PIP v negotiating a severance

[Yougottobekiddingme]

I’m seeing a lot of these threads flying around!

I finally got my PIP and the requirements for passing are not very SMART. I have a new boss who says they genuinely want me to improve (yes lay offs happening all around). They are new to the organisation, never managed global teams and up to now (after 30 years experience, 2.5 years in this post, no warnings and a meets rating in both goals and competencies last year. I have not had any examples of complaints from anyone else and they said the observations were all their own! So no 360o feedback.

To me it’s clear we mutually don’t like each other and even if I did pass the PIP I could not work for this manager. They don’t support the team, they make everyone else accountable showing no accountability for anything themselves (even though head of dept), is showing favouritism to one person in our group to exclusion of everyone else and throws the rest of us under a bus so they don’t get any heat.

many of us looking for other jobs but could I open a discussion about negotiating a mutual parting of ways? Do you need to have grounds? Or best tO suck it up, play the game until I get another job (this week I have had 4 interviews and am successfully getting to next stages as I’m in a sought after field). I’m in new territory here and need a job but am pretty stressed and can’t think of anything else!

I'm a coach and I would suggest a conversation along these lines📧

Thank you for taking the time to meet with me today. I wanted to have a candid conversation about my current situation and explore a potential way forward that could be beneficial for both the organisation and myself. As you may be aware, it’s become evident that our working relationship has its challenges. This is impacting my ability to work effectively and is affecting team dynamics. Given the circumstances, I believe that a managed exit could be the best solution. This approach would allow us to avoid the disruption of a sudden departure and ensure a smooth transition.

By agreeing to a voluntary severance, we can plan an orderly handover of my responsibilities, which will help maintain continuity and minimise any potential disruption to ongoing projects. From my perspective, this arrangement would also allow me to seek new opportunities in a more focused manner, without the added stress of an uncertain and abrupt job search.

I am proposing a [specific period, e.g., three-month] notice period to ensure adequate time for handover and transition. I am committed to working on a detailed handover plan and will make myself available to assist in training my successor or any other transition activities required. I would like to discuss the possibility of a severance package that would provide some financial security as I transition to my next role.

I believe this proposal is in the best interest of both parties. It allows for a professional and amicable resolution to our current situation. I am open to discussing this further and working out the details to ensure a smooth process. What would be the best way to proceed from here? Thank you for considering my proposal and for your understanding. I appreciate your time and support.

Amigafan - thanks! That’s nice! I may think about doing that! I am on PTO for a week so I have a bit of time to rehearse! Do you think consulting with an employment lawyer is a good move too?

I am having exactly this conversation right now but unfortunately my boss is being a bit useless in moving things forward.

You'd have to take legal advice before signing a settlement agreement.

A good employment solicitor would be able to advise you on negotiating an appropriate settlement.