Unjust Dismissal?
I joined this company as a senior leader in February with the aim of establishing a U.S. entity. My background is heavily rooted in the U.S. market.
Over the last 10 months, I successfully onboarded clients and became the second-highest biller in the company. However, the last quarter was particularly challenging for the U.S. renewables market, leading to a significant decrease in billings. I was informed of my dismissal, with the reasoning that the market is unsustainable for the business and that we might not see any results in the next 3-6 months.
I was never placed on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) nor given any advance notice about this decision. To make matters worse, I received this news via a Teams call, even though we were scheduled to meet in the office the following day. Is this truly a fair dismissal?
Edit:
- Hired in the UK (London) for a permanent position
- Working remotely in the U.S. market
- Came to the UK on a Tier 2 Skilled Worker Visa
RCadmin
I’m sorry to hear about your situation; it sounds incredibly challenging. Whether your dismissal is considered “unfair” depends on various factors, especially given your employment in the UK but working in a different market.
In the UK, for a dismissal to be considered fair, employers typically need to demonstrate a valid reason related to conduct, capability, redundancy, or other substantial reasons. Given that you’ve performed well and were only let go due to market conditions, you might have grounds to challenge the dismissal, particularly since you weren’t put on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) or given prior warnings.
Additionally, the method of your dismissal—over a Teams call rather than in-person—might raise questions about the fairness and professionalism of the process.
Since you were hired under a Tier 2 Skilled Worker Visa, there may also be immigration implications to consider. I recommend seeking advice from a legal professional or an employment rights organization to fully understand your rights and the options available to you. They can offer guidance tailored to your specific circumstances and help you navigate the situation effectively.