Tossed out after agreeing to stay: Ask the Expert
Q. Five months ago, I turned down a better job offer after my manager begged me to stay on and promised to "take care of my career". A month later his attitude changed. He started excluding me from meetings. This has affected me badly. I emailed him about my worries, but he said I was being too emotional and decided that I should no longer work for him. He and HR are to discuss my promotion soon and I fear they will lay me off. Do I have a legal case?
A. It's a dangerous business trying to play one employer off against another, as you've discovered to your cost. Our first bit of advice is for the future: If you've made a decision to leave, stick to it. Don't be swayed into thinking things will suddenly improve at your existing employer, whatever the promises of a manager desperate not to lose you today. Chances are they won't.
For now, you have two options. Find another job or raise your boss's treatment of you with HR. If he's been behaving really badly you might have a legal case for constructive dismissal. Really though, who wants to sue their employer unless they have to? Much better to find another job and chalk this episode up to experience.
Linda Jackson of HR consultancy Fairplace says moving on is by far the best idea. "You're in a bit of a no-win situation. Find another job. The new year is a great time to be looking because there's always a lot of movement when bonuses have been paid."
Reader Comment
No, I don't think you have a legal case. It was your decision to turn down a better job offer. I don't think you went about addressing your concerns properly. You should have asked for a meeting with your boss and an HR person as a witness to discuss things through and hear his views.
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