Can I be given a written warning and placed on a PIP if I haven't received previous feedback about performance issues?

15 Comments

1. AnonymousMarch 17,2024 at 9:18PM UTC

   Unfortunately, management can let you go for any random reason anymore., including the weather

   The fact that they are contradictory between more responsibilities and unable to manage current workload is insane.

   To me, a PIP is a warning and gives you time to prepare your resume

2. AnonymousMarch 17,2024 at 11:00PM UTC

   You can challenge the PIP with the documentation you have, but I doubt it would do you any good. With a few exceptions, like the other poster said, in most states called right-to-work states) the employers or the employees can terminate the employment without notice or cause (with few exceptions like contract work or collective bargaining agreements). If they are using a PIP, most likely, they are trying to show cause so they can contest paying you unemployment if/when they terminate you. Even though the state pays UI, the company pays the state an "insurance" premium. Their premium rises when they have an excess of UI claims. I was caught up in one of these "scams" to wiggle out of an increase in the company's UI claim when they laid me off. My advice: make sure you have copies of all the documentation and keep it safe at home.

3. AnonymousMarch 19,2024 at 12:30PM UTC

   You are being managed out. Keep personal copies offsite of all correspondence, take dated notes of all interactions and use the PIP window to find a new position.

   None of this will save your job, but may be leverage for you in determining your severance package. Good luck and don’t let their tactics distract you from doing what’s right for you!

4. AnonymousMarch 19,2024 at 1:08PM UTC

   yes, they can do what they want. Start looking ASAP, same thing happened to me after good ratings and my manager was just a witch. She later died unexpectantly from a short illness. Karma is real!

5. AnonymousMarch 19,2024 at 1:38PM UTC

   Start looking. Never stop looking. If my work career has taught me anything, it's to continue applying to jobs you are interested in even if you are content with where you currently are employed.

   Meet the PIP head on. Document and copy others if you can (whoever HR is that is assigned to it), etc.

   I know you don't have to sign and if HR is present, show your receipts and proof and go from there. A former colleague of mine did that and the PIP did not move forward because even the HR rep couldn't spin the bs PIP she was being put on.

6. AnonymousMarch 19,2024 at 2:08PM UTC

   I went through something similar. I was given a written warning that was nothing but nitpicking from my manager. Every week they would send me a list of all my trangressions and formally filed it with HR. It was supposed to lead to a PIP, which I had hoped would buy time while I looked for a better position, but within a month and a week, I was out.

   What’s unfortunate is that when this new manager started, my gut told me start looking but I was officially with the organization for seven months (and seven months as a contractor) and wanted to be there a year before I started the job search plus I wanted to give that individual a chance. BIG MISTAKE. I also made the mistakes off not documenting everything and ignoring red flags.

   Start looking and also take care of yourself. There were days that I was so upset that I couldn't eat, I stuffed my face from the stress, and couldn’t sleep. And of course, with all the nitpicking, I started making making mistakes. I was watched from other team members like a hawk and I’m sure that person was keeping tabs on me through them. The worst thing about all of this is that in the many years of working as a manager, director, and VP, I never had any complaints about my work, work ethics, or professionalism. I suspect it was a power play and they wanted me out from the get go.

7. AnonymousMarch 19,2024 at 9:56PM UTC

   I was in a very similar situation to a lot of the previous commenters. I was blindsided and optimistic about the situation, thinking there was a possibility that something positive may come out of this. WRONG, a pip is enough warning to tell you to start looking. Trust your gut. I think we give other people chances, but we don't give ourselves the same chance. Just know this shall pass and who knows, you might have dodged a bullet. Well wishes!

8. AnonymousMarch 20,2024 at 2:56PM UTC

   Sounds like they are following process, the written warning is the communication and the PIP is your improvement plan. Verbal communication can become hearsay. These are performance tools all employers should use, BUT there are managers/supervisors that use the same tools to push someone out.

9. AnonymousMarch 20,2024 at 4:15PM UTC

   Definitely write a rebuttal to the PIP, include what you were told and ask for clarification as to why you are the only person being held to task for not meeting deadlines which you did not own. Yes, they can put you on a PIP at any time. Yes, do ask for clarification about how you can be failing and now being given more things to do. Put together a grid with your manager if you plan to try to stay, don't be angry or snippy but do put together one with solid actual deliverables that can be achieved to see if you can get out of the PIP. It should have been timeboxed for 30 or 60 days and if not then you should be looking for work (I would either way) because you just won't be sure they don't roll you off pre-end. Good luck, this is a bit sticky because you also likely don't know if others are on one too. They might be doing this to several people. Don't fish to see if others are too because it could backfire on you. Stay focused.

10. Christi LopezMarch 21,2024 at 12:55PM UTC

    Excellent advice. Do this. Get your evidence organized and submitted to HR. Make sure it, along with your rebuttal, are all in your employment record.

11. AnonymousMarch 21,2024 at 2:00PM UTC

    Yep, they sure can.

    PIPs were originally supposed to be designed to hold one another accountable for training and learning.

    It has (for the most part) turned into a process to document who they want gone -

12. AnonymousMarch 21,2024 at 2:52PM UTC

    Honestly, you’re lucky you got one: I was just recently let go for “not meeting expectations,” but no one ever said a word to me about it - no PIP, no verbal warnings, nothing. And when I asked what about my performance wasn’t meeting expectations, they couldn’t give me an answer other than “it’s not working out.”

    Honestly, I’d document everything, rebut if you can, and start looking. It isn’t going to get any better. It sucks, but it’s likely going to mean even if you get out of the PIP, they’re going to try to make your life miserable until you do leave.

13. Janice MasonMarch 21,2024 at 3:30PM UTC

    Definitely call your state Senator! In 2020 (at the height of the pandemic and lockdown, I went 4-5 months being told I was pending. Called my Senator’s office and they helped a lot. I not only got unemployment but was paid the back pay for the 4-5 months it was pending. Good luck!

14. AnonymousMarch 22,2024 at 1:00PM UTC

    I've been put on a PIP and put others on a PIP. From my experience, a PIP is used to protect the company with documentation when they almost certainly let you go. Even if you "survive" the PIP, are you going to feel they are still on your side? ...or would you be more apt to think they have out for you?

    The "survival rate" from a PIP according to the internet is 10-20%. I would start looking sooner rather than later. I'm sorry you're going through this.

15. MislynMarch 22,2024 at 11:37PM UTC

    I think you are on the being set up to fail bus. Most of us have been on there at least once. At least I know I have!! Micromanaging boss they think they are great! Guess they don’t realize their businesses will fail without good employees.