[denni9th]

If I was aware of someone wanting to fire me without benefits by forcing me to quit, I'd probably try force them to fire me with those benefits. I'd sit at my desk playing games or watching series or some other non-work activity, ignoring any requests from my manager. Eventually they'll have to fire me, or they keep paying me to do nothing.

[Yoric]

Well, if you do this in France, you can get fired for "Faute Grave" ("It's your fault and it's bad"), in which case you get very reduced benefits or even in some cases "Faute Lourde" ("It's your fault and we're probably going to sue you for it"), in which case you get no benefits at all.

In 99% of circumstances, firing people is really not difficult in France (there are a few exceptions such as pregnant women, people who are on a long-term handicap leave or people who have been elected by workers as their spokespersons). Laying them off for economic reasons is a bit more complicated.

[DoctorOetker]

> ...or people who have been elected by workers as their spokespersons

would this have been possible in the timeframe you experienced? since he felt the need to isolate you, indicates the boss knew the team respected your leadership, which generally indicates the team would have been willing to vote you as representative / spokesperson.

it might not have become the most pleasant job, but sometimes caesar must accept the crown unwillingly...

[Yoric]

I suppose it might have been a strategy but job protection was not my goal.