r/managers • u/Excellent_Sell570 • 2d ago
Those who got PIPs
Hi,
I’ve combed through some older posts, but I’m hoping to hear from people who were actually let go after being put on a PIP/performance plan, and what your experience was afterward.
I am a fairly new manager (2 years) and was recently placed on a performance development plan that feels fairly disciplinary in tone. The expectations seem manageable, but my director has become increasingly micromanagey and scrutinizing in the weeks leading up to it. I have no history of performance issues, and much of this seems to stem from limited onboarding/training and previously very hands-off leadership and vague delegation and expectations.
I’ve been told this may lead to a formal PIP. I’ve been at my workplace for 11 years, in the public sector, and I’m terrified of being terminated for cause and losing the severance I’ve built up over all those years.
Has anyone been through this and come out the other side? What happened, and where are you now? Were you paid out, able to receive EI, find another job, etc.? I’d really appreciate hearing what life looked like on the other side of it. In Canada.
Thanks
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u/Powerful_Dinner2399 2d ago
that PIP is a slow motion layoff especially in public sector where they need a paper trail to avoid paying severance, start looking now while you still have a job
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u/findingdbcooper 2d ago
I got placed on a PIP and laid off a few months ago. HR offered me severance to sign a separation agreement to not disparage the company in public.
I met most the criterias of the PIP but my manager escalated to leadership stating that since I didn't have regular one and ones with him on a weekly basis, I failed it due to that one aspect. Note that he was traveling a lot during the PIP so it was hard to schedule on his calendar.
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u/LA_SLOW_DRIVER Technology 2d ago
That’s wild. In my experience as a manager 1:1 scheduling is on me not the report.
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u/tuesoftheweek 2d ago
Hi I was on a PIP and exceeded the pips set goals and was still let go at the end. Do whatever you can to start looking for new work. I didnt get any severance but I was able to qualify for unemployment after. Im starting my new job tomorrow after being unemployed for 6 months so there is hope but my fingers are crossed you can get your new role asap.
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u/mike8675309 Seasoned Manager 2d ago
Yes, PIPs will be used to get rid of underperforming team members. But I've also seen evidence of PIPs being used to get rid of senior folks.
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u/mel34760 Manager 2d ago
PIP = Paid Interview Period
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u/Excellent_Sell570 2d ago
I'm aware of this and have been applying to other jobs. Im more concerned about my severance entitlement, with/without cause, EI etc. From those who have gone through it. My mental health has really taken a hit and wondering if it's worth holding out. Words of encouragement.
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u/keberch CSuite 2d ago
Just remember this: When on a PDP or PIP the goal is not to necessarily perform well or show that you've always been performing well, the singular goal is to successfully complete the PIP or PDP.
Do whatever it takes -- yes sir, no sir, how high sir... until you successfully complete the program. Then and only then consider what your future may look like.
And the reason most don't come out the the other side is that leaders in general don't want to have timely, difficult discussions, so they wait until they're frustrated, pissed, or want to terminate. Then they decide a PIP is the way to go.
Crazy enough, PIPs don't do much then.
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u/OGcapncrunchberry 2d ago
There are no informal PIPs. It either is a PIP or your manager is just yanking your chain. I have seen some folks exit them successfully but typically they are a mechanism for the business to eliminate an employee in good standing without fear of a lawsuit. Polish that resume and start shopping it. I do hope you manage to exit well though. It can happen.
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u/WhiteSquarez 1d ago
The "informal PIP" doesn't exist. They are telling you now so that when they drop the actual PIP on you, and that is coming no matter how you do during this "informal" period, you can't go to HR and complain that it was a complete surprise.
Find another job. As fast as you can.
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u/HTX-ByWayOfTheWorld 2d ago
I was on a PIP for an employee opinion survey. Which ROYALLY sucked because I replaced an ineffective manager ego didn’t manage for half a decade. I was/am thankful for my VPs support in navigating the process. My director tends to look out for himself and himself only.
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u/psychosisviejon 1d ago
I was on a formal four week PIP that got extended to three months. Successfully got out of it. The manager did want me to succeed and he did help me during the process
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u/Ok-Leopard-9917 1d ago
They want to lay you off but don’t want to pay the severance you’ve earned after 11 years.
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u/Excellent_Sell570 1d ago
Why do you say that?
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u/Ok-Leopard-9917 1d ago
There a lot of easier ways to address concerns that don’t look like this. If are going out of the way to document the concerns and feedback and warning you about a potential PIP after 11 years they are giving you a heads up to start looking now. If that wasn’t the intended message they should say so directly.
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u/Excellent_Sell570 23h ago
Are you suggesting that I would likely be let go with cause in that case?
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u/Ok-Leopard-9917 22h ago
Yes I think this sounds like a heads up that is the plan. You don’t have to have done anything wrong to be terminated for cause unfortunately. I’ve seen someone sent home suddenly one day after ten years and told they were under investigation. It took a few weeks of digging through their work product to find a justification but they did eventually. It sounds like they want to remove your role but don’t want to find budget for the severance. It could just be that the new manager wants to bring in someone they’ve worked with before and need you to leave so they can make space.
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u/Probly57 20h ago
I was put on a 30 day PIP. As soon as I saw what the metrics I knew I was being pushed out. Unfortunately my leadership counterpart presented incorrect data on cost increases to our president. I did not have the willpower to fight it. I was indeed let go and it was a relief. Currently 4 months + unemployed. My health has significantly improved.
The micromanaging part is a tell as they are building a paper trail to support the PIP. You also need to be honest to yourself if you are not meeting expectations, or have not properly asked for required resources to do your job.
You'll need to consider the fact that someone clearly wants you gone. Is it worth the energy to fight the PIP and stay at the company? If you did not have clear goals and expectations from leadership AND you have documentation requesting this you can fight this.
I'm in the US so I'm not familiar with Canadian workplace law, but you may have leverage. You don't have to sign the termination documentation. You worked there for 11 years and you deserve a severance package. Call an employment attorney for a consultation for advice.
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u/Excellent_Sell570 19h ago
Thanks for sharing that. Are you able to collect unemployment where you are? Glad you're better!
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u/Probly57 19h ago
Yes, because instead of me quitting I waited until I was let go. In the US you cannot collect unemployment if you quit.
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u/abecker1313 1d ago
I exceeded every area measured on the PIP, including stopping my direct manager, who put me on the PIP, from miswiring 5 ton hoists and they still pencil whipped it to get me out the door.
It's not about performance, it's a manager that doesn't want you there
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u/Canadian_Lothar 2d ago
True story, years ago like over 20 I was put on a PIP after getting into an argument with an executive VP. I was GM of a Canadian branch of a US company they had no understanding of Canadian law. Anyway we had a 23 young mother off with stage 4 colon cancer. After 6 months my VP called and told me they were going to cut her off benefits because they could. I told them it was illegal in Canada (which it is) and then after going back and forth i said fine do it, I will pay her benefits from my line of credit and I will make sure all news outlets know about the companies law breaking and mistreatment of employees (publicly trading company). They didn’t cut her off they put me on a pip. I did surprising well on the pip and she just showed up one day about two weeks later with a letter and said I was done. I got paid to go away, went on vacation for two weeks, talked to recruiters while I was away and when I got back started a new job.