After a year of good reviews, during yearend review, I was put on PIP. It came out of the blue, and their claims were about not working well with others when I have never had any issues. When I asked for examples, they refused to disclose. They’ve piled work, and now say I shouldn’t be doing the type of work they have assigned. From my perspective, management doesn’t look me. I’m unsure how to pivot with the market though? This has broken me. I’ve poured myself into my work.

Unfortunately sometimes it has nothing to do with your performance, it might have something to do with the firm’s performance aka the budget, when they don’t need you they would plan for it, PIP is one of the strategy.

this is why i don’t pour myself into work anymore. hope you find something that is worth pouring yourself into.

Tbh they are probably making up a story. That is wild and sorry this is happening to you

Don’t take it personally. When the firm don’t have business cases to make or need to make cuts, employees get put in impossible situations to support the story the firm wants to advance. Classic example - give you an “opportunity” but then say you are not ready for promotion or there is not opportunity for promotion because you are still developing the skill set of that opportunity despite being fully ready in another area (and not unreasonable to expect a promotion based on that area). These accounting firms just play games and quite frankly the gig is up. I hope PE firms start to buyout more firms including the Big 4 and eliminate this antiquated partnership that doesn’t award based on merit and limits opportunities for non-partners.

Get an employment attorney and ask them what you should start documenting - if they’re not being forthcoming with any examples, you may be able to build a case for when they do ultimately let you go for wrongful termination. Save all of your reviews to your personal computer. Don’t sign anything if they give you severance before you have your attorney read and understand it.

I am so sorry to hear that. Do you need a referral?

Likely an example of not kissing the right asses at the right times. Or could just be a disguised layoff. Either way, you’re not the only one it’s ever happened to. Sorry to hear this.

This happened to me when I was also at a small firm. I have always been a very high performer and they accused me of things that were completely not in my character with no evidence. It completely broke me too and made me very depressed and question if this career was right for me. Please leave the firm ASAP. I promise you it gets better when you are int he right environment. I am sure that you are so much better than what they are leading you to believe and you deserve to be happy.

They don't want to disclose?! They have to disclose. Otherwise, it sounds like poor judgment. If there were some real issues, they would have no problem disclosing those. It's time to look for another job.

It sounds like they want you to quit. Don’t give them the satisfaction, go in each day happier as if you own the place full of confidence and positivity.

I had this happen to me years ago. Not about attitude, they just said I wasn't a good fit. I found out later that one of the upper accountants had a friend moving to the area who was an accountant and needed a job. Now neither of them work there after their affair....their loss.

Sad situation. I am sorry to hear you have been caught up a situation not of your making. Document everything. Stay pleasant - gives you the satisfaction of the moral high ground. Look for something more suitable.

The profession has changed markedly in recent years - everything is now risk driven and decent staff are effectively no more than 'human assets' to do their partners bidding and can and are, ruthlessly set aside when it suits them. I think the days of a good stable career are sadly long gone.

I wish you well in your search for something better.

sorry to hear that. The rejection is painful, but you will have a new job in no time. Think of it as an opportunity to negotiate a better salary

Sorry to hear what you are going through. If management is not able to give an example of your poor performance- this is a red flag! Not a good management. Don’t take it personally. Just look for jobs with better management - EY is just 1 firm- there are over 1000 of firms! There is a reason why they have high turnover. This might be thought time but just put your energy into finding a new job and you will get it.

Ask for a copy of the PIP and it should show the examples, You should also be able to add your own comments. Unfortunately once on a PIP you are marked for firing no matter what you do. Start looking for a new job right away. Just know its probably not about you. The company has an agenda to eliminate personnel and a PIP is there documentation to cover them.

I was in similar situation they never gave me examples I asked multiple times. I went to HR and caused a huge ruckus to the point they knew I would sue them because they also couldn’t give them to HR. I’ve saved all reviews which were good including interim to personal computer just incase. Applying like crazy bc I hate these people. I feel your pain

This has happened to me. I consulted an attorney they can literally write anything and say you do bad work even if it’s not true.

The only reason you can sue is if in the PIP they violated laws such as discrimination based on sex, race, medical etc. if you are pregnant and had no bad reviews then all of a sudden after you announce your pregnancy you are on a PIP you may have a case same goes if you just returned from leaves. however, one being bias doesn’t have repercussions as that is not protected by law. If they have you sign something that you understand the improvement plan, make sure write I don’t agree nor disagree with the statements said then write your signature this will help protect you. This demonstrates you are complying with what they are saying but you are not fully agreeing to what they are saying to help protect your rights.

Make sure to apply to jobs asap. Make sure to document on your end everything. I highly suggest seeing a therapist honestly took me a year to recover. If you are in a one party consent state make sure to record conversations. I was upset at myself as the person that put me on a PIP harassed me and it was the one phone conversation I did not record but I documented it through email correspondence even though the person wanted to talk over the phone what happened to cover it up.

Honestly at this point you just know they want to let you go so do your work don’t refuse work and look for jobs.

I reported it to HR but since it was he said she said they really couldn’t do anything.

Feel free to dm me if you have any questions. I would honestly just start job hunting right away on any free time you have.

Same thing happened to me, I have put alot of effort in my work and the result is that people are writing bas reviews about me

If you had good reviews and you don't recall any instance that is causing this, then it looks like one person at a higher posistion didnt like you for some reason.
You cant do anything, just be thankful that you are leaving a place that isnt being fair or respectful.
But job market is tough. Good luck!