Hours finally cut

shifty_uk

shifty_uk

shifty_uk

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Not to bore anyway but I've been having an incredibly hard time lately, money wise as I've just finished second year at Uni. Obviously this means no more grant/loan payments to help out on top of my part-time job.

Today however I was pulled into my managers office and told simply this: Either you leave now and I make finding a job hell for you and refuse any references or you take a cut in hours to exactly 4 per week. Yes, 4 hours! Being in my position, I couldn't walk out, I had to stay :(

Any words of advice? I can't make any complaints as I'm basically being pinned for lack of targets being met as I'm left to run the store every Sunday(despite only being a sales person on basic wage) and 2 days of absence - which was a first.

Just needed to rant guys, as many of you have previously. :) Quite an upsetting day, frankly.

Btw, following my "CV Gimmicks" thread, here:
http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18013750&
I've had no success. I know people were interested in seeing the CV for some pointers so if anyone still fancies it, grab me on instant messenger or email as some feedback would be fantastic, which I'd obviously also give in return. :)

edit: Oh yeah, hours were actually cut due to the store failing financially however everything has been pinned on me with regards to targets etc should I retaliate.
 
Rroff said:
Leave.
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I'd have no reference and I can't afford to? :( I'll have to cancel my car insurance and essentially lose my car unless I found something within 2 weeks.

I am however going to dedicate every minute from now to finding a new job, which with my experience shouldn't be hard. I've just not been putting in the effort.
 
Why would they refuse a reference - and technically you make made do without a written reference - if you give any prospective employer your current employers number they cannot lie if called up and asked about you
 
I didn't mean literally right now - tho that would be nice.

But first possible opportunity... if you have decent experience/qualifications and make a good impression in the interview a good number of companies don't even bother with references any how... I know we rarely do unless we are undecided... we just kick em out in the trial period if theres any problems :D
 
I'm pretty sure it's against the law for him to give a bad reference: the most he can do is not give one at all.

Start applying for other jobs now. Do not stay there. Do you not have anyone else you can use as a reference? Is there not anyone you can report this person to?
 
Nix said:
I'm pretty sure it's against the law for him to give a bad reference: the most he can do is not give one at all.

Start applying for other jobs now. Do not stay there. Do you not have anyone else you can use as a reference? Is there not anyone you can report this person to?
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They can give a bad ref but not lie
 
bum said:
Can you complain of your manager's act to higher management?
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I could but she presented a pretty bad case against me. I've worked there for 2 years, I initially ran departments and overseen back of house amoungst other things but had to go part-time as I returned to Uni. Now, apparently my lack of communication during my 2 days absence, my 5 minutes of lateness this week and my lack of targets, despite running a shop floor on my own(which I shouldn't be doing) are being held accounted for.

I also have a new brand manager who got the job through being very well connected within the company. It's their word against mine.
 
Nix said:
I'm pretty sure it's against the law for him to give a bad reference: the most he can do is not give one at all.

Start applying for other jobs now. Do not stay there. Do you not have anyone else you can use as a reference? Is there not anyone you can report this person to?
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I have an excellent reference from the director of the design agency I spent 2 years interning at. Why I left that life behind and took work in retail I don't know!
 
Nix said:
But surely this is skirting murky issues such as slander, etc.?
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Nope, a prospective employer could ask about attendance, sickness, etc and the ex employer has every right to be truthfull , so if you're a slacker then oops :p
 
Swifty55 said:
Employers cannot refuse a reference.
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She basically said that she "would make finding a job hell and refuse references" which to me means she'll either refuse, which fair enough if she can't or give me the most abysmal reference which I frankly do not deserve as I've bent over backwards time and time again.

Btw, my msn messenger address and email is in my trust if anyone wants to discuss work, CVs etc. :)

Oh and I'm certainly not a slacker, as I'm the only person in the store on a Sunday I'm being blamed for the stores overall targets and performance should I leave or retaliate.
 
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To be honest I'd get out as soon as possible. Working in retail is bad enough but working in retail with management like that is like hell. The only thing that makes retail work enjoyable is the colleagues you have around you, if you have to suffer crap like that off the people in charge then just get out as soon as you can.
 
JBuk said:
They can give a bad ref but not lie
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shifty_uk said:
I have an excellent reference from the director of the design agency I spent 2 years interning at. Why I left that life behind and took work in retail I don't know!
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Then use that as one of the references.

You could - just throwing this idea out there - potentially leave your current place of work and cite 'personal reasons'. Milk it a bit so that the company actually believes you and it's unrelated to current circumstances - that way you should get a reference out of it.

If not, check direct.gov and see if there is any advice floating around there. The worst thing you can do with these people is refuse to stand your ground as they're banking on the fact that you won't.

Either way, you're looking at finding alternative work ASAP. The easiest scenario for you would probably be to accept their offer, find alternative work and leave on their 'terms'. Of course, that would mean they've effectively bullied you out of your job which might just be exactly what they want.
 
shifty_uk said:
She basically said that she "would make finding a job hell and refuse references" which to me means she'll either refuse, which fair enough if she can't or give me the most abysmal reference which I frankly do not deserve as I've bent over backwards time and time again.

Btw, my msn messenger address and email is in my trust if anyone wants to discuss work, CVs etc. :)

Oh and I'm certainly not a slacker, as I'm the only person in the store on a Sunday I'm being blamed for the stores overall targets and performance should I leave or retaliate.
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In your next application or interview, just explain that the reson why you left your previous employer was because your manager had personal problems with you, and then quote them wha she had said to you.

I wouldn't worry about it too much, I know loads of people who have got jobs with no references.

But If I was you, I'd either take it further up the chain of command, or call her everything under the sun and leave.
 
Cover his/hercar in T-Cut tbh

Leave the place whilst phoning in sick and get a new job don't even bother asking for a reference.

Isnt it illegal to give a "bad" reference but not a truthfull
one?
 
I'm not entirely sure on this but I always thought an employer can make you to reduce your hours but they need to give you 12 weeks notice of this.
 
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