Advise about PIPs

[LegalWorries]

Out of the blue, I've been told that I'm going to be put on one of these.

There has been no warning.

I believe that the company wants to get rid of me, (for financial reasons), and the objectives that have been set are setting me up to fail.

Does anyone have any advice of how to handle this, and to help me determine if this process is being put in place fairly?

I've asked for a letter to outline my failings in detail, and what's been written in it doesn't cover the things that were said to me in my review meeting, and some of it is simply not true.

I'm loathed, frankly, to make this legal, but I do need to have the right kind of ammunition to be able to decide how to navigate my way through this

TIA

Have you been in the company more than 2 years? If not, they can dismiss you for pretty much any reason, unless you have declared MH or disability.

If you've been there more than 2 years they have to use the PIP as the first step (normally classed as 'informal') in a multi-step process.

If you believe they are being unfair, inaccurate or inconsistent you could formalise the specifics in writing and ask them to respond to your comments.

Alternatively you could engage with the process keeping meticulous records on a weekly basis of everything you deliver under the PIP. They may still fail you but at least you've engaged with the process and done everything possible to improve the aspects they need changed.

IME the PIP is not a good sign. It's meant to be all about supporting the employee to improve their performance, but it's often an HR tool to tick the box to demonstrate they've tried, but the employee has failed. I expect this is how it feels to you.

I'd definitely take it as a warning sign and start to get your CV out there either internally or externally.

Yes, that's definitely how it feels to me.

First step was a chat, which blindsided me as I wasn't expecting the litany of things I had done/hadn't done.

I asked, after the meeting, for all that to be put in writing so I had the right to reply, and the letter was much more general/vague. It also, I think, misrepresented what's happened to me. If you read previous reviews you would not think it was the same person, or at the very least you'd think a step had been missed out.

It seemed to me that the decision has already been made to move me out.

Thanks for your post.

(Oh and I've been there for 5 years)

Does anyone else have any experience of going through this process? It would really help me to know how others coped with it - and if there's ever a way to keep your job.

While waiting for others to join the conversation...

You are protected in law, so that's the first thing to remember. They need to follow their disciplinary policy. Can you get hold of that, as it will give you the early heads up how closely they are sticking to the process.

Also have they indicated they will be creating a PIP document itemising the things they need you to focus on? This will at least give you the tangible deliverables you need to give them over the agreed period of review (normally between 6-8 weeks.

If you can stick to the PIP and prove you have delivered it successfully, they will find it hard to move you to any formal warning without justification as to why.

Also if you are keen to stay in the company can you identify your allies, who know you and are familiar with your work, as they will at least give you moral support, and maybe even find a mentor who is willing to work with you and guide you while you are doing your PIP. This will all be grist to your mill to show how you've complied with their process and take it seriously.

Sorry you're being subjected to it, please try not to let it erode your confidence and self-worth. You have been valuable to them over the past 5 years, a meaningful amount of time, don't let the B*£#"@% grind you down!

Thanks, @daisychain01. I really appreciate your advice.

I have confided in someone else at work, who has given me a valuable perspective on what I've been given as my objectives.

I don't know if we do have a disciplinary procedure! But I'll find out about that.

I'm glad you have some RL support LegalW.

If you have taken them into your confidence, then they will already be someone you trust and have rapport with, so bear in mind that if you need to attend any formal meetings during the process, then they could be a good person to accompany you.

I really hope they treat you fairly, but having a witness to give you moral support is a significant benefit and often makes them behave differently if they see strength there.

Take care.