I’m looking for some clarification and pointers on a matter relating to dismissal.

A friend returned from a 3 day recruitment course to be told by her boss that she was being let go, that she would be paid 1 month in lieu of notice, and that her termination would be entered as a resignation on her records as this would be better for her for future references. Her boss suggested she go home there and then. This friend, being somewhat upset, went home in tears. She has about 7 months service with the employer. This occurred in early December. Within 2 days of this happening she wrote to her boss and stated that as she hadn’t actually resigned, had no intention of doing so, and hadn’t been dismissed or was the subject of disciplinary action, was she being made redundant and could this be clarified as it maight affect access to any benefits etc. She had no warning or notice this was going to happen, and her now ex-boss has since written to say that my friend resigned verbally and her position has since been filled – all in the space of less than 2 weeks.

This smells dodgy to me, though I am no expert. Can anybody advise what my friend can and/or should do in finding out if this is some kind of unlawful dismissal – who should she talk to, where and how? Are the Citizens Advice any use here? Does this situation fall under the new regulations regarding dismissal and disciplinary procedures etc?

Many thanks in advance.

Kind regards

Martin Schmalenbach
Martin Schmalenbach