On PIP and had to adjourn the meeting due to stress now ive been suspended for a week

andrew1111

The PIP isnt going well, but its not based around whats on my actual job action and development plan and i dont have an up to date contract. Ive not been suspended for a week before a formal disciplinary meeting, at this meeting i will be disciplined and put on another PIP. I really cant do this its sent me into depression that i am on tablets for, ive spoken to my doctor who said she can sign me off for 2 weeks but ultimatley i just want to leave, but cant as i need a job. if i leave they win and i am doing my job. If i stay they will do all in thier power to get me out. I get a bad reputation and may struggle to get another job. What should i do. Ive had great reviews for years and now as covid has effected eveything im now been put on a PIP. Need some advice id like a settlement but doubt ill get one.

tacpot12

Having been on a PIP myself, I know how difficult it is to get an employer to change their mind about your performance. 

I would not rush to judge what they will do, but if they have suspended you, a revised PIP is likely. If you really cannot face this, then I would suggest you take the sick note and start job hunting. There are lots of jobs at the moment and you only need one. 

You should try to get the new PIP revised so they there is a much greater chance that you will be able to complete the plan. If they won’t adjust the plan at all, they could be being unreasonable. 

happyc84

To the Op -  the PIP is it informal or Stage 1;2 or even 3. You have the right to be accompanied so I would check what the company policy is. Most PIPs are based on ACAS process.

In my view PIP is such a failure for Management; as I've seen too many hopeless Managers bully staff through the PIP process. 

How long have you been there and are you in a trade union?

krusty101

happyc84 said:

To the Op -  the PIP is it informal or Stage 1;2 or even 3. You have the right to be accompanied so I would check what the company policy is. Most PIPs are based on ACAS process.

In my view PIP is such a failure for Management; as I've seen too many hopeless Managers bully staff through the PIP process. 

How long have you been there and are you in a trade union?

What a strange thing to say. If a manager is bothering to performance manage someone it at least means they are following a process and attempting to get the person working to a higher standard. Surely the ‘failure’ would be just giving them the boot. Performance management is hard work for the manager, it’s much easier to cut to the chase and just get rid so I really don’t see it as a failure. 

happyc84

sorry my point is that too many managers invoke the PIP route, when really all is needed is good support and realistic target goals for the team and the individual. Fair and reasonable for the job level.

Its a shame there isn't a Management PIP process for their staff to use. Certainly get rid of the Managers who are failing.

oh_really

krusty101 said:

What a strange thing to say. If a manager is bothering to performance manage someone it at least means they are following a process and attempting to get the person working to a higher standard. Surely the ‘failure’ would be just giving them the boot. Performance management is hard work for the manager, it’s much easier to cut to the chase and just get rid so I really don’t see it as a failure. 

The day to day supervision of staff should be offering guidance and picking up problems at a far earlier stage, or perhaps the managers are too busy to involve themselves in such trivialities and would prefer PIP and discipline the individual out the door.

MalMonroe

andrew1111 said:

The PIP isnt going well, but its not based around whats on my actual job action and development plan and i dont have an up to date contract. Ive not been suspended for a week before a formal disciplinary meeting, at this meeting i will be disciplined and put on another PIP. I really cant do this its sent me into depression that i am on tablets for, ive spoken to my doctor who said she can sign me off for 2 weeks but ultimatley i just want to leave, but cant as i need a job. if i leave they win and i am doing my job. If i stay they will do all in thier power to get me out. I get a bad reputation and may struggle to get another job. What should i do. Ive had great reviews for years and now as covid has effected eveything im now been put on a PIP. Need some advice id like a settlement but doubt ill get one.

I'm so sorry. I know you are not feeling well but have you contacted Citizens Advice? It seems that they deal with every problem in the UK these days but they do have advisors who can help people on PIP. One of my friends was even allocated her own advocate when she desperately needed help. You need help and it's difficult to think straight when you are feeling very low. 

Here is the link - https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/contact-us/contact-us/

Don't worry about your reputation or struggling to get another job for the time being, just try to concentrate on getting well. Your doctor has signed you off for two weeks but if you return to see her, or talk to her on the phone after that time, she will probably extend that sick leave. Doctors know that stress, anxiety and depression cannot be cured in two weeks.

Try Citizens Advice, they do help people in difficult situations. And look after yourself. It's a very old cliche but it's true, just take one day at a time and you will start to feel better able to cope, especially as you have the tablets to help.

You can do this, you just need a bit of help.  

GeordieGeorge

oh_really said:

krusty101 said:

What a strange thing to say. If a manager is bothering to performance manage someone it at least means they are following a process and attempting to get the person working to a higher standard. Surely the ‘failure’ would be just giving them the boot. Performance management is hard work for the manager, it’s much easier to cut to the chase and just get rid so I really don’t see it as a failure. 

The day to day supervision of staff should be offering guidance and picking up problems at a far earlier stage, or perhaps the managers are too busy to involve themselves in such trivialities and would prefer PIP and discipline the individual out the door.

Some staff just don’t respond to the informal route. It’s a sign of a good manager to then move to a PIP rather than just letting the member of staff go.

You do need to remember too that the manager’s job is not only about supporting staff, they also need to use their resources to produce what the company needs, so can only carry an unproductive member of staff so far.

happyc84

"You do need to remember too that the manager’s job is not only about supporting staff, they also need to use their resources to produce what the company needs, so can only carry an unproductive member of staff so far"

Honestly, my experience is that even when a team is maxed out, the line manager just keeps adding to the workload,  and expecting existing staff to deal with it. No wonder UK productivity sucks. Anyway hope the skills shortage improves  balance between worker and Management. 
If the OP is stressed out,  and they are signed off by  GP. Employment law has some protection depending on length of service.

krusty101

happyc84 said:

sorry my point is that too many managers invoke the PIP route, when really all is needed is good support and realistic target goals for the team and the individual. Fair and reasonable for the job level.

Its a shame there isn't a Management PIP process for their staff to use. Certainly get rid of the Managers who are failing.

Yeah, I would agree with that. 

Brie

andrew1111 said:

ultimatley i just want to leave, but cant as i need a job. if i leave they win and i am doing my job. If i stay they will do all in thier power to get me out. I get a bad reputation and may struggle to get another job. What should i do. 

Hey andrew - sorry to hear you're struggling. 

I guess that for whatever reason you are now in a dreadful position and need to move on.  I've been in similar positions and know it can take a big effort especially if your confidence has had a knock. 

But in my opinion you are more employable as you are currently in a job rather than being unemployed and desperate. 

And ultimately if your current employer do fire you you may be restricted in what new companies will be interested in you.  I know that in the financial industry some companies will not consider someone who has been fired.

good luck with it all and hope you find a way to become happy in what you are doing daily.