Tears, tears and more tears

[Charlie Brown]

I've lost my job.

Great at selling but couldn't keep up with the mound of paperwork.

Hardly any of it has been my fault. Lots of tears and people feeling sorry for me in the office but what can you do.

It's all rubbish. :o

[Cowlinn]

Sorry to hear that mate, what is you plan now?

[Larry B Entertainment]

Maybe this is the time to really push the disco business now !

[discomobiledj]

That's unfortunate. Did you do the things I said in my email to you?

[Alchemy]

Remember our conversation in the pub? You have an opportunity now to take some time to organise yourself and push your entertainment business. This is a blessing in disguise, believe me :)

[hammy]

Push the business forward Charlie, You now have the chance, Good luck buddy

[Mark Wild]

No verbal or written warning Charlie?

[discomobiledj]

No verbal or written warning Charlie?

He's been there less than a year hasn't he? Therefore nothing needed.

[NKR]

What paperwork could you not keep up with. I thought you were selling houses?

[DeckstarDeluxe]

He's been there less than a year hasn't he? Therefore nothing needed.

Doesn't work like that.

Naturally with Charlie I'm never sure I'm in procession of all the facts however Charlie did mention something of a warning before about performance?

[wensleydale]

Lots of tears and people feeling sorry for me in the office but what can you do.


What can you do?

That depends how much you do or dont want it.

If it's what you want and you genuinely believe you were good at it then put up a fight- talk through with your boss what you have contributed whilst you've been there and why you believe you can do it.
Why can't you keep up with the paperwork and what can you do to manage the workload.

A career doesnt just fall into your lap Charlie.

If you are 100% dedicated to CBE then others are right and it might be a good opportunity to move that forward, but I dont agree with others on here that losing your job is a "good thing"- it won't look like a good thing if you need to apply for another job in the near future, and at the risk of putting the cat amongst the pigeons my view is that you'd be better off having a regular income until CBE is bigger.

Good luck whatever you decide, but I think you need to think about this a litte more.

[DiscoMagic]

Doesn't work like that.



Unfortuantly, I have to disagree.

Unless an employer quotes a shorter probation period, then probation defaults to a year within which the employer can terminate employment without even giving a reason. :(

The employee has no ground to stand on unless he/she feels that they have been unfairly treated, or managed by their superiors.

Charlie - I feel for you mate. It has happened to me three times - and its absolutely horrid. Take a week out, look at your options, and like everyone says here make a go of the Disco Business. You seem to have made a huge success in the time since you started and have got a nice little business going, (with Darrens help of course :))

One thing about running your business - you need to be able to sort your admin out, or get someone to help do it for you.

Best of luck :D

[DeckstarDeluxe]

Sorry you can't just sack anyone within a year. I'm speaking from personal experience here and the employment law is heavily in favour of the employee rather than the employer. I don't want to take Charlies thread too far off topic.

You most certainly can not sack someone without reason!

[discomobiledj]

And they are looking at making 2 years that an employee can be "removed" from their position without reason.

Bit of info.....

http://michaelscutt.co.uk/2011/02/07/unfair-dismissal-without-12-months-continuous-employment-experience/

[DiscoMagic]

Not wanting to cause an argument, but I am not sure you are right.

I recently had to let a couple of staff go, one of whom had been with us for 9 months. Reason? It was simply not working out as planned.

The difference between the magic one year is that beforehand it is more difficult for the employee to claim unfair dismissal unless for the stated before hand.* After a year a company is much more at risk and therefore has to go down disciplinary route.

*source: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/RedundancyAndLeavingYourJob/Dismissal/DG_10026619

[Charlie Brown]

Just close the thread please mods. It was a stupid thing to post.

[Excalibur]

Just close the thread please mods. It was a stupid thing to post.

Request noted Charlie, taking it to higher authority.

[Alchemy]

Just close the thread please mods. It was a stupid thing to post.

??????????????????? Why? :confused:

[Sapphire Disco]

Just close the thread please mods. It was a stupid thing to post.

I'm confused now , was it just a joke ?

If it's true then I feel sorry for you and yes maybe you should have just kept it to yourself there are reasons why people make such decisions :)

[WWDJ]

My wife is in HR and as an employer you are pretty much entitled to let someone go within the first year assuming that you have not done so based on discrimination.

If there have been warnings or documented disciplinary proceedings then it works even better in the favour of the employer.

Pick yourself up Charlie, go and have a few beers and take stock of the situation. You seem like a decent bloke to me, you've just got to find your way (and at your age I didnt have a bloody clue what that was!!!)

[DJDC]

Charlie sorry to hear the news, They say a problem shared is a problem halved. Hopefully you'll gleam something you consider of use, in the posts. Good Luck with whatever you decide to do.

[Matty12]

Sorry to hear that, good luck on finding another job or you could just concentrate on your own business.

[Paul The Party Dj]

Just to say, I'm sure you'll be fine Charlie - use it as opportunity - prove them wrong by being successful.

Good to meet you (briefly) on Sunday - I was impressed!

Take care, chin up, and count your blessings!

[Charlie Brown]

Here goes. The whole truth and nothing but the truth!
When I started a year ago, there was four of us in Lettings. Sarah, Neil, Gemma and myself. Sarah’s role was to deal with the paperwork once Neil, Gemma and myself had let a property. No problem, all I had to do was walk around the city encouraging people to take the property.

Then Gemma decided to leave to go traveling. The boss decided to move Neil (who was the Letting’s manager) over to city centre sales and Emily (who’s original roll was city centre sales) to Letting’s manager. We’re now in the beginning of September. The office is starting to get very very busy. Students have decided which Uni they’re going to study at, so it’s time to look for an apartment. We have a new member of staff to replace Gemma. Suddenly, Sarah who used to do all of our paperwork (contracts, referencing, credit checks, arrange inventorys, gas safeys etc) left – out of the blue. A couple of days later, we had to move the receptionist upstairs to help deal with property management problems because we were so overwhelmed.

Hannah (who was the new member of staff to replace Gemma) went to Ibiza for a week, leaving just Emily and myself. I then had to pick up all of Hannah’s applications, the ones’ Sarah had just left and my own. I’d never done contracts/paperworks before so I was trying to learn (with very little guidance from others in the office) how it all works.

I presumed I was doing the right thing by doing loads of viewings and letting tons of properties.
In two weeks, this isn’t an exaggeration by the way – bear in mind Hannah was away for a week….

Charlie – 32 properties let
Emily – 2
Hannah – 4

Now a good two hours of paperwork goes behind each let. I couldn’t physically keep up with the work load. People wanted to view properties so my paperwork was clogging up. Then when I turned viewings away, landlords would start complaining that there property hasn’t been let. It was a vicious circle.

Anyway, I received an email from the boss, explaining that if I don’t get my act together, I’m gone. A lot of people read this email and thought it was very unfair. A lot of the mess I was foolish enough to pick up, wasn’t my fault or problem. I had a little tear when I read the email and Emily (lettings manager) said, ‘what’s up babe? Didn’t realise you were getting an email? Ahhh’ I trusted her so much but it turns out, she had seen the email beforehand and agreed with him, yet she pretended/s to be my best friend for the next few weeks.

Now, the boss said I’d had many complaints. I don’t think this is true whatsoever, apart from one, which he questioned me about. I emailed him three weeks ago, asking for a meeting to ‘discuss the complaints’ but I didn’t get a reply. When I asked him in yesterdays meeting, he kept avoiding the question.
Yes, my paperwork was clogging up but not enough for people to complain right to the top. This is how it should work – someone complains to me and if I can’t resolve it, the complaint will be passed onto Emily (lettings manager) if she can’t resolve it, the complaint would be passed to Sheryl (office manager) and if she can’t, it would go to the boss of the whole firm. I hadn’t heard of ANY complaints whilst I was there, odd, eh?

Anyway, I worked my backside off to catch up on all my paperwork, often staying till 10.00pm. A few days ago, everyone was done and moved in so I thought I could relax.

A week ago, this chap whose mum is best friends with the boss turns up for a month’s work experience with the ‘view of getting a job’. He used to go to the high school and had just dropped out of uni. He was 21. He is asked to follow me so I can teach him the ropes. I didn’t think anything of it at the time, but can you see where this going?....

Yesterday (Friday) I receive an email from the boss asking for a meeting at noon. Everyone is laughing and joking in the office that I’m going to get the sack, but they all thought, I was either going to get a ‘well done for catching up’ or ‘don’t do it again’ Emily even had the cheek to say, ‘don’t worry about it babe. He’s probably just going to give you a pay rise and a pat on the back’ – come on, she must have known I was about to get the push!?

I met him, quaking in my boots, sweating like anything. I tried to explain (very poorly) what’s happened and gone wrong, but he wasn’t listening. He told me that I’m a great lad and he loved me to bits but he can’t have someone working for FHP who can’t do the whole job properly. He’s happy to give me a glowing reference and be my ‘mentor’ at any point. He gave me another months wage and said I can go to the Christmas party – great!  He reached out to shake my hand but I just gave him a big bear hug and said ‘thank you for a wonderful opportunity’ and left with a tear in my eye.

I’m so angry and annoyed I didn’t fight my corner. At the time, I was in shock. It’s unfair I’m leaving. I wasn’t given help and they all just watched me drown as I took on more and more work. I really enjoyed the social aspect, they were a lovely bunch of people.

When I went back to the office and told everyone, there was some serious uproar. Lot’s of swearing and saying ‘they can’t believe it’ … ‘it’s so unfair’ The office manager rang the boss straight away, asking what’s going on. I left, with Sheryl saying ‘I want to try and find you another role in the office.’
I’ve got another week left before I say my good byes. What do you all think? Reckon this new guy will get the job? Maybe I am too unorganised?

[yourdj]

What paperwork could you not keep up with. I thought you were selling houses?

may have something to do with being on here all the time or the fact they are not very busy from what you have said.

Oh well still got the disco business and lots of time.
I got fired three times in a month when i decided I wanted a job.
i have worked for myself ever since.

[Charlie Brown]

may have something to do with being on here all the time or the fact they are not very busy from what you have said.

Oh well still got the disco business and lots of time.
I got fired three times in a month when i decided I wanted a job.
i have worked for myself ever since.

They are very busy and I've hardly ever been here in the day recently!

[WWDJ]

what date did you start Charlie and when does your notice period end? It makes all the difference if it takes you over one years service

[Charlie Brown]

It's certainly been over a year.

[Charlie Brown]

I may be offered another role within the company.

I think I'll politely decline, hold my head up high and move on.

Take two weeks out and evaluate the disco side of things before I do anything. If I can't find a job another apprenticeship might be the way forward.

[Alchemy]

Question 1: Do you earn more money doing disco's or lettings?

Answer a) Disco's
Answer b) Lettings

Question 2: Do you get more job satisfaction doing:

Answer a) Disco's
Answer b) Lettings

Question 3: Do you belong to any of the following forums:

Answer a) mobilediscodirectory.co.uk
Answer b) ireallyloveletting.co.uk


If you answered (a) to 2 or more of these questions then stop feeling sorry for yourself, pick yourself up, dust yourself off, get your driving licence,

and take Nottingham by storm !!! :boxer: :boxer: :boxer:

[WWDJ]

It's certainly been over a year.

Might be worth a read. If you are over a yearbyou have more rights but it depends whether they followed process or not.

http://www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=1797

http://www.acas.org.uk/media/pdf/h/m/Acas_Code_of_Practice_1_on_disciplinary_and_grieva nce_procedures.pdf

The company should have taken you through a disciplinary process involving meeting where you have the right to be accompanied

If they did not do this and you are over one year service, then it would be worth a chat with ACAS about unfair dismissal.

Good luck!

[Charlie Brown]

Do I really want to do that though?

Wouldn't I be better to 'go along with it' and get a glowing reference?

[WWDJ]

Do I really want to do that though?

Wouldn't I be better to 'go along with it' and get a glowing reference?

Well you would need to talk to ACAS, but basically if they haven't followed process the general idea is that you threaten to take them to court, they pay you cash and a glowing referernce to not do so and sign what is called a compromise agreement, which means you declare to take no action against them.

At you age and service the gains would be less than if you were 40 with 10 years service but it might be worth pointing out if they haven't followed process to worry them and put doubts in their mind.

You need to check they haven't followed process though and ACAS can advise you of that as they will need to know what has happened

[Jonathan Ford]

Do I really want to do that though?

Wouldn't I be better to 'go along with it' and get a glowing reference?

A good reference is no good when you're on the dole. For what it's worth, if I were in your position, I'd probably be inclined to go for it, assuming the facts are as given here...if not for yourself then for the other employees who are being treated with such a cavalier attitude.

All the best in whatever you decide.

[Charlie Brown]

I certainly won't be going on the dole. Ever.

[Digital Jack]

You may reconsider when you no longer live with ma & pa...

[Booche]

Sorry to hear about the issue Charlie,

I do however agree about persueing the above info, its ok saying your not going on the dole and you will look for work elsewere and how the above will effect your reference BUT have you thought that any new company etc will ask what your last job was and why you finished/left etc ?

Soon as you say that you couldnt keep up with the paperwork/workload im 99.9% sure they will think "oh right lazy sod OR if he got fired for not keeping up with paperwork how the hell is he going to keep up with deadlines on orders or what ever it is"

Yes before anyone jumps on and asks if i have experiance of this as this is what i did for 18months (potential job coach adviser) which included C.V help,Phone technique,intervew help and various other aspects.

You obviously have the look and experiance/proper manner as to follow a interview (as thats what a enquiery is end of the day)

So like i say i'd ask to were my 1st warning was, then the written warning, unless it was written in your youth scheme contract that they could terminate at any point of time....

[Sapphire Disco]

Charlie you've probably let too many people know too much about yourself and some of the things you have done in the past somebody has probably stabbed you in the back , work is like that I'm afraid, just looking at the sales figures you've posted tells me a story, don't tell people your secrets or some of the silly things you may have done in the past, it will always come back and bite you in the end.

As regards taking your employers to a tribunal I'm not sure I would go that far although you probably should as it could turn out nasty, I think I would ask them to put down in writing why they no longer require your services, they should have no worries about doing that, unless they have something to hide ;)

Anyway good luck for the future I think you could make a good living from being a DJ so maybe they've done you a favor.

[DJ Paulie]

I agree with Booche, I have had a few run ins with bosses, but as my father had his own company for over 40 years i knew they couldn't just sack you. Slightly off topic, but might help you feela bit better Charlie. I started working in a pub in Weymouth, part time. Then the manager had to go out sick, she came into the pub one evening before going on to the town, the boss went mental and said she needn't bother coming back as if she's well enough to out on the lash, she's well enough to work.

So I moved right into her job and basically ran the pub for the boos while he stayed upstairs and only came down to stand in for me while I had a break. A lot of people thought I was the landlord, but I explained that I was only the manager, they used to say but where is he, we never see him. Anyway I was getting married and the landlord said he would do the food and I could have the pub for the sfternoon, but he would have to let the public in for the evening. I invited pretty much all the customers as I had gotten to know them really well. (It was a real ale pub and the oldest in the town so got a lot of regulars)

He said at one time 'how many are you inviting ? I know I said I'd do the food but not for the whole population' I laughed and said 'but most of the people who come in here are my friends so I want them to come' Anyway it went ok, but still felt uneasy due to his comments.

I went off on honeymoon and when I came back he had told the young lad who was working he wanted to see me downstairs in the office/cellar. I wne down and he handed me a letter. The envelope wasn't sealed but had my full name and address on it, so I think he intended to post it. I read it and it was my termination notice. The reasons being:
I smoked too much when should be working behind the bar. Ok yes but I never smoked BEHIND the bar, always at the end and as soon as someone came in i went behind the bar and served them, even if they were looking for directions or the cig machine.
I cast aspirsions about the young kid who was training to be a chef about him being gay. NOT true - we laughed and joked he was a bit effeminate, but he had had 3 girlfriends while I worked with him so we both knew it was a joke.
I used to tell people I ran the pub - again not true, I told them I was the bar manager, but the landlord kept saying he didn't like labels so i was just a barman.

He said I was welcome in the pub, but if I started bad mouthing the pub or him he would take action. I just left and went back upstairs. I told one of the regulars 'I've been sacked' as she asked where I was going. I have seen a fair few of the regulars since and told them the true story. They agreed that was a terrible thing to do and he obviously saw you were more popular than him.

A lot of them said they didn't go in after they saw I had left. (They were told I left not I was sacked) I've heard he's no longer the landlord now anyway, he had to sell it because he wasn't making any money !

I've moved on, got a nice house with a loving partner, my own disco company and at the age of 45 I'm finally settled. Ok I have moved to a different country, but I'm happy doing what I like doing.

Keep your chin up Charlie, take time out like you said, then make an effort to show everyone you might be down, but not out ! I wouldn't go to the party, might be a bit difficult on all sides. Mind you if they ask you to do the entertainment scr£w em ! :D

One more thing (honest !) I thought that giving a bad referance was libel ?

[NKR]

Here goes. The whole truth and nothing but the truth!
When I started a year ago, there was four of us in Lettings. Sarah, Neil, Gemma and myself. Sarah’s role was to deal with the paperwork once Neil, Gemma and myself had let a property. No problem, all I had to do was walk around the city encouraging people to take the property.

Then Gemma decided to leave to go traveling. The boss decided to move Neil (who was the Letting’s manager) over to city centre sales and Emily (who’s original roll was city centre sales) to Letting’s manager. We’re now in the beginning of September. The office is starting to get very very busy. Students have decided which Uni they’re going to study at, so it’s time to look for an apartment. We have a new member of staff to replace Gemma. Suddenly, Sarah who used to do all of our paperwork (contracts, referencing, credit checks, arrange inventorys, gas safeys etc) left – out of the blue. A couple of days later, we had to move the receptionist upstairs to help deal with property management problems because we were so overwhelmed.

Hannah (who was the new member of staff to replace Gemma) went to Ibiza for a week, leaving just Emily and myself. I then had to pick up all of Hannah’s applications, the ones’ Sarah had just left and my own. I’d never done contracts/paperworks before so I was trying to learn (with very little guidance from others in the office) how it all works.

I presumed I was doing the right thing by doing loads of viewings and letting tons of properties.
In two weeks, this isn’t an exaggeration by the way – bear in mind Hannah was away for a week….

Charlie – 32 properties let
Emily – 2
Hannah – 4

Now a good two hours of paperwork goes behind each let. I couldn’t physically keep up with the work load. People wanted to view properties so my paperwork was clogging up. Then when I turned viewings away, landlords would start complaining that there property hasn’t been let. It was a vicious circle.

Anyway, I received an email from the boss, explaining that if I don’t get my act together, I’m gone. A lot of people read this email and thought it was very unfair. A lot of the mess I was foolish enough to pick up, wasn’t my fault or problem. I had a little tear when I read the email and Emily (lettings manager) said, ‘what’s up babe? Didn’t realise you were getting an email? Ahhh’ I trusted her so much but it turns out, she had seen the email beforehand and agreed with him, yet she pretended/s to be my best friend for the next few weeks.

Now, the boss said I’d had many complaints. I don’t think this is true whatsoever, apart from one, which he questioned me about. I emailed him three weeks ago, asking for a meeting to ‘discuss the complaints’ but I didn’t get a reply. When I asked him in yesterdays meeting, he kept avoiding the question.
Yes, my paperwork was clogging up but not enough for people to complain right to the top. This is how it should work – someone complains to me and if I can’t resolve it, the complaint will be passed onto Emily (lettings manager) if she can’t resolve it, the complaint would be passed to Sheryl (office manager) and if she can’t, it would go to the boss of the whole firm. I hadn’t heard of ANY complaints whilst I was there, odd, eh?

Anyway, I worked my backside off to catch up on all my paperwork, often staying till 10.00pm. A few days ago, everyone was done and moved in so I thought I could relax.

A week ago, this chap whose mum is best friends with the boss turns up for a month’s work experience with the ‘view of getting a job’. He used to go to the high school and had just dropped out of uni. He was 21. He is asked to follow me so I can teach him the ropes. I didn’t think anything of it at the time, but can you see where this going?....

Yesterday (Friday) I receive an email from the boss asking for a meeting at noon. Everyone is laughing and joking in the office that I’m going to get the sack, but they all thought, I was either going to get a ‘well done for catching up’ or ‘don’t do it again’ Emily even had the cheek to say, ‘don’t worry about it babe. He’s probably just going to give you a pay rise and a pat on the back’ – come on, she must have known I was about to get the push!?

I met him, quaking in my boots, sweating like anything. I tried to explain (very poorly) what’s happened and gone wrong, but he wasn’t listening. He told me that I’m a great lad and he loved me to bits but he can’t have someone working for FHP who can’t do the whole job properly. He’s happy to give me a glowing reference and be my ‘mentor’ at any point. He gave me another months wage and said I can go to the Christmas party – great!  He reached out to shake my hand but I just gave him a big bear hug and said ‘thank you for a wonderful opportunity’ and left with a tear in my eye.

I’m so angry and annoyed I didn’t fight my corner. At the time, I was in shock. It’s unfair I’m leaving. I wasn’t given help and they all just watched me drown as I took on more and more work. I really enjoyed the social aspect, they were a lovely bunch of people.

When I went back to the office and told everyone, there was some serious uproar. Lot’s of swearing and saying ‘they can’t believe it’ … ‘it’s so unfair’ The office manager rang the boss straight away, asking what’s going on. I left, with Sheryl saying ‘I want to try and find you another role in the office.’
I’ve got another week left before I say my good byes. What do you all think? Reckon this new guy will get the job? Maybe I am too unorganised?

Charlie - man of experience that I am. Trust only a few people in this industry (property) as being too open leads to a knife between the shoulder blades.

By the way mate if you can shift kit like you say you can then there is an oportunity out there waiting to happen.

Anyway you are better out of resi sales and lettings anyway as they are unqualified and unprofessional in most cases.

If I ever meet you I will tell you my tale of woe, which I managed to read and jump out of the way of, but they still took a side swipe. My record was squeaky squeaky, just outperformed some senior people and made them look bad. You may just have pushed someones nose out of joint with your figures.

If you want to jump back on the horse in property I am on the end of the phone for advice if required.

Just pass it off as an experience.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Some things happen for a reason. Take it on the chin, move on and you'll look back one day and wonder why you were so worried.

It's time to have a proper think about the direction you want to go in.
If I were you, I would use the time and extra money that you've got and sign up for an intense driving course. It will benefit you big time. Pass your test, Get yourself a car or van and then concentrate on the Disco side of things.

[flatliners]

charlie sorry to hear about your job.
what you want to do is go and get a job in a care home like me i love it.
there's always jobs in care

[Charlie Brown]

Well I've just been offered £1,300.

I've decided not to go back to any job but to try and make Posh work.

[Matty12]

Well I've just been offered £1,300.



For what?:confused:

[Charlie Brown]

For what?:confused:

Making me leave happier? Although it won't last very long in this day and age.

[Matty12]

Making me leave happier? Although it won't last very long in this day and age.

That what I thought it might of been, try and get some more out of them!:D Have you accepted?:)

[Alchemy]

Well I've just been offered £1,300.

I've decided not to go back to any job but to try and make Posh work.

Great news Charlie. Go for it :)

[WWDJ]

Making me leave happier? Although it won't last very long in this day and age.

I wouldn't be accepting their first offer, especially if they are attempting to 'pay you off' and you are over one years service.

As per my previous emails if they haven't followed process and they just want you out, you can hold for something better ..

[Sapphire Disco]

I wouldn't be accepting their first offer, especially if they are attempting to 'pay you off' and you are over one years service.

As per my previous emails if they haven't followed process and they just want you out, you can hold for something better ..

Think I would tend to agree although you could take it and accept it as an admission of guilt and then sue the arse off them :D

[WWDJ]

Think I would tend to agree although you could take it and accept it as an admission of guilt and then sue the arse off them :D

Potentially, but if they have any sense they would have Charlie sign a compromise agreement prohibiting him from doing that. :)