Job problems - anxiety - any advice please

Go back, kick the door open, say “I’m the fcukin big man round here now, I want 50% of the company and a £100k pay rise! And if anyone has a problem with it then let’s step outside and sort it now!”

On a serious note, I couldn’t provide any advice better than which you have been provided with so good luck with it all Marty 👍
Love this mate. Haaaa. Will you come with me? Ha
 
Unfortunately with you only being there six months you dont have many options. That being said you can get a good outcome for yourself.

I would do what Borofur has said above... But i would go one further. Do not engage with the manager at all, Email the HR team and raise a grievence. Advise them of everything that has happened and ask for further clarification as to the sudden turn around in just two weeks.

Explain that the work plan for the next four weeks is unachievable and designed for you to fail giving them the reasons why

tell them you have no support, mentor or confidence in your line manager.

Tell them that you feel bullied and it is affecting your mental health.

then wait and see what they say...

once they come back to you, you can start talking money and references to leave on your terms
Great advice mate. Thanks so much for taking the time to help me
 
Unfortunately with you only being there six months you dont have many options. That being said you can get a good outcome for yourself.

I would do what Borofur has said above... But i would go one further. Do not engage with the manager at all, Email the HR team and raise a grievence. Advise them of everything that has happened and ask for further clarification as to the sudden turn around in just two weeks.

Explain that the work plan for the next four weeks is unachievable and designed for you to fail giving them the reasons why

tell them you have no support, mentor or confidence in your line manager.

Tell them that you feel bullied and it is affecting your mental health.

then wait and see what they say...

once they come back to you, you can start talking money and references to leave on your terms
Thanks for your advice mate. Really helps
 
I'm sure it has already been mentioned, but as you have less than 2 years service I think the only protection you have is on grounds of discrimination.
https://www.gov.uk/discrimination-your-rights
Previous action plans and reviews are pretty much irrelevant I'm afraid.

As well as the Citizen's Advice Bureau, ACAS are also very good and might be able to offer advice: https://www.acas.org.uk/dismissals

This is also an informative link: https://www.monacosolicitors.co.uk/unfair-dismissal/two-year-employment-threshold-matters

Good luck.
Wow. Can’t believe you took the time to provide all of that info. Thank you so so much. Huge huge help
 
I am probably repeating what has already been said/advised.

1/ A Performance Improvement Plan should never be a surprise. Normally, an initial concern would be raised - one to give you chance to respond or to acknowledge and agree it doesn't happen again etc etc. If issues continue to arise then and only then should a manager put forward a PIP. This should then be shared for you to review and question or ask for clarification on any points outlined or even dispute them. A PIP should also have a discussion on what will pass the PIP or what would be classed as a fail and then the potential next steps if that happened. It seems none of that has happened so you need to raise this with HR and as mentioned put pressure back on your manager by asking for the examples being used.

2/ They cannot dismiss/ignore what you shared in your health questionnaire/disclosure in your employment and they should have already being taken steps to ensure you are supported with regular check ins. Again this is something you need to flag to HR.

This sounds like a terrible place to work. To go from passing your probation and a pay rise to this with in a couple of weeks is really bizarre. You have said you do not want to go back and i don't think you ever could.

Get your 2 weeks initial sick note extended to at least a 4 weeks in total - Contact HR and cause them as much disruption as possible. Get everything in writing and provide this to HR.

In the meantime, use the 4 weeks to get out and get fresh air. Get logged on and get applying for jobs permanent and even contracting positions so you continue a regular income.

As devastating and tough as these situations are, often you find a much better role, with better people where you can succeed.

Keep us posted and take good care of yourself.
Thank you for being so kind
 
I am probably repeating what has already been said/advised.

1/ A Performance Improvement Plan should never be a surprise. Normally, an initial concern would be raised - one to give you chance to respond or to acknowledge and agree it doesn't happen again etc etc. If issues continue to arise then and only then should a manager put forward a PIP. This should then be shared for you to review and question or ask for clarification on any points outlined or even dispute them. A PIP should also have a discussion on what will pass the PIP or what would be classed as a fail and then the potential next steps if that happened. It seems none of that has happened so you need to raise this with HR and as mentioned put pressure back on your manager by asking for the examples being used.

2/ They cannot dismiss/ignore what you shared in your health questionnaire/disclosure in your employment and they should have already being taken steps to ensure you are supported with regular check ins. Again this is something you need to flag to HR.

This sounds like a terrible place to work. To go from passing your probation and a pay rise to this with in a couple of weeks is really bizarre. You have said you do not want to go back and i don't think you ever could.

Get your 2 weeks initial sick note extended to at least a 4 weeks in total - Contact HR and cause them as much disruption as possible. Get everything in writing and provide this to HR.

In the meantime, use the 4 weeks to get out and get fresh air. Get logged on and get applying for jobs permanent and even contracting positions so you continue a regular income.

As devastating and tough as these situations are, often you find a much better role, with better people where you can succeed.

Keep us posted and take good care of yourself.
Thank you KDG
 
If you have decided that this is the end with this company, then now is the time to start making some rses tighten, whilst your on the sick.

Make all your contacts with the HR department, not with your manager. Then when they start asking him for information and documents he will be able to start worrying about why they want them.

Ask for a copy of the companies grievance procedure, disability policy and performance management policy and procedure.

Also ask for copy of your personal file and any documentation or correspondence relevant or relating to you.
You do not need to say why you want the documentation, other than you have a legal right to it.
Once you get this you can see who has been making the complaints etc. it should also contain records of your probation review, proving ypu were performing appropriately. It will also have a copy of your application and details of your health problems, if you haven't kept a copy.

If none of this is there, then get back to HR and ask where it is.

As somebody else said make sure every contact that you have is in writing, and keep a diary of everything that you do.

Good luck
Thank you buddy
 
Sorry to hear this Marty.

Not a lot I can add as there is already a load of good advice posted previously.

Been in this situation myself a few years back. Three month review was excellent, no problems. However job I was working on started to go to sh*t (not my fault at all) but my manager (who was at fault for a lot of issues but was too busy climbing the greasy corporate pole) needed someone to pin it on to save his own ar*e......me.

Things came to a head when he asked me to grab a coffee and have a chat through the job......instead he started to pull me, my work, management capabilities apart. C*nt - time to get out.

So, couple of interviews later was offered another job fairly quickly - wasn't ideal, but needed to jump before being pushed.

Wrote a nice email to HR informing them of my mental health problems and how this had triggered things and ...nothing (HR were useless). Doctor's note for a week which didn't go down well. Fate sealed.

I knew I had something sorted, but was waiting, waiting for the formal offer to come through....tooke a while.

So, was called to my 6 month appraisal with my boss......and HR. So, walked in knowing full well this was either going to be the start of disciplinary procedures, or formal notice. So when they started I just said "can I stop you there, I've got another job, I'm leaving, I'll formally hand my notice in now. Thanks" and walked out of the meeting. Look of complete disbelief on both of their faces was lovely.

If I see my old boss again it's going to be very difficult not to f*cking smack him one, the slimy c*nt.

So anyhow, stay strong, you will get out of this s***y situation - but use every trick you can - mental health, doctors notes, raise formal grievance etc to buy some time. Do everything you can to sort yourself out.

Good luck👍
Thanks for taking the time to help me mate. Everyone is so kind
 
I'm being cynical here but ideally you need to engineer a situation here where they pay you to leave (more than the statutory notice period) and provide you with a good reference for your next employer. At the same time you need to use this sick leave period (and any extension to it) to absolutely look after yourself!

My advice would be to engage with the HR Dept. only, not your line manager or area manager or anyone like that. Even register a grievance, as long as it doesn't increase your anxiety.

I don't think you're going back there so you need to get as much out of them as possible.

All the best mate and keep your chin up!
Thank you bud.
 
Sorry to hear about your situation, it happens to many of us, myself included.

If you have a history of anxiety/ stress/ depression you have to find a way to work with these conditions.
I think you said that you are in charge of a department, and therefore people. You also say that you are working long hours doing everything. You need to realise that your resources are finite and therefore plan to what you can reasonable do, and also delegate to your team. as a senior manager I would want to see that the projects/tasks are being managed and prioritised accordingly.

Informing your employers of your mental health issues is the right thing to do, however in my opinion, you can not expect them to manage your health. They need to respond, if you tell them that you are struggling, but the ownership of the situation is yours. If things are becoming difficult then you need to raise the issue, I appreciate that this is easier said than done when you are struggling.

When I have been in this situation I find it very easy to personalise all of the issues around me. This shows the kind of person that you are, however you may need to push this away from yourself and stop the feelings of persecution. The personalising of the issues is often the feeling of spiralling into further mental health issues. The best thing is to stop the decent as soon as you can.

Advice has been given above about exercise, meeting friends and family and finding the key to enjoying life. It is important that you document the activities that you are doing to proactively manage your situation. Staying in bed, alcohol/ drugs or other destructive behaviours are not your friends in this situation. If you do make a claim for constructive dismissal, this type of document will count in your favour.

Working in marketing you should know how to publicise your situation. If the company does terminate your contract, make sure that you do not sign a gagging clause. Use the opportunity to tell the world, suppliers and customers the bad way that you have been treated, you do not have to name the company, but you can make some damage to their brand image.

I hope that these points may help you in some way, if not now but maybe in the future.
Amazing help. Thank you so much
 
I'm sure you're aware Marty but you're looking to exit now with the best outcome for yourself. By all means log everything but be clear that this is to get a good exit - you can't go back to that.

You're cards have been marked unfortunately and I wouldn't waste too much of your stress on a company like that mate.

I would follow the advice above but personally would have a conversation with HR that says, look its clear that you want me out. Let's settle this amicably and agree to part ways with you getting say two months pay.

They won't want the hassle of you digging in. Presumably you don't want the stress of a protracted battle with them.

Best of luck mate
Thanks buddy. Thank you for taking time out to help me.
 
All of the advice you've been given is absolutely sound, even the kicking the door down advice. All I would add, is if necessary extend your sick note for as long as you can, you may as well get as much money from them as you can and also don't ever go into a meeting by yourself. Very best of luck.
 
Glad your getting sorted mate, This manager sounds like a right clown so hopefully he now knows you're not to be messed with.
 
All of the advice you've been given is absolutely sound, even the kicking the door down advice. All I would add, is if necessary extend your sick note for as long as you can, you may as well get as much money from them as you can and also don't ever go into a meeting by yourself. Very best of luck.
Good point about not going into a meeting by yourself. Happened to me, the lure of a friendly "chat" turned into a manager having a right go at me, writing everything down afterwards and passing over to HR......which then became "......this meeting you had". Which was also full of complete bollox about me and my performance. Started the process for disciplinary/dismissal. So make sure you always have someone there👍
 
Thanks Linny. I’m just so pleased I posted it. The help I have received is incredible. You never forget times like this and I’ll be forever grateful to the kind, genuine and caring people on here.

I want everyone on here to know if they ever need to talk, or need help please reach out to me.

Mate, we need to look out for each other. Life is hard enough without being kicked when you're down.

Always speak up and be heard pal. Best of luck to you
 
I e not read the whole thread so not sure if you’re sorted but I just want to add my tuppence worth..

been working away this week in glasgow on my own doing an install for the first time… my anxiety has been off the scale, things went wrong, customer asked lots of questions I didn’t know answers to, parts ordered didn’t turn up on time and I was quite lonely…

But, at the end of the day, other than it being midnight…. The instrument is installed and qualified, it works and the customer has had some limited familiarisation training ready for their full training… the documents were filled in and handed over and hopefully GMP compliant (if not, I’ll deal with it as any issues arise) and I’m now back home chilling reading the forum and watching tv and talking to family…

what I’m trying to say, work is only the limited time you are actually being paid for not any thing outside that Tim.. it’s still on my mind a bit like about what I will be doing tomorrow and next week but essentially it’s not important just now.. tomorrows Friday and then it’s match day..
im probably making it sound like it’s easy not to care when I know it isn’t, I’ve had days where I’ve dreaded waking up and going to work but I’m still here and alive and I’ve got a lot to look forward to…

i really do wish I could find a job I love, but until then, I’ll just keep on keeping on.. if it gets too bad, I will get another job or sell the house and move back home…(I’m not sure my missus will be too happy, she can go get the main pay job if she doesn’t want to lol)

last thing, keep smiling mate and I hope it all resolves it’s self..👍
 
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