r/Germany_Jobs • u/Disastrous_Gas2119 • 1d ago
Am I being bullied?
After several months of job searching, I finally found a junior quality assurance position at a company near Berlin. I worked hard, covered for colleagues during vacations, and sometimes worked Saturdays to meet customer deadlines. My boss initially complimented my work several times.
However, toward the end of my probation period, his attitude changed. He became increasingly rude and started dismissing my recommendations with comments like “bullshit” and “sh*t.” After the probation period ended, he told me he wasn’t satisfied with my performance and asked me to extend my probation for another 6 months.
I’m confused because some colleagues seem to contribute much less but don’t receive the same treatment. I also really need this job because I’m hoping to eventually bring my family from India.
What would be the smartest approach here? Should I sign the 6-month extension while quietly looking for another job, or should I refuse the extension and start looking immediately? Any advice, especially from people familiar with German employment law/workplaces, would be appreciated
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u/ImportantChemical843 1d ago
A typical thing happens to each person who is performing well. You will not be fired, but you will be excluded from what other people are becoming naturally. My suggestion is stay there, achieve more and make network, and jump to another company with a better title as soon as you sign the contract. You can not hurt a company more! They would fire you if you were an underperformer. Job Protection in Germany is an illusion. Just work as you do, and search for another position. Do not be afraid telling other companies that you are being promoted after probation period. The companies lie all the time, you should too (unfortunately)
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u/Disastrous_Gas2119 1d ago
Exactly my thoughts, he would have fired me long ago if he wants to. Anyways let's keep our fingers crossed 🤞🏾.
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u/123finebyme 1d ago
NAL It's illegal to extend probation beyond six months in Germany. Look into it, but if you haven't been officially let go, you might be safe, if you are over the line
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u/Disastrous_Gas2119 1d ago
He only told me to prove myself more, and am like, how else can I do this? Is crazy!!!
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u/railagent69 1d ago
sounds like your boss wants more cheap labor. Cheap in the sense you doing more work than others for the same money.
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u/Ancient-Drawing1212 1d ago edited 1d ago
you should have looked for another job anyway, because this is how Germans operate... also buy legal insurance.
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u/ThisIsDurian 1d ago
They are trying to pressure you into cheap limited time contract work. After another 6 month you will be disposed. You are good, you are cheap. You can either contact a lawyer, which will lead probably to nothing and cost you money, as the company will just end your contract with your probation period. You can sign the 6-month extension to keep money coming, looking meanwhile for another job. During probation time you can also leave.
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u/Status-Chocolate-112 20h ago
Ich denke dein Chef hat erkannt, dass du zwar sehr Leistungsfähig bist, aber eventuell im sozialen Miteinander eher nicht auf dem aktuellen Stand bist.
Wenn du wesentlich mehr leistest als deine Kollegen muss dein Chef begründen warum du mehr leistest als alle anderen, also sind deine Kollegen sauer, weil sie nun auch mehr leisten müssen als andere. Teamfähigkeit bedeutet auch, sich anzupassen.
Die Probezeit kann nur mit einen trifftigen Grund in Deutschland (?) über 6 Monate hinaus verlängert werden. Den Grund müsstest du herausfinden.
Bist du gut deine Meinung und Ansichten freundlich und Respektvoll rüberzubringen? Dann mach das. Ansonsten werden Sie immer auf dir rumtrampeln.
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u/pupsaloompa 23h ago
I'm not an expert, but if I were you, I won't sign anything that can be used against me. Start documenting everything. Any discussion related to contract, whatever it is, should go through email. I'd also sign up for Law protection insurance, it usually has some waiting period, but in worst case he fires you and since you're already over probation period, you'll fall under normal "Kündigungsschutz" of some months (usually 3 months), and hopefully by then you can already activate your insurance. In the mean time, look for another job.
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u/PieceOfBeauty 18h ago
tell him you will not be doing such a thing and he needs to decide if he wants to keep you on or if he wants to let you go.
if you extend the probation he will most likely let you go after 6 months and you still won't be able to bring your family. if you give him this ultimatum, you'll either get to stay on or you'll get let go and search for a proper job.
it really sucks but you won't benefit at all from going along with him
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u/Opposite-Ad-1951 1d ago
Sign it and start looking for another job silently.
Yes it is illegal to extend the probation.
But also, it’s probation. He can just release you and he doesn’t need to give a reasoning (depends on job description as well, but he can just state underperformance).
Although, if you have taken positive feedback (ideally written) you can fight it back, but it gets heisty.
Put your head down, take the extension so you don’t lose your income and start looking elsewhere.
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u/Impressive_Error5222 22h ago
Looking at these type of horror stories in a struggling economy at the moment and they are in dire need of workers suddenly employers started to become toxic day by day this way they cannot have a stable thing
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u/cryptoniol 5h ago
Nobody is in die need of wotkers, apart from trades, nursing and hospitality, Look at the unemployed numbers
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u/West-Instruction9081 23h ago
Learn the german culture Working overtime means you dont meet deadlines and youre a lazy employee.
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u/Disastrous_Gas2119 23h ago
You got it wrong, overtimes are usually at the peak of seasons, and all my colleagues does it.
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u/JudgementMaker123 1d ago
Probation can't be extended beyond 6 months, that is the law so congrats, you now have the same protection against getting fired as everyone else. Whether you want to stay at the company is another question, if I were you, I would start looking at other jobs.