PIP - now colleague is on one too

[Yougottobekiddingme]

I’m on a PIP. Frantically job hunting! Loads of lay offs and stuff going on. Have a new manager who has not gone down too well! They have put me on a PIP and now my colleague too! I’ve seen someone senior recently demoted and I’m hearing of people being offered severance packages and being told by management they think the job is too stressful for them! Do you think the organisation is trying to save money instead of laying us off? I’ve had an unblemished record up to now and don’t want them ruining my career! Do I have any protection?

How long have you been employed?

Is there any evidence they've discriminated on you based on a protected characteristic?

Just over two years! My colleagues a good deal longer. I suspect I am neurodiverse due to children being diagnosed recently but nothing official!

Over two years is good. Have they told you clearly where you're "failing" and what you need to achieve to come off the plan?

No it’s all subjective.
doesn’t mention what success looks like!

Another plus for you!

First thing I would do is dig out any company policies relating to performance management so you can check if they're following their processes.

I suspect you're not in a union but if you are, get in touch with them ASAP.

Can you afford to get some advice from an employment lawyer?

But honestly my strategy would be to draw this out as long as possible to maintain your income and go hard on the new job search. They want you out and once that happens it isn't going to be a good situation for you even if it is unjust or even illegal.

A PIP should give you measurable targets and goals, so go back and request them. If it's not specific about where you're falling short, you need that too. Document everything, emails etc, and request follow up notes from every meeting you've had. You're demonstrating that you know what they're up to, and won't take it lying down.