British Expats - Got Fired!

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- Moving back or to the UK (https://britishexpats.com/forum/moving-back-uk-61/)

- - Got Fired! (https://britishexpats.com/forum/moving-back-uk-61/got-fired-770201/)

Got fired yesterday, all because I have to take time off because my wife is having our first child and I need to go overseas to be with her etc. I gave them 5 weeks notice.

Instant dismissal, no notice just escorted off the premises! :confused:

Shell shocked I am.

Panhandle, I'm sorry to hear this. I've had a few friends in US who when they were let go were immediately escorted out of building. Callous..I wish you well.

What a bugger! Some employers should never employ people! Hope you can sort out something and get yourself home for your new arrival

Awful. Are you in the UK I didn't that sort of this was allowed, maybe I'm wrong!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mummy in the foothills (Post 10259034)

Awful. Are you in the UK I didn't that sort of this was allowed, maybe I'm wrong!

According to a previous thread the OP has been working through an agency for a few months, so immediate dismissal is very possible. Quite a few companies probably wouldn't appreciate a fairly new worker, particularly agency, to be taking time off to go overseas for an unclear amount of time (e.g. if extra time is required to be there for whatever reason).

Possibly would have been better for your wife to have applied for the visa and both of you move over to the UK together.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Panhandle (Post 10258308)

With the greatest of respect why are are shell shocked.

You you are working via an agency so are not a full time,permanent member of staff. Therefore you have none of the work privileges afforded to full time staff.

You also mentioned in previous posts that you were returning overseas for your wife's pregnancy and to help with that for some time

There is no obligation for the company to hold your job open for you.

With no job to go back to in the UK how do you intend to fulfill the financial requirements for a spouse visa now?

Thankyou for all your nice replies.

Perhaps I should give you all a bit more detail: Yes I did work for the agency for a period of 3 months but after 3 months the company that hired me via the agency offered me a full time position, so I resigned from the agency to be reemployed with the company I temped for for 3 months.
I did this because I would receive a substantial pay rise etc. I realized at that time that if I told them about my upcoming absence that they would probably not keep this position open to me, but I worked hard, never late, never a day off, what I was doing was making an impression, hoping that they would consider me for a future post.
When I did tell them they were not happy! But they did say that I could work the final 5 weeks before my departure and if there was a position with the company when I returned then I should apply.
Then they asked me to write a letter of resignation within the hour, this was late Friday afternoon, I asked if I could have the weekend to do this and give me a chance to talk to my wife about this.
One hour later I was called into the office and told that they had had a meeting and decided that they didnt really need me anyway and I must collect my things and go!
I hardly had a chance to say goodbye to anybody, I was off the premises within 10 minutes.
My family say I should not of told them until perhaps the last week etc, but I told them 5 weeks prior so they would have a good chance to replace me, I thought you were required to give 4 weeks notice anyway.

They the bosses etc seemed so nice, always a smile, a hello, always a good atmosphere, can not understand how it could have gone so brutal :confused:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Panhandle (Post 10259690)

First of all sorry to hear your predicament Panhandle. However, I cannot pretend to be surprised. Corporate loyalty is a thing of the past. It truly is a dog eat dog world and nowhere exemplifies that more than the good old USA.

I have personally seen this attitude time and time again in the last 15 years. Culminating in one workplace where if I say so myself, I was quite highly thought of I was asked one day why I did not decorate my office with the usual 'tat' - you know photos, keepsakes etc. Exercising my to quick tongue I said well if I wake up tomorrow and decide I don't need to come in I have no reason to do so. Boom Boom as the old fox used to say!! Funnily enough I stayeded there another 2 years before moving voluntarily and amicably but the truth is they don't care. Or at least very few places and people do anymore. Good luck:fingerscrossed:

PS I used to think the Brits had the edge on falseness - but Americans take it to a new art form. They can smile and be nice one moment and the next ....just look at Mittens earlier this week.

I am so sorry! I know with a new baby on the way it must be very hard. I wish you all the best and hope that you will be able to get gainful employment in the near future :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by vikingsail (Post 10260341)

You just never know whats around the corner, there are some really rotten people in this world, not even a thought that I have bills to pay etc, or I may be supporting others with my salary, just plain nasty :frown:

Im still waiting for my p45, and a letter explaining why they fired me!
Im off to the jobcentre tomorrow to find out if all this was above board.

Although I dont agree with many of these human rights laws etc that have been forced down our throats, I sure wish I had some means to get there arses kicked because I did not deserve to be treated some callously.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Panhandle (Post 10263707)

I sure wish I had some means to get there arses kicked because I did not deserve to be treated some callously.

You accepted a permanent position after working as a temp, even though you knew you wouldn't be able to fulfil that role as you were intending on leaving the country within weeks for a considerable amount of time.

From the perspective of the company you could come across as untrustworthy, as it is something that really should have been mentioned ideally when first employed by the agency, or at the latest when the company offered you a permanent position.

As suggested before, it would have been better for your wife to have applied for the visa and both of you move over to the UK together. You were looking into it the visa over a year ago.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Panhandle (Post 10259690)

can not understand how it could have gone so brutal :confused:

Try not to take it personally... its just how business is done this side of the Atlantic.

In my previous job I had nothing but positive 6 monthly revues for nearly 3 years, then out of the blue "Its not working out"... cardboard box, walked out in 10 mins. It is traumatic, but my experience with that employer was far from unique. Mind you, when I handed in my notice with my UK employer after my work permit in Canada was approved I was out of there in 2 hours, so not much better. Made no sense, I pity the poor guy who had to take over, but thats the way they chose to handle it.

Dont let it get to you, and good luck with the future.

Quote:

Originally Posted by iaink (Post 10264048)

Try not to take it personally... its just how business is done this side of the Atlantic.

The OP is in the UK, and previously lived in Australia (where presumably his pregnant wife currently is).

Panhandle don't let it get to you I like Iaink's advice - seems to be the way to go.

Don't let the B... d get you down etc.