Should I quit or wait to get fired?

[StageD]

Hi all, I started a new job about 4/5 weeks ago but it isn't going well. Its very timed and speed focused and I just CANT get to the speed they want/need their employees to achieve. Other trainees are managing this. I can't see how I can improve myself anymore (it's a physical job and I get the feeling that my previous 5 year desk job hasn't aided me in moving to this kind of situation) so feel like dismissal is going to be inevitable.

 

What I'd like to get an opinion of is whether I should quit or should I wait to be dismissed. I'm very tempted to 'just' quit as it's really stressing me out constantly worrying about time targets and if I'm getting it wrong, and why I'm so bad etc, and dreading the next day at work.

 

Money isn't a (major) issue as my husbands wage is supporting us adequately at the moment, but I would be looking to go back on JSA(Contribution) and also need to consider how it would look on my CV in the future. Is it better to look like I took responsibility myself and quit a job before they had to fire me, or to let them fire me and let future employers know?

 

Thanks in advance

StageD

[honeybee13]

Hello there.

 

Generally the advice here is not to quit, but I can see it might be different for you. The guys should be along later.

 

Can I ask if there is any threat of disciplinary action at the moment please?

 

My best, HB

[StageD]

Hi there, no threat of Disciplinary at all, I'm still in a 3 month training period. I simply cannot reach the level of speed they require me to be at for this far into my training, and the manager has said to me in the last couple of days if there's no improvement then they'll have to let me go. I know my own 'limitations' though and don't feel that I can reach their speed targets in and reasonable amount of time

[honeybee13]

Thank for that, I can see your dilemma.

 

The guys should be along later.

 

HB

[Emmzzi]

Hi,

 

I'm sorry it isn't working out - no one's fault, sometimes there just isn't a match.

 

if you want to claim JSA I think you would be facing a sanction by resigning. You may also face a sanction by being dismissed, it depends what the reason they give is.

 

Are they friendly enough that you could have a conversation abput aybe ending your probation for another reason?

 

I'd also check with the benefits guys about the impact of a break in unemployment on your JSA. How long were you claiming for before?

[StageD]

Hi Emmzzi, like you say, sometimes things just don't work out and noone is to blame. I did think that resigning would potentially cause issues, but I didn't realise that if they sacked me it could too. That's worrying.

 

They are friendly, though I've had little chance to form any friendly relationships as I've been so focused on trying harder, and the Manager was unfortunately not there for about 2/3 weeks so I had little chance to get a sense of their temperament though it does seem friendly, when I'm not panicking about how they'll react to things. If I was to go this route though what 'other reason' might be acceptable? Would not being suitable for a job not be? (acceptable that is)

 

I was claiming JSA for almost exactly 3 months (give or take a couple of days) on Contribution based so have another 3 months I believe.

[Emmzzi]

I would check that with someone who knows more about benefits than me. If I had an employee in your position who asked about a "mutual parting of the ways" I'd be happy to dismiss them for "not working out" versus "performance issues" and when DWP asked say they tried really hard! Ultimately the JC decide but you can improve your chances.

[steampowered]

I don't think five weeks is enough time. If the training period is three months the employer must think it takes three months for new starters to get up to speed. Right now other trainees might be doing better than you but there is nothing wrong with being a late developer. I would do your best and stick it out for the three months. If you still feel like this at the end of the training period then you have more information to reach a proper decision. Management are unlikely to just sack you out of the blue, especially if you are still a trainee, it is more likely they would approach you informally to explain their concerns or perhaps hold a formal meeting to discuss your performance.

 

If you are genuinely sure this will not work out then of course start looking for other jobs. However I would stay in this job for now. I do not think it looks good on the CV to quit a job after only a few weeks (indeed I would probably leave a very short job off the CV), sticking it out for the full training period would be a better story to tell future employers.

 

I have sympathy. I was pretty rubbish at my job for the first few months when I was a trainee. I would often make really stupid mistakes which had to be corrected by more senior members of staff. Fast forward six months and I was a good performer, fast forward a few years and I think I am one of the best performers. I have been at the same employer the whole time.

 

Please correct me if I'm wrong, I am no expert on benefits, but I thought that if you voluntarily leave a job you cannot claim the full amount of JSA? Do check this before making any rash decisions.

Edited March 27, 2013 by steampowered

[StageD]

I totally agree with you Steampowered, 5 weeks in a 3 month training? 'You're in training, of course you're going to need all that time to get up to speed'. I've been telling myself this for weeks (I've obviously been worrying for a while) but it's not a case of I've got no basis for my worries, the Manager has said to me both today and yesterday that I have to speed up or they wont be able to keep me. I'd love to think I could stick it out the whole 3 months, but that just isn't the case. It's not out of the blue so much as I've had two 'warnings' about it already.

 

As for the benefits side there are some circumstances where they will let you (such as moving across the country as I did in November), although I think you have to be eligible for Contribution based, but that might be wrong and you can get Income Based if needed.

[assisted blonde]

I think you should speak to your manager or HR also have a word with your jobcentre, you said that money wasnt a major issue at the moment so if you are sanctioned for a while could you manage? just to say I do disagree with a couple of posters in that if you are not up to speed and your manager has already said that he has concerns, maybe this isnt the job for you and you would be better to go now rather than waste their time and your time in continuing in somthing that dosnt look like it is going to work. If you go the company may be able to offer your job to someone more suited.

[StageD]

Hey Assisted Blonde, if I were sanctioned for a while... it would depend on how long. Short term it would be fine, we could last a month on our current money situation if my husbands work dried up, he's been working for a company through an agency atm with a big promise of a full job at the end of it, however he's heard today his hours may get cut shortly and we're a bit in limbo because of it now :-\ (found this out since first posting earlier). But then again, if I get the news in a couple of days that they're going to let me go, its going to be a bit of a moot point, I'll have to deal with whatever happens

 

I feel the same way as you in that I want to stop wasting their time (and mine tbh) and, like you say, they can start training someone else more suitable.

[assisted blonde]

I have no idea how long sanctions last but it might be an idea to ring the job centre and ask the question that if you are not able to do the job and have to leave/get sacked what will happen

[san_d]

My opinion is always that if you don't like the job the honest thing is to quit and face the consequences, rather than pushing your employer to get rid of you.

[altobelli]

I think most of the advice given here is sound, so I can't really add much further. I suppose the ideal solution would be to find another job prior to leaving this one, that would probably be the best option.

 

Other than that, I think dialogue is important. Speak to the manager and ask if there is any training available which would help you to improve, if this is possible (I appreciate this is a case where it might just not be possible for you to do the job) and maybe speak to the job centre to explain your situation, and perhaps let your employer know that you've done this.