There I was in a boring, uninspiring job with no career prospects but a steady income to pay the mortgage….and suddenly I have no job and no income but a ‘to do’ list as long as your arm of things I want to do.
Just over a week ago at work, everyone was called into a brief meeting to say that because some of the farms have been reduced, and the pig production had been reduced, then everyone who worked in an admin role in the head office should be aware that there were possible redundancies being made. It was a bit of a surprise to us all, and caused much speculation, naturally!
(I could immediately think of several people who wouldn’t be missed!) I was out for the rest of that day (having been volunteered to take a visiting Russian vet on a sightseeing tour of York), and then had booked a day off the following day (Friday 1st June).
I was feeling a little apprehensive over the weekend, but somehow didn’t think I would be affected (ever the optimist!). But in any event, I had co-incidentally already applied for a job in the legal department at the local Council a few weeks previously and my interview was Monday morning (4th June), so thought that may be a good backup plan, just in case.
I went along to the interview, and the job sounded more interesting than my current job, and with more prospects. I thought the interview went well and they were impressed with my CV and we got on well. Hopeful of being offered the job*, and on a bit of a ‘high,’ I went back to work only to be handed a letter to say I was one of those being considered for redundancy and I had an interview to discuss it on Thursday 7th at 1pm. Well blow me! Turns out, there were 14 people being considered, mostly farm staff, but also 3 people at the office, of which I was one. 4 out of 5 directors were away until Thursday, and for that week I was not asked to do any work of any real consequence, and no-one in the offices which surrounded mine spoke to me at all!! Surely they were relieved that their jobs were safe and maybe they were feeling sorry for me? Well, I don’t know because for whatever reason I became some sort of invisible non-person for the week. I spent my time looking up jobs on the internet, printing off application forms, and updating my CV.
Thursday came and I had my interview. The twat, sorry…interviewer, said that there was nothing that could be done to save my job and that I should expect a final letter soon. I was handed my letter on Friday lunchtime, and asked to leave at 4pm. I would be paid for my 4-week notice, plus a further 3 week’s redundancy money, and then that was it. No longer an ACMC employee. An ex-PA
(or should that be parrot?) I wiped any personal information from my computer, cleared my desk and drawers and left the pig farm on Friday 8th June 2007.
Of course, the story doesn’t necessarily end there, as I am staying in touch with the few people who I do get on with. We should be going for a farewell drink at the end of this week or next, and I’ll keep up to date with any gossip.
Also, a couple of months ago, I decided to research and prepare a company policy for ‘disciplinary and dismissal procedure’(blissfully unaware of my fate), which they clearly had not bothered to refer to. I had been involved with the dismissal procedure of a number of farm staff 6 months ago, and I know that in order to save money they had not taken proper legal advise, and relied on looking up stuff on the internet. I could see that they had done this again, despite my efforts of trying to help. However, my own research leads me to believe they had not followed the correct procedure, so I shall be calling a few helplines and considering my next move. I think a claim for ‘unfair dismissal’ may be in order……..!
In the meantime, it’s Monday morning, I’m not going off to work in some dull office, the sun is shining, I’ve just come back from a swim, I have 6 weeks to find a job (we’re away on holiday for a week), in which time I’m being paid to stay at home and do what I like. Life’s not so bad, is it?
* I’ve since heard that I didn’t get the job at the Council, but I was 2nd choice and they thought I had a great interview and an impressive CV !
Many of the lilies were blooming, and we were able to feed the incredibly inquisitive Koi carp, and - of course - have an ICE CREAM!
