4 weeks ago I got a new job at a cleaning-company (cleaning people's houses). It was actually really great, I loved it, just getting to work on your own without having to deal with annoying people and getting to listen to music all day long. It was very well paid as well and I was looking forward to going to work every morning. A deal had been made, and I was hired full-time. Then went on a skiing-holiday for a couple days last week, and had of course checked this with the boss first who said it was fine that I left since the trip had been booked long before I got hired and it was all paid and stuff.
Got back home after the holiday and was greeted with a message that they'd found someone else to do my job and that I didn't have to come back. So got fired then and there, through a text, without any real reason or heads-up at all.
"We found another girl that we like better, nothing personal to you, just doing business" (who the hell even writes that!?)
So yeah, there I was, fuming with anger and seriously considering going over to her place and smash her car or something, since I know they legally can't do this. However, I just obliged and said fine, because I want to be sure I get my pay before causing any trouble.
The thing is, that they've broken about 6 laws by doing this. Mainly, I was a full-time employee meaning they have to give me at least 1 month of notice before firing me. During that time, I'm entitled to full pay even if I'm not given tasks to do. Secondly, employers are obliged to give legitimate reasons as to why you're getting fired (having found someone they like better is not legit). So what I can do right now is to tell them that the firing is invalid because it was done the wrong way and get my job back. Won't do that though, because there's no way in hell I'm going back there.
However, I can also tell them that I'm legally obliged to a month's full pay, and also damages for "pain and suffering caused by wrongful firing". Basically, due to them having acted the way they have, I'm entitled to about 2180 euros/2400 usd/20000 sek or more. Gonna try and solve this personally with the boss (who is a complete bitch), and if she doesn't agree I'll involve the Trade Union.
So I know they've done a lot of things wrong (also double-checked this with law-firms in town and online), but I don't know wether I should call them out on this right away and risk them not paying me for the 3 weeks I actually worked, which would lead to having to go to court and shit (stuff that I really don't have money for). I'm thinking right now that I'm just going to leave it, see if I get paid on the 25th of March (payday), and then inform them of the laws they've broken and what I expect of them. That way, even if that doesn't lead anywhere, I'd at least have gotten the pay I worked for.
But I'm so angryyyyyy, I just want to scream. I actually don't think I've ever felt like this before. I can't sleep at night and I can't focus during the day. This job meant a whole lot to me, I finally felt like I mattered again after months of being unemployed, and I started planning things to do with my friends and family because I'd finally have a stable income again. And then they go and do this, with the argument that "the other girl was better" (don't even know how that works since we'd work alone and never together, but whatever). Way to go in pushing my self-esteem into the ground again.
UGH. I just hope this sorts out and that I don't have to take it to court (which will be impossible anyway, because I don't have any money) but hopefully refering to the laws they've broken and the rules and regulations regarding employment will be enough. And they don't know I studied law for a while either, so I know the basics and how it works. And still they dare tell me they've done nothing wrong, assuming I don't know my own rights.
I'll go scream into a pillow now.
The whole situation sucks, and I really hope you are able to get it resolved without a huge hassle. Try to keep your head up. I'll be sending positive thoughts your way for another (much better) job quickly.