After a harrowing six months of working with my former boss, I left on good terms. I had many regrets. However, the greatest one was not sending this text:
Hi,
Just in response to our discussion the other day. I am really sorry but I have been thinking about the points you mentioned and I disagree with a lot of them. I just wanted to voice my side of things because I think it’s important to share my perspective and clarify things on my side.
Firstly, I remember you had mentioned my lack of experience. I’d like to begin by mentioning that the role was a kickstart job, meaning the employer should not have expected the employee to have any prior experience. Although I can accept that my Microsoft Excel skills were not up to scratch, this was an area of development for me and I wanted to develop these skills at your company hence it being called a ‘kickstart job’ meaning that you as an employer provide me with the training that I need to progress in my career. That’s the whole aim of the scheme – to allow young people to become employable by allowing them to develop their skillset.
When I started employment I made it very clear that I was studying a masters course meaning there was a certain day (Friday) that I would not be available under any circumstances as my education was my first priority. For the first month, I even worked through the days without having an allocated lunch break, only being offered this a couple of weeks later. So absolutely under no circumstance should you be saying that I did not take my role seriously.
I am not going to say that I did not enjoy the job because I did enjoy the research elements as I had mentioned to you on the phone and I also appreciate the knowledge that you have given me, particularly around working with excel so thank you for this. But this was a requirement from you as an employer as my work coach would regularly ask me whether I am receiving training at the job. At the time I was struggling and needed a job desperately which is why I held on and kept waiting to receive allocated training from you but this did not happen. I even mentioned that I wanted to be trained on accounts and you agreed to train me but did not follow up with this. I did not mention that I needed to take off time to focus on my masters so that is untrue. However I had been offered another kickstart job which had an allocated day for training, which is probably why I assumed that your company would also have a similar plan for me. If I knew I wouldn’t have been trained then I would have taken the other job, but by the time I realised the position had been filled.
In regards to my comments around flexibility, I remember mentioning this at interview stage and you and your colleague had agreed that you can work around hours so I am not sure why you brought this up as a concern to me. I asked to finish at 3pm which was because I had a lot of work to complete for my masters and this had been a request, not something that I expected.
Regarding my mother, as you said you were shocked that I had taken time off to support her. But she had attempted suicide and I don’t know on which planet any employee would be expected to work whilst knowing that their loved one is in hospital, dying. This isn’t just about professionalism. It’s basic morals and human rights. Something that I felt wasn’t a priority at your company. Hence your comment about being shocked that I was up all night and needed to rest was particularly insensitive. As an employer it is your job to be understanding of others and that we have individual differences in our lives. What is possible to accomplish for yourself, such as working without being adequately rested, may not be possible for me.
In regards to your other comment, I have never said that I want to take a day off to keep my mum company so that is outrightly false. If I feared for her safety, then yes I would have taken a day off work to protect her. I am very sorry but I only have one mother and your approach was anything but sympathetic towards me or my circumstances.
Please do not interpret any of this as me being defensive. I am only explaining the way I have been treated/made to feel whilst working at your company. I am not a robot. I am a human being with feelings and have a life outside of work. This does not mean that I do not take work seriously or lack professionalism, but I certainly don’t prioritise it over relationships and family.
Going forward, I am sorry but I do not wish to be contacted on the phone by yourself in the future as I do not appreciate being spoken to in a condescending manner.
On a last note – please treat people like they are people, not machines. For upto three months after working at your company, I developed symptoms of PTSD as a result of the way I had been treated and was reluctant to enter employment again for this very reason. The other day when you called me and spoke to me in the same manner, I remembered once again how I had felt whilst working for you.
Apologies if any part of this email offends you but the take home message is to understand that when an employee feels appreciated and valued at work, they will 100% do more for your company.
I wish you and your company all the best.
Kind regards,
Ex employee