I’ve commented in a few threads about putting someone on my team on a PIP, so I wanted to post an update. The associate was a decent performer but not great at communication or taking feedback. Things appeared to be going better, but he sent me a 2 sentence resignation email this week, giving 10 days notice. I called him today but he didn’t pick up, claiming he’s too busy to talk, even though I’m hearing through the grapevine that he’s calling others in the organization to say that he’s leaving.

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He’s gone! Let it go.

likesmart

I know I should, but I’m still processing. Hopefully by the end of the day!

A lot of people leave once they are placed on a PIP. You shouldn’t take it personally it’s just the way business goes. And of course they aren’t going to storm out they have bills to pay and other responsibilities. they handled it in a professional manner I think you are just being a little salty op I’m not gonna lie. Leaving was what he felt was best for him. Not sure what you thought the call would do.

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Sorry OP. I know it sucks but this wasn’t personal. People will do and say things out of self-preservation.

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Admittedly, I didn’t see your earlier posts. However, anyone with two brain cells to knock together would find a new job (if they can) while on a PIP. You can’t fault this guy for doing the only logical thing.

Sorry you’re going through this annoying management challenge. I hope you find a more skilled communicator to replace this person.

likesmart

I read your other comments below. This dude seems like a real piece of work. I’m glad he’s not your problem anymore!

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I’m not sure if I ever heard of anyone successfully completing a PIP. My experience in this area is limited to my former company where this is what HR required in order to terminate someone. And employees understood this was their notice period essentially to go find new employment. So if he has the same experience/mindset about this, then he did what he was supposed to do

likesmarthelpful

We have several examples at our company of people transitioning to other teams after a PIP and it worked out. I didn’t think this person was going to be on my team after the PIP but he made me think he had changed, but in fact he played me. More in the separate post.

woman to woman, pick your battles. is this what you want to have the mental brain space for? no. however he’s moving on, let him move on. for you it’s a breath of new opportunities, you’re able to move forward and see a new person in this position and thrive. visualize the type of person you want to fill this and move forward. you got this

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Yes 100%. We have already posted his job and I’m excited to start over on a clean slate.

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I understand that you did what you thought was best, however, as a leader I do all I can to avoid placing someone on a PIP because the employee will likely never ever trust me ever again.

They go quiet, pretend to cooperate, seek other roles, and then bounce at the earliest opportunity.

Or

They fight the PIP as they seek other roles, then bounce at their earliest opportunity.

PIPs are destructive, not constructive.

I understand your feelings on this because you had good intentions and were operating in good faith, however, you may not have considered how it feels to an employee when they are placed in a PIP.

This was most likely not going to end the way you thought. In fact, the way it ended was probably the best way it could.

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I completely agree. I put him on a PIP as a last resort. I definitely learned a lot about setting expectations and being a clearer communicator. The rest of my team can read in between the lines and they get the team culture; this guy (who I inherited) was on a different wavelength and I assumed too much.

Offering my 2 cents as someone who has been on a PIP before and cooperated as much as I could with it before leaving the company as soon as possible: PIPs are humiliating. And as such, it was an unsaid thing that it’d end in me leaving—either on my own accord or the company’s in the end. I really think you can’t go into giving someone a PIP without that expectation.

He definitely could have responded better though. When I left, I actually thanked my manager bc the PIP opened my eyes to the fact that I hated the job, and now I’ve pivoted to something I love. But then again, I’m female and I care a lot about not burning bridges and what people think of me, so I do kinda think the recalcitrance is a guy thing…

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Wow ok…that’s pretty awful then, you weren’t kidding. At the end of the day, even if he’ll never admit it, the PIP will be a good thing for him in the long run. There was a reason he ended up getting one in the first place, and him leaving because of it will give him the kick in the ass to shape up or find something else that he’s more passionate about, exactly like my PIP did for me (but I’d never say that to the manager who gave it to me)

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A PIP is a precarious position for people to be in, and maybe he wasn’t sure he’d be kept on after completing it. It’s normal for people to look for other jobs.

If he’s acting cold or resentful, that’s on him and his ego. You did what you could! Don’t let him mess with your head.

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You won!!!

likeupliftingfunny

Ok I think there are some things I should clarify about this post. First of all, I knew the likely outcome of the PIP when I started it, and I was ready to let this person go. He was a person who refused coaching and wasn’t a team player. In the first weeks of the PIP, he actively fought it and went behind my back to my grand boss to try to argue that the PIP had no merit. She had been the one to encourage me to put him on the PIP so she shut him down. Based on his actions that first week, we were ready to end the PIP and terminate. (There was other stuff too, including a self-written survey that he sent out to an unknown list of colleagues to ask them pointed questions about the issues I raised in the PIP.)

Then, he pulls a 180, says he’s going to try, etc. I was doubtful because he’s pulled this stuff in the past. At the next meeting, he actually came with an action plan and apologized to me for disrespecting me. After I went over some of the examples and opened up to him, he thanked me for sharing and finally understood what I was feeling. I thought it was a freaking miracle (naively). Then we had Christmas break, things were quiet up until he sent me the resignation email on Wednesday. Since then, he has avoided my calls and not been going along with the HR checklist. It’s just overall disappointing. Last night’s post was me venting to a bunch of strangers (y’all) because I was so annoyed but for those of you who encouraged me to move on and not let this man take up more space than he already has- I agree!! It’s just easier said than done but I will get there. Thanks.

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Ugh. I had a similarly troubling experience once. I think some people feel attacked or insulted when put on a PIP and can’t take in the feedback, and they react by lashing out/playing games. It’s totally on him, so try to distance yourself from it as much as possible.

Don’t keep trying to reach out to him unless he needs to complete something procedural. And remember this was a professional not a personal relationship, and neither of you owe anything to each other. Best to work it out of your system and move on, chalk it up to a lesson learned.

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(Continued) In retrospect, I realize that he only seemed to be cooperating with the PIP while he was looking for another job, to placate things so I wouldn’t fire him immediately. Meanwhile, I’m thinking that we were making huge strides and breakthroughs in our communication. I feel played and disrespected. Everyone at my company, including leadership who knew about the situation, have been really supportive and said I did all the right things, but I can’t help but feel annoyed and bitter about the whole thing.

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