Values are tested in difficult moments
Schlecht am Arbeitgeber finde ich
During my probation period, I informed the company that I was facing a serious medical situation that was still being clarified. At that point, I did not yet have a final diagnosis or a full understanding of what was happening medically, but it was already clear that the situation could be serious and might require a longer period of absence and recovery.
Shortly afterwards, while I was on sick leave, I received my termination by email.
I understand that a termination during the probation period can be legally possible. I also understand that companies have to make difficult decisions. However, the timing and the way the situation was handled felt deeply impersonal, especially considering the circumstances.
After I had communicated the seriousness and uncertainty of my medical situation, there was no further conversation about it. No call, no personal exchange, no attempt to speak to me directly. The employment relationship was simply ended by email while I was officially on sick leave.
I cannot judge the internal reasoning behind the decision. I can only describe how it was experienced from my side. Before I even knew what exactly was happening to me health wise, and while I was dealing with a genuinely frightening and uncertain situation, the company chose to end the employment relationship in the most impersonal way possible.
What stayed with me most was the contrast between the company’s public messaging around culture, community, and care, and my own experience in a genuinely difficult moment. For me, this was a situation where company values were not tested in theory, but in practice.
Unfortunately, my experience left me with the impression that those stated values did not extend very far once an employee became vulnerable, uncertain, or temporarily unavailable.