Wife was sacked from job...is there anything she can do about this?

Peter M

Jono ~ a couple of things first ~ does she have a contract of employment? when she was taken on, was she told that she had a trial period of.... x number of weeks?

It's a law firm so they should know the rules as well as anyone ~ and they should have had an interview, and given her a verbal warning that she was wasting time, and it would not to tolerated ~ this should also have been put in writing.

You say that you don't want anyone saying CAB to you ~ but as an ex Chairman of CAB locally, I can tell you that you need professional advice from a legally trained person, and you will get it free with them ~ if you can't get them on the phone [and they are so busy] go to the nearest office, and make an appointment.

Novalee

I am from England too and I'm almost certain this isn't allowed.

I would try going into the citizens advice - they have offices in most towns.

It's unfair dismissal, and you need to take it to an employment tribunal, but you'd have to ask citizens advice about these I'm afraid! Short of getting a lawyer anyway.

And, hey, why not jump on the bandwagon - sue them. Seriously, everyone else is doing it, you might as well take advantage. You could afford the degree then as well.

Good luck x

Street Smart

Perhaps she can consult the union? She can find out what are her legal rights. In the meantime, be with her and show her your support. Also, be prepared to tighten your belt.

Cool Hal

I am not an expert and whilst your wife has no right to a tribunal as she has been there less than 1 year. It doesn't feel right.

I would telephone your local ACAS (number is in the book / on line)and they are easier to get hold of then CAB they are also the experts.

I would also check her contract and if the notice period is a month then she is entitled to a month from the date of dismissal (i.e. 13th December) If she works until 30th November and that takes her over 1 year then she has the rights of an tribunal.

Where I think it is strange is that she is being told that her work is not good enough yet the company are prepared to let her continue doing her job and therefore presumably making mistakes for the next two weeks. Again I would check her contract and the right to appeal a dismissal (I would be surprised if she doesn't have one) and formulate an appeal based on the fact that if her work was deemed to be so bad that it warranted a dismissal without warning how can she possibly be trusted to continue.

I have never heard of someone being sacked and being made to work their notice - it would be laughable if not serious.

Good luck

Jazzy

I would urge her to check the contract.
The Company should still follow the ACAS guidelines. This might well mean that it would take her over the 12 month timescale.
Regretably working for a law firm does not mean that they will be spot on in regard to their employment law.
IF you cannot get through to CAB, speak to ACAS. Unfortunately unless she has been a member of a union for a while, my experience is that they will not touch it.
In the meantime, get her to request a meeting, take notes and ask for specific details to support their decision.

focus

Firstly I suggest she asks for an interview with her boss so she can talk about the contents of the letter. After that it is difficult to suggest anything, especially as she has only been with the firm for less than one year.

AdelleStevens

Have a look round at specialist employment solicitors..some do work no-win-no-fee.
Fight fire with fire!

In the mean time she should serve her time out and do as little as possible at work,and gather as much evidence that she has been singled out for any future employment tribunal.

â™¥Bmx_Wifeyâ™¥

talk to the better business beuro.. spelled wrong but.. if they have one in UK.

FearieFire

I have seen the exact same thing happen, a woman lost her job as a doctor then she went to a different clinic and opened an ambulance company. I suggest you do something similar, go somewhere else to work, or take one of this woman's choices, move to a different country with better choices for a job.

potatoboy27

Short of suing that firm.

How bout goverment grants/ bursaries? unemployement benefits?

If you are brits there is not reason why you can't study.

Christy H

here's the dilly-o...she worked for a law firm...even if it is illegal chances of winning are slim to none. They know judges and ppl in the high places. What they'll do is just drag it out soooo long through the court system that it will bankrupt you. My suggestion is....have her serve her time until Nov 30th. Maybe she should have a sit down with the bosses and my plead her case a bit...ask them for a letter of recommendation and also maybe a month of severance b/c of the holidays and such. Hell, make them feel guilty for firing her over popularity reasons yah know.

Meh, you dealing with the coldest, most heartless and ruthless ppl on the face of this earth...lawyers. LOL good luck.

Dex

Maybe its as simple as what they put in the letter.

Furthermore, for misconduct (wasting time would probably count) you can be terminated without warning.

Its extremely unlikely that a law firm is going to do anything which leaves them open to action being taken against them.

She could try writing a letter to her employer appealing their decision, but shouldn't hold her breath.

An employee who hasn't been employed for a year has very few rights regarding unfair dismissal. Best for your wife to just move on. Its unusual for a company who have dismissed someone to require them to work their notice, but if they are asking her to do so and if she wants to get paid then she should.

If your wife's terms of employment state 1 month notice then she should place in writing that whilst she notes that the last day she is required to work is 30th November, her 1 month notice should mean that she will be paid up until 12th December and could they please clarify this.

For the best independent advice on this contact ACAS.

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