed by your line manager, especially any email or Teams messages, to share during the meeting. State your case factually, I know it can be difficult but emotion or anger won’t do you any favours.
Prepare for the worst, but hope for the best. Just in case of the worst case scenario, to save awkward conversations, have your laptop, phone, pass, etc. ready to hand over and bring your bag with you to the meeting. Fingers crossed it doesn’t come to that!
Shirelurk@reddit
Explain all of this in the meeting!
Generally, a corporate job will want to keep you and do the 20% improvement to get you to 100% of the role, as opposed to firing and starting again entirely
Be gentle with it, don't blame, but do point out that you're back to work since redundancy and could do with more management support with regard to getting up to speed. Make known that you want to stay, and want to get up to speed! It's also the perfect opportunity to get on file, that the new manager of yours hasn't been great.
Don't stress! You're going to be okay. And do not QUIT!
Marvel--Jesus@reddit
Don't quit.
smellyfeet25@reddit
no. you may not get n=any benefits if you quit. they might say you made yourself unemployed. just wait and see. it might not be that bad but either way don't jump before you are pushed
Vast_Ad6541@reddit
As it is a probation i wouldnt quit - if you fail your probation you will just get fired.
As you only been there 3 months you can leave them out of cv as it's minor time in the company.
If you quit you lose your ability to get any benefits.
gpuk95@reddit
Also lose any PILON they may receive by being terminated for failing probation
zombiezmaj@reddit
Just start looking for new jobs/see if your old one will take you back
English_R0se@reddit (OP)
I can’t, I was made redundant in August 2024 and it took me this long to get this job
zombiezmaj@reddit
You cant look for a new job?
What do you intend doing if you are fired?!
If your industry is full look at other industries
English_R0se@reddit (OP)
I have been looking for a new job and actively applying but the market is so bad it will take so long to get something else. I wanted to leave this one on good terms and my own terms not get fired :(
Pick_Up_Autist@reddit
Why are you replying to every comment but the many pointing out how much you'd be ruining your life by quitting? If you are not rich you will need universal credit to live. Do. Not. Quit.
Grenache@reddit
If I knew I was getting fired then probably yes. But do you actually know your getting fired?
English_R0se@reddit (OP)
Yes this only means one thing. My last two probation review meetings (very normal to have each month) were only with my two managers. This one is with HR. And things haven’t been going well, they changed my role two months in and I haven’t been integrating with my new team. My manager doesn’t communicate with me. I just know it’s coming
mr-tap@reddit
Is there some chance they will see if you are open to transition back to the original role that was going well then?
English_R0se@reddit (OP)
No chance - someone else is now doing that role
beejiu@reddit
You may be fired, but they may also be extending your probation. Don't assume anything until you've had the meeting, I'm sure everything will be done respectfully.
Educational-Angle717@reddit
Probation reviews are pretty standard they might have just left it late to add it to your calendar. They're supposed to be impartial so if they are not you have a HR complaint to raise.
Most likely this will be outlining areas you are perhaps not meeting on the JD at the moment so that is your time to recitfy it.
If you have the confidence in the meeting I would add that you are the type of worker who appreciates open communication and that having more of that would support you better. I wouldnt call out your line manager direct but imply it subtly as they could equally align you with another colleague to support if they are busy.
Lyrakish@reddit
Don't jump the gun right away. Start looking around. It's easier to get a new job while having a job.
mr-tap@reddit
Probation Review meetings are standard, so you definitely should not assume that it means you are being fired.
I suggest that you go to the meeting and play the 'receptive to feedback' role whether or not it is relevant.
Also important to avoid the blame game. Try to understand the reason your manager not be involving you yet - are they a Captain Kirk that is too involved themselves, or are they a Captain Picard that has picked some other trusted advisor to 'make it so'.
Jaded_Leg_46@reddit
If you can prove that your working environment was intolerable, such as a toxic/ hostile work environment you may avoid sanctions. You can check the info on the .gov.uk site or citizens advice as understandably you want to keep your CV clean. Depending on how you view the actions of your manager as in do you think being left out of projects was intentional in order to make your position at the company untenable or may have been an oversight.
It leaves you in one of two positions, do they expect you to push for more involvement so that it improves your chances of retaining the position after probation because you have used your own initiative or have you remained on the periphery, not for of lack of enthusiasm but you believe your lack of experience might have been a factor for why you were kept on the periphery. Attend the meeting prepared but in the meantime push for more involvement.
Imperator_Helvetica@reddit
It sounds horrible and stressful and I'm sorry you're going through it.
There are people you can talk to just to get the stress out of your head - the Samaritans for example, you don't need to be suicidal or at rock bottom, they can just help if you're having a rough time. Therapy is good too - I don't know about the quality of online ones though.
Your union rep and/or citizens advice bureau are also good for advice and information.
As for quitting - don't. You will get better benefits etc if you have been fired/they have ended your contract.
You can ask if you can/should bring a union rep to the meeting. I think it's your right to.
Worst case - they're going to list their problems with you and fire you. That is the worst case and will be shitty and you'll be out of a job. However if you quit, you'll also be out of a job.
If they don't fire you and just tell you off then you can list your complaints about your manager and being out of the loop on projects etc. Best case, they do something about it - worst case they don't and you still have a shitty job - hich if you expected to lose it is still a win. Unless you punch someone nothing you say in complaints is going to lead to them firing you.
If you're unhappy and feel the vultures circling then start aggressively looking for a new job - use their internet, printing, phone calls etc.
A probation review could just be a chat to find out how things are going or an excuse to give you more or move you into a new team/role.
Some companies are just shitty and deliberately terminate people before they finish probation and gain rights - call centres are notorious for this, so don't feel singled out.
If they've made their decision there isn't much you can do to affect it and worrying doesn't help.
Best of luck
Scared-Room-9962@reddit
I dont think you can claim JSA or whatever its called nowadays if you resign.
jungleddd@reddit
If you haven’t already, make an appointment with your GP about your anxiety. There’s things they can do, including prescribing medication to help. The meds I’m on have helped me get through things which would have made me crumble without them.
anjunableep@reddit
Some companies will give you payment in lieu even if you're on probation.
As for you anxiety, anyone would be stressed about this and, from where I'm sitting, it is likely that you're going to be let go. It's not something to be ashamed of, things simply didn't work out and that's sad much on them as it is on you.
Try to plan and look ahead, maybe apply for a few jobs. The meeting will be short and private, probably you will have to say very little. You don't have to put it on your CV, you just move on.
One strong piece of advice from someone who's been there: before the meeting clear all personal items from your desk, clear anything personal from your computer. That way if you do get fired you can just walk straight out the door (instead of being escorted to your desk by security and doing the walk of shame in front of all of your ex colleagues).
Correct_Elk2320@reddit
Where is the evidence of your “bad performance” . Your manager should tell you if you are underperforming in your 1-1. Has anything like that been mentioned? If not you go in and act surprised at any criticism redirecting any problems to your mgrs, you on the other hand are sure you were doing brilliantly. Grow a thick skin. Sounds like early days for you. They have to give notice if anything and that is your time to find another job if it comes to that.
Royal-Sock-IV@reddit
Please come back and let us know what happens either way.
I think you should go to the meeting, you may be over analysing because the job means so much to you.
If it is due to poor performance you can leave after the probation period amacably and look elsewhere knowing you did the right thing.
chuchoterai@reddit
The anxiety is clouding your judgement because you don’t want to go the meeting, understandably if you think they want to fire you.
But that is your anxiety, not reality.
You need to go. I know it is horrible but you might have got it wrong and quitting is just making their job easier.
InitiativeConscious7@reddit
I almost did, then someone suggested going off on the sick and took three months off while I looked for a new job. A lot of places just wont continue disciplinaries if your off sick
PhobosTheBrave@reddit
Sounds like you should air these thoughts and try to resolve them?
In the mean time look for jobs, don’t quit a paying job until a new one is found.
MiserablePool1725@reddit
They might put you in a different team /role. Don’t make it easy for them by quitting.
Someone mentioned - it might affect your benefits (work and/ state) so check that out too.
Were you given a joining bonus - check your contract you might have to return it if you quit.
Focus on applying for new roles, take your mind off this one. Good luck, it’s part and parcel of corporate life.
CauseOptimal8501@reddit
No, don’t quite. How do you know they are going to fire you for certain? Sometimes places need an end of probation review to tell you how you’re doing and maybe extend the probation if things haven’t been going well, but need more time to progress.
Obvious-Water569@reddit
Don't waste your energy resigning. Put it into finding a new job.
fastestman4704@reddit
No. 100% no. Do not quit.
Volunteering to leave your job will affect what support you are entitled to before you find more work.
Do what everyone else does, apply for new jobs at your current job until they fire you, and if you get one before that then you can quit.
terryjuicelawson@reddit
Often people who just quit regret it as they may not then get benefits and they actually make life easier for the employer anyway. It could well end up a very positive meeting where you can discuss issues you've been having and support gets put in place, you never know.
Fatty-McFatto@reddit
I like to think I'd do an American Beauty and threaten to accuse my boss of offering to blow me for a big payoff, but I probably wouldn't 😞
ArmouredFlump@reddit
Probation reviews are just that, reviews. 3 months in it should be an open discussion of whats working and otherwise for both you and your employer.
Go into it positive, talk about areas you'd like to develop, talk about the projects you'd like to get involved with and listen and act on any concerns raised.
3 months is still finding your feet territory, stop stressing. :D
Flaramon@reddit
If you plan / have to use benefits such as Job Seekers, then being fired is the only way. If you left your job voluntarily then Job Seekers will not support you.
Morganx27@reddit
I'd wait for them to sack you while looking for other jobs, personally. If you quit now, you have a week before you're unemployed, if that. If you wait for them to sack you, you've got a little while longer.
Rubberfootman@reddit
I would first make sure that it doesn’t affect your ability to claim state benefits.
One-Ad6305@reddit
Yeah quit. Did they say anything about bringing a representative from trade union to a college with you in the meeting? If so I have bad news for you
Own-Jeweler3169@reddit
I would wait to hear what they say first, voice your troubles, that's what the meeting is for, but don't turn it into a blame game, try to work out how you can move forward, no point pissing people off for no reason, they will just end your probabtion. But certainly voice your achievements, and the want to be more involed with X projects and see how it goes and if you can improve your working relationships, in the meantime, dust up your CV and start applying because the market is horrible atm.
ci_newman@reddit
If you quit, its a longer wait for benefits.
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