Help! Probationary and further employment issues

[Beerfixer]

I hope someone can help? I have been employed by a company on a probationary period of 10 Months now and have my final Probationary meeting on Monday. I have a manager that does not seem to like me and is threatening me with termination of contract on almost a daily basis.

 

 

I started with the company in May 2015 and everything was fine. My partner found out she was pregnant at the beginning of August and this is when problems started.

 

 

There have been many complications with her pregnancy, that have required me to have to phone in to work stating that I would be unable to go in and the reason why. My partner has Aspergers and does not deal with hospitals very well and I have to go with her to keep her calm and also explain things to doctors and ensure that she stays in a relatively calm state. We have ended up in the hospital on at least 6 occasions and spent most of the night there which has meant I have had only a minimal amount of sleep and I have to drive for my work as I am a mobile engineer.

 

 

 

 

She has also been diagnosed with sever morning sickness Hyperemisis Gravidarum and also SPD (issue with pelvis causing excruciating Pain). The SPD has now come to a point where my partner is unable to walk.

 

 

She requires Physio Therapy to help reduce the pain and also get provided with some equipment to make it easier for her to get around. The problem I have is that my manager is telling me that I cant have time off to help get my partner to her appointments and when I last asked to leave work to get her to hospital, because she had fallen and could not get up, he turned around and said get some one else to take her.

 

 

We live alone in wales and the nearest family is in Wiltshire, which is at least 3 hours away.

 

 

SORRY THIS IS SO LONG WINDED!

 

 

At my probationary meeting they are focusing on my absence from work. Only 2 occasions for sickness for my self, and then at least 6 occasions where I have had to be with my partner to get her to hospital for emergency reasons and then 1 time for a antenatal appointment as the midwife needed to speak to me.

 

 

My manager is telling me that I have not been supportive of the team, but in my mind at the end of the day, my partner and baby come first and foremost! Are they allowed to refuse any further employment after Monday due to the fact that the times I have been off work have been mainly for emergency situations with my partner and also are they allowed to keep me on a 10 month probationary period? I really need to know where I stand as I am also an aspergers sufferer and do not do well in these sorts of meetings like on Monday coming.

 

 

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

[BazzaS]

I hope someone can help? I have been employed by a company on a probationary period of 10 Months now and have my final Probationary meeting on Monday. I have a manager that does not seem to like me and is threatening me with termination of contract on almost a daily basis.

 

 

I started with the company in May 2015 and everything was fine. My partner found out she was pregnant at the beginning of August and this is when problems started.

 

 

There have been many complications with her pregnancy, that have required me to have to phone in to work stating that I would be unable to go in and the reason why. My partner has Aspergers and does not deal with hospitals very well and I have to go with her to keep her calm and also explain things to doctors and ensure that she stays in a relatively calm state. We have ended up in the hospital on at least 6 occasions and spent most of the night there which has meant I have had only a minimal amount of sleep and I have to drive for my work as I am a mobile engineer.

 

 

 

 

She has also been diagnosed with sever morning sickness Hyperemisis Gravidarum and also SPD (issue with pelvis causing excruciating Pain). The SPD has now come to a point where my partner is unable to walk.

 

 

She requires Physio Therapy to help reduce the pain and also get provided with some equipment to make it easier for her to get around. The problem I have is that my manager is telling me that I cant have time off to help get my partner to her appointments and when I last asked to leave work to get her to hospital, because she had fallen and could not get up, he turned around and said get some one else to take her.

 

 

We live alone in wales and the nearest family is in Wiltshire, which is at least 3 hours away.

 

 

SORRY THIS IS SO LONG WINDED!

 

 

At my probationary meeting they are focusing on my absence from work. Only 2 occasions for sickness for my self, and then at least 6 occasions where I have had to be with my partner to get her to hospital for emergency reasons and then 1 time for a antenatal appointment as the midwife needed to speak to me.

 

 

My manager is telling me that I have not been supportive of the team, but in my mind at the end of the day, my partner and baby come first and foremost! Are they allowed to refuse any further employment after Monday due to the fact that the times I have been off work have been mainly for emergency situations with my partner and also are they allowed to keep me on a 10 month probationary period? I really need to know where I stand as I am also an aspergers sufferer and do not do well in these sorts of meetings like on Monday coming.

 

 

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

 

If you have a disability : they must make reasonable adjustments for it (provided you have made them aware of it).

 

If the issue is absences due to you having to support your partner : with only 10 months service they can dismiss you if they feel you will not be capable of meeting the requirements of your role.

[andydub64]

So technically they are saying that because you have had 8 days of sick, this is reasonable grounds to show you have failed the probational period, nonsense, but employment law only gives employees in the same position as you, rights and protection after 2 years being employed, which as this company will do, exploit.

 

Did you explain your wifes condition at the interview before they offered you the job??,

 

You are right to put your wife and baby first.

[Beerfixer]

So technically they are saying that because you have had 8 days of sick, this is reasonable grounds to show you have failed the probational period, nonsense, but employment law only gives employees in the same position as you, rights and protection after 2 years being employed, which as this company will do, exploit.

 

Did you explain your wifes condition at the interview before they offered you the job??,

 

You are right to put your wife and baby first.

 

Hi andydub64,

 

Thank you for your reply.

 

I did notify my work as soon as we found out my partner was pregnant, that due to previous medical conditions there is the risk of complications with the pregnancy. The main problem I have is trying to get them to understand is that I do really enjoy my job and that I would not take time off unless it was absolutely necessary. The manager I have even turned around to me the other day when my partner had fallen and couldn't get up and said get someone else to sort her out as I would be letting my colleagues down! I almost told him where to go there and then with the job, but I cannot afford to lose it as it is the only thing that keeps the roof over our heads and if I don't have it we will end up living apart with her in London at her mothers and me in Wales as I wouldn't be able to support all of us!

[andydub64]

The terms of your employment contract, and the stated probation period, which seems odd, ten months, and a bit odd would be breaching the contract, i would assume, if it is infact 3 or 6 months which is the normal.

 

Look at the contract, if that is the case, 3 or 6 months, you will need to point this out at the meeting, although not technically an issue on which you could rely on giving you have not completed two years, but this will immediately put a doubt in their thinking, most employers are ignorant to employment law.

 

You also point out the fact that you made the company aware during the interview of your wife's condition if they dont budge on the employment contract, ( probational period ) again this will put a doubt into their thinking.

 

Get any decision in writing, crucial.

[scousebird]

Under 2 years you have limited/almost no protection. I think though there is the fact that you do have your own disability should make them extra careful with regards to how they follow this through to ensure they dont leave themselves open to any discrimination backlash.

your leave was for emergencies (so could be taken from holiday entitlement) so not really a sickness issue to reflect on your reliability for work.

Potentially they could offer to extend your probationary period.....

get everything in writing and if you havent had a copy of their employers handbook/t&c's outlining the probationary and disciplinary process then you have a right to see one. If you dont have a work rep to help you then especially due to your condition you can bring outside help to attend any formal meetings. (Always good to have a witness). If there is a union join it now..... they cant help once you are in discussions.... they have to be involved at the start.

 

As andydubb said above get everything in writing. Also keep notes of any verbal 'threats' your manager makes if you feel its personal as his actions may need to be reported higher up if possible especially if you need to defend any negative outcome.

Good luck.

[Beerfixer]

Thank you all for your advice. However, the manager had already made his decision before the meeting. There was already a new starter shown on our staff board this morning even though we had full capacity of staff! Was left with no transport 50 miles from home as they toulk my van away from me there and then and all I wa told to do was get a Taxi! Even tried to take the work uniform I was standing in from me!

 

As they say, every cloud has a silver lining. Just going to have to find another job as quick as I can.