If you are being pushed out at work, you may feel side lined, isolated and upset, you are not alone. Sadly, many people experience this kind of treatment without being formally dismissed. Your employer may be trying to push you out for a variety of reasons, perhaps because they don’t have grounds to commence any formal action against. This article is for anyone who feels like they’re being nudged out of their job but isn’t sure what to do about it. We will help you understand the situation and what you can do about it.
Signs You’re Being Pushed Out At Work
Here are some common signs:
- Your responsibilities have been reduced or removed.
- You’re being excluded from meetings or communications.
- You’re suddenly being “performance managed” without clear reasons.
- You’re being micromanaged or unfairly criticised.
- You feel isolated or undermined by colleagues or managers.
- You’ve been moved to a different role without consultation.
- You’re subjected to a disciplinary for something minor.
- You are given an ultimatum with unattractive options.
This kind of treatment might be subtle, but the impact is real on your confidence, your mental health, and your career.
Why Employers Do This
Sometimes employers want to avoid going through a formal redundancy or dismissal process. Instead, they make your working life so uncomfortable that you feel you have no choice but to leave. If your employer wants you to leave, it is often easier for them if you resign. Where this treatment may amount to constructive unfair dismissal (if you have been employed for at least 2-years), you resigning is still better for your employer than having to commence a formal process with the aim of dismissing you. This is part of the reason why we seldom recommend you resign when being pushed out at work.
This is sometimes called constructive dismissal and it can give rise to a legal claim.
What Are Your Options
When you are being pushed out at work, it is very upsetting, but there are frequently ways to make the best of a bad situation.
If you simply resign (not what we recommend) then you (1) become unemployed without an income and (2) miss the opportunity to negotiate an exit.
If done properly, you can negotiate an exit where:
- You agree to leave, but only in exchange for tax-free compensation, a reference, your reputation intact – this is what we aim for with our exit with compensation package.
- You can start looking for a new job with a financial cushion and a reference guaranteed.
- You are now in a good position to achieve leaving a job you did not like so you can secure something better.
In many cases, it’s possible to negotiate a financial settlement without resigning and avoiding being dismissed. That’s where legal advice is crucial.
If you feel like you are being pushed out at work, please call us on 0207 118 9218 or complete a Free Online Enquiry and we will be in touch.
Do Not Resign Without Advice
This is key. Resigning may feel like the only option, but it will weaken your bargaining position and potentially your legal position if not done carefully. Taking advice quickly and before you make any big moves such as resigning or raising a grievance can prove crucial.
Seeking help early ensures you:
- Preserve your rights.
- Understand what claims you may have.
- Maximise any exit package you could be entitled to.
If you do not want to leave the business, advice may help get things back on track at work.
Being Pushed Out At Work – How We Can Help
At Toner Legal, we specialise in helping people negotiate exits from their employment. We’ll:
- Assess your situation.
- Explain your position and help you make a plan going forward.
- Handle communications with your employer if needed.
- Negotiate the best possible terms so you can move on with confidence.
Final Thought
Being pushed out at work is upsetting, but you are not powerless. With the right support, you can take back control and move forward on your own terms.
If you’re feeling the pressure and think your employer is trying to force you out, get in touch for a confidential chat. It costs nothing to find out if we can help you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What does being pushed out at work mean?
Being pushed out at work usually refers to a situation where your employer makes your working life so difficult or uncomfortable that you feel you have no choice but to leave, even though they have not formally dismissed you. This might include being side lined, micromanaged, excluded, or unfairly criticised.
Is it legal for my employer to push me out of my job without firing me?
Not necessarily. If the treatment amounts to a breach of your employment contract or is discriminatory, you may have a claim for constructive dismissal (if you have been employed for at least 2-years) or unlawful discrimination. Employers are expected to act fairly, and forcing someone out without following due process can lead to legal claims. However, this is often done subtly, making it difficult to challenge, which is why the right approach is important to identify.
Can I resign if I am feeling pushed out at work?
You can, but we advise against resigning without taking legal advice first. Resigning may affect your ability to claim certain types of compensation, and you could lose the chance to negotiate a settlement. We often help clients stay employed while we secure them an exit with compensation and a reference. Our main thoughts here are Stay Employed, Take Advice, Act Quickly.
Do I need 2 years of service to take action if I am being pushed out?
Having more than 2 years of service often helps and can strengthen your legal position, because you have what we call “unfair dismissal rights,” because you are now eligible to claim unfair dismissal or constructive unfair dismissal. However, there are exceptions. For example, if you are being pushed out due to discrimination or whistleblowing, you may still have legal protection regardless of your length of service.
Can I get a settlement agreement if I am being pushed out at work?
Yes, in many cases we can help negotiate a settlement agreement where you leave the business on agreed terms, often including a tax-free payment, a reference, and protection for your reputation. This allows you to leave on your terms, with security and dignity.
How do I prove I am being pushed out of my job?
This is a common question, but the answer is case specific. There are essentially many ways to prove incidents at work, but caution also needs to be exercised. It is often a good idea to keep a personal log of the relevant events at work, which are timestamped and refer to the relevant evidence. This will make it much easier to produce a dated log of events (we call this a chronology or timeline) and collate the relevant evidence.
What should I do if I feel I am being pushed out of my job?
Stay employed, take legal advice early, and do not resign without a clear plan. There are usually options available to you, whether you want to negotiate an exit or stay and improve your situation. If you feel like you are being pushed out at work, please get in touch with us.