have I just got myself fired?

[marco79]

Hi everyone. I work for a corporate, about 6 years now.

 

Twice I've been sent to college by company. Finished twice with the highest grade. I have good record at work with relation to overall performance (attendance, sick, always on time, never refused to do my job etc).

 

On Friday I've been approach by manager asking me to do some more hours to which I replied "no thanks". Minute later my colleague ask me why I am not interested in doing extra hours to which I replied "I have work my ass off for this company for the last 5 years, spent my free time on getting educated, when I could be sitting down the pub with my mates and now they are not interested in doing anything for me, so I am not staying any f****** minute longer".

 

What I did not know is that my manager was sneaking behind by back. So she approached my and ask to repeat what I said to which I replied it was a private conversation between good friends and has nothing to do with her. Obviously I've been asked to step into the office and had a chat with her about how unacceptable it is to say thing like that about company and that it is not true, that they invested many in me etc.

 

I said then "investment is something you care about, something you may want to make sure company will benefit from in the future and that during all that time I've been doing my HND certificate not even once anyone of them have come down and ask me how I am doing, is everything OK, not even mention college ended in June and they did not even asked my for a proof of final grade.

 

I also said that it is now time to get me into practical training before I loose what I learned at college, they know I am not after more money but simple chance to put in practice all my knowledge. I then said I believe my opinion is justified by their actions or lack of it and I have sound grounds to feel that way."

 

She was a bit shocked and said it is all for now, but I know I am gonna have to take b*******g on Tuesday when big boss is back and I am worry they may try to crucify me.

 

Can I start packing my staff on Monday guys? What Is the worst possible outcome out of this.

 

I just want to add that we (employees) have been slowly stripped from all our privileges like bonuses etc and overall morale is at its lowest ever been i.e. no one is willing to do any OT etc.

 

Thanks for any advice, cheers!

Edited October 7, 2012 by honeybee13
Editing in some spacing for ease of reading.

[LaughingGirl]

I know it's too late now, but you would have been far better off dialing down the attitude when you spoke to your manager in her office, rather than continuing to be confrontational. I'm not sure that they'll be able to find grounds for gross misconduct, but if I were you I'd be focusing on damage limitation at this point. At best, you've probably seriously impaired your relationship with your manager - regardless of your standard of work in the past, if I was managing an employee who had been paid to do an HND and then said that they'd have preferred to be down the pub with their mates, I'd be wondering if I'd chosen the right employee to invest in.

 

You could try writing a letter apologising for your attitude and recognising that the company have invested heavily in you over the last few years. If you feel that you have gained skills on your HND that could be utilised to their benefit, use the letter to constructively point out that you are committed to the company and would love the opportunity to put those skills to use. Try to politely put over the fact that you are a valuable asset to them, and would be very sorry if one out of character outburst were to damage your relationship with them.

[assisted blonde]

Probably not fired yet! but i would start looking for another job, if you have complaints about the way things are there is a proper and correct way to bring up your concerns, shooting off at the mouth isnt one of them. Anyway they have paid for you to do a course they dont have to ask how it was for you, and how did you do etc, they must have thought it was worth you doing but weather they use your new skills or not is up to them.

[marco79]

Probably not fired yet! but i would start looking for another job, if you have complaints about the way things are there is a proper and correct way to bring up your concerns, shooting off at the mouth isnt one of them. Anyway they have paid for you to do a course they dont have to ask how it was for you, and how did you do etc, they must have thought it was worth you doing but weather they use your new skills or not is up to them.

 

It does not bother me at all as I will be looking for something as soon as next year summer time, probably self employed as well. I just need to survive there till then. I've sign contract agreement and if I quit sooner I am eligible for all of the college costs and that is over 4k. TIMBER

[Emmzzi]

If you are dismissed you are still liable to repay fees usually.

 

The company have invested money and time in you - your response is shocking. I have people lining up for company sponsored education and competing for it.

 

I personally would be looking at a warning for attitude and language; and then I'd be watching you like a hawk for the first excuse to get you out.

 

That would change if I believed the apology i got after the weekend was in any way sincere.

 

That's just me, but I am probably typical of many.

[markl1987]

Some serious apologising, being very nice and explaining it was a one off . . . sounds like you've had a lot on recently and feel like you've not been supported but was it that one managers fault that you let rip at?

 

Dont know much about what will happen but a bit of a random question for you . . . Have you had some time off/holiday recently? I got like that in a previous job where i didnt take time off, put a lot of time in and it all got too much and lost it with a manager and shouted n swore. I didnt get sacked but told to take 2 weeks holiday and chill out that was pub work and dealing with people every day, not sure what your situation is but you sound overloaded and like you need a break

[LaughingGirl]

If you are dismissed you are still liable to repay fees usually.

 

The company have invested money and time in you - your response is shocking. I have people lining up for company sponsored education and competing for it.

 

I personally would be looking at a warning for attitude and language; and then I'd be watching you like a hawk for the first excuse to get you out.

 

That would change if I believed the apology i got after the weekend was in any way sincere.

 

That's just me, but I am probably typical of many.

 

Emmzzi makes a very good point, which I hadn't thought of...you could be liable for the fees if you're dismissed - you really need to check your contract of employment, to see if there is anything in there regarding dismissal and the repayment of fees, just in case.

 

If I'm honest, I can't disagree with anything else she's said, either.

[Pusillanimous]

Tell them you were uncharacteristically stressed out. Tell them how terribly grateful you are for all their support, and grovel and apologise like mad. It is not relevant you want to leave in summer; best keep that to yourself and remain respectful.

[markl1987]

Did you hear anything today?

[altobelli]

To be honest you've been a bit unlucky that your manager has heard you swearing while speaking to your colleague. What is the culture like in your office? Is swearing commonplace and accepted - does your manager swear in conversation (I don't mean at you, just in conversation)? Some of the points you made about the training are probably valid, and the suggestions you made about using your training were to benefit the company, but perhaps you could have chosen a better time to air them.

 

It is good that you stood up for yourself and expressed an opinion, the best way for the manager to deal with it would be to perhaps bring up the subject informally - 'are you feeling better/less stressed', something like that. Taking formal action against you for something like this is likely to do more harm than good, but they may try and discipline you.