My manager requested I join a group at work that asked for feedback to improve my office.

23 Comments

1. AnonymousAugust 30,2023 at 2:43AM UTC

   Yes, unfortunately career suicide. Seldom do toxic places want to hear the truth.

2. AnonymousAugust 30,2023 at 5:39AM UTC

   if you have an EEOC contact within your organization, I found the hard way that some of those issues were better handled by EEOC vs HR

3. AnonymousAugust 30,2023 at 6:57AM UTC

   My experience with PIPs has been that it takes weeks of working with HR before we can meet with the employee to go over it. It's not likely something they can throw together in a day. It's likely the timing was coincidental.

4. AnonymousAugust 30,2023 at 2:57PM UTC

   Thank you for the feedback. Do some large companies have EEOC officers? I thought that would be a person outside of the organization.

5. AnonymousAugust 30,2023 at 11:58PM UTC

   Yes that is how I used to offer support through our internal EEOC employees. They responded faster and even investigated HR when prior reports were “missing.”

6. AnonymousAugust 31,2023 at 2:27AM UTC

   I do not think HR knew anything about the performance improvement plan( PIP) . It was so poorly written, did not list any specific issues with my work and provided for zero coaching . I think my manager wrote the PIP without consulting HR.

   My manager was surprised when I told her I would be reaching out to HR because she put me on a PIP.

   The PIP contains numerous inaccuracies. I pointed that out to HR but nothing was done about that.

   I am on a medical leave now and plan to do my work well when I return. If things do not improve I may have to look for another job and / or hire an employment lawyer.

7. AnonymousAugust 31,2023 at 3:24PM UTC

   Document ALL communication (even while out on leave if there is any) and assuming have access to your laptop screenshot/download any and all things to support your case and save on an external drive in case they lock you out soon.

   Something similar happened to me and I was able to pull enough documentation to claim retaliation and harassment to HR and they had to pay me out a healthy severance (and the asshole who tried to mess with my career got fired shortly after for their behavior). Stand up for yourself here! Good luck!

8. AnonymousAugust 31,2023 at 12:57PM UTC

   Truth tellers always get retaliated against, sad to say. Been there, done that, have the entire suit.

9. AnonymousAugust 31,2023 at 1:16PM UTC

   Retaliation is illegal. Hire a labor attorney now and get ready to push back when they bring you in for lay off. Don’t leave without a severance package!

10. AnonymousAugust 31,2023 at 1:36PM UTC

    This is exactly what happened to me after the same type of “anonymous “ workshop was given. I knew it would blow back on me so I gave truthful and honest feedback - like someone said , truthful and honest doesn’t always get you positive results - that’s why corporate America is such a trash heap. Get a lawyer. Good luck.

11. AnonymousAugust 31,2023 at 4:08PM UTC

    If you truly feel that your honesty meant retaliation share that with the EEOC and file a formal complaint. Also start looking for a new job because a PIP is stage one in a boot out the door.

12. AnonymousAugust 31,2023 at 4:45PM UTC

    Even if you are in the right and word hard when you return from leave, it appears the Company is going to let your Manager separate you if she choses to do so. I would speak to a Labor Attorney or leave for a new position. Also keep in mind, the Company maybe able to go through their insurance to have their legal fees paid if you sue while you have to pay your Attorney fees yourself.

13. Vanessa McMainsAugust 31,2023 at 4:51PM UTC

    Can you submit a written retort on record or have another person in your department write a letter of support for you and submit it to HR? Either way, I would start looking for another job.

14. AnonymousSeptember 1,2023 at 12:12PM UTC

    Constructive Discharge

15. AnonymousSeptember 1,2023 at 12:36PM UTC

    They want to get rid of you. Start looking immediately. I have asked aroundcand everyone agreed PIP's are being used to show management they can get rid of a person. Most contain made up allegations.

16. AnonymousSeptember 1,2023 at 1:32PM UTC

    Your manager is possibly also pissed you were going on medical leave and wanted something in your file before you were out. When you return, if they try to let you go, it can be said it was not due to your leave but prior issues. I have seen this happen. I would get proof of the inaccurate information. However, even if you prove them wrong, that won't make for a fun work environment.

17. AnonymousSeptember 1,2023 at 3:35PM UTC

    Where did you read she was going on medical leave? Was the post edited? If she is, that could explain it!

18. AnonymousSeptember 1,2023 at 6:57PM UTC

    I was placed on the PIP before I went on medical leave. The PIP contains false information and I responded to the PIP with an email correcting the false info. My manager has actually made up lies on the PIP.

19. AnonymousSeptember 1,2023 at 2:20PM UTC

    In my career, which covers 50 years of my life, I have been put on a pip 3 times. In all cases there was false information in them. I was successful once in accomplishing the goals in the pip. The other 2 were clearly a desire to let me go. Remember, there are a lot of people out there that are threatened by smart accomplished women. That may be the case here. Regardless, I would start looking for another job so you have options.

20. AnonymousSeptember 1,2023 at 3:34PM UTC

    I have also learned never to fill out “anonymous” employee feedback surveys. I think they use them to weed people out. Employers seem to be using lots of tricks these days. PIPs seem to be used the most often, and often for no valid reason. I would look for something else. Now that it’s the end of summer, employers will be posting jobs again. You will find something better.

21. Bradford McCormickSeptember 2,2023 at 12:36PM UTC

    "All understood, too late." (Sophocles, Antigone)

    So you must have made some sort of recommendation how to improve the office? Many people want only flattery, but they also don't want to be seen that way, so they will ask for honest criticism.

    This is not directly helpful to you, but there is a great old soul song free on Yutube: "Smiling faces sometimes" by The Undisputed Truth.

22. Christi MillerSeptember 5,2023 at 11:51AM UTC

    I have learned never to provide honesty feedback. Surveys are never anonymous in my experience. They are now looking to get rid of you. You are seen as the problem you expressed with the office. Find something else.

23. Wanda ShawSeptember 5,2023 at 11:25PM UTC

    Looks like you were set up to be the fall person and it’s really kind of a sad indictment on the company you work. I would question the integrity of any company that would use something as objective as a survey

    to weed out and punish employees for speaking the truth. But In the world of corporate politics anything is possible. If you really like what you’re doing you could go along, albeit begrudgingly, with the pip, and do an outstanding job in hopes that it clears your record and your name. Or you could think that it’s not at all worth admitting to something that you know isn’t true and start fresh somewhere else. The choice is yours, but my hope for you is that you never entertain the thought of being silent when things are obviously wrong. We need more folks like you in the workplace.