[neilk]

Actually, in my experience with a PIP, it doesn't threaten you'll be fired today.

It's emotional blackmail. I was told, in black and white, that I sucked and I was holding everyone back. For anyone with any self-doubt or need for social approval, a statement like that will feel like a ton of bricks. But then they offer a path to redemption: sign a document, then complete these tasks, and all will be well again. Since I have a programmer's ego I feel I can code my way out of any situation. So I signed.

And I did so knowing full well that I was doing something against my interests. But oddly, at the time, that didn't matter as much to me as redeeming myself in other people's eyes.

If this ever happens to you, the thing to recognize is that at that moment, the company is no longer your friend (if it ever was) and from now on, every dealing with you is probably going to be backhanded. Loyalty and pride in accomplishment are suddenly bad traits for you to indulge in.

The best option may be to sign and slack off while you job-hunt. Or, if you are quick to realize that there is no way out, to offer to go away, in exchange for a decent amount of severance.

Either way, I was foolish to sign without getting a lawyer to examine the document first.

[kennyroo]

Completely agree. If you find yourself on a PIP, start looking for a new job elsewhere ASAP. Speaking as a manager who has seen this play out several times at different companies, a performance improvement plan should always be seen as invitation to leave. It always surprises me how few people get that. The company is essentially saying, "We're just not that into you."

If the company is large enough, they'll almost always be willing to pay you something (4-6 weeks salary is fairly standard) to go away quietly. Your best bet is to negotiate some kind of exit package while simultaneously looking for new employment. If you're good at it you can dovetail them so that your employment record is seamless. Your employer may even be willing to give you time off to interview. (Remember, they want you to leave.)

The chances of making a comeback after being put on a PIP are slim. It's a HR formality that's essentially a prelude to termination, to protect the company from potential litigation. I don't have hard numbers, but I'd estimate that 75%+ of employees placed on a PIP will either leave or be terminated within 3 months.

Lastly, a PIP doesn't mean you're a bad person. In fact, it may not even be a reflection of your performance. Sometimes personality and budget issues play a large role. American companies don't have many options when cutting staff, and they often default to this one when they don't want "layoff" headlines. I'm not defending it (it's a sucky practice), but see it for what it is, try not to take it personally, and get the hell out before things get really bad.

[neilk]

they often default to this one when they don't want "layoff" headlines.

Interesting. So I guess you think it is plausible that Google would be mass-PIPping rather than announce layoffs.

[kennyroo]

Absolutely.

[jacquesm]

American companies have tons of options when it comes to laying off staff, many more than in the rest of the world.

[jacquesm]

So, in your opinion, what would have happened if you had not signed ?

[neilk]

I don't know. Perhaps someone else here has experience with that?

Another tactic to get rid of people is to simply take away all their important work. They aren't advancing in the company, and they are losing status in the team. Many people will just quit, or make a lateral move to some other team. The latter option might have been open to me.

[gaius]

at that moment, the company is no longer your friend (if it ever was)

One time, in an evaluation, the first thing my boss said was "if I were to ask your colleagues right now, you would be fired". I was stunned. I thought I had been doing good work and got on well with everyone.

Later I discovered that this wasn't actually true; it's a tactic they teach in whatever management training course this company sent their people on, to keep the staff off balance. Yeah, that company isn't around anymore.

You can get on well with your cow-orkers and enjoy interacting with people at work but you CANNOT be friends with anyone you report to or who reports to you. Eventually they will have to screw you or you will have to screw them. That's just the way companies work.

[andreyf]

...but you CANNOT be friends with anyone you report to or who reports to you. Eventually they will have to screw you or you will have to screw them.

Can't disagree more. If you're clueless about everything outside your job responsibilities, then I could see how that's true, but if you're at least moderately engaged with those you report to, you can certainly have friendships.

Nobody looks to screw anyone over - constantly ask hard and honest questions - if your boss says "if I were to ask your colleagues right now, you would be fired", ask "do you think it's something we can work out, or should we talk about my leaving the company?"

Be honest with your superiors, and demand they be honest with you.

[gaius]

You've missed the point. My work was fine, and he knew that. He said that only to establish a power relationship because that was how that company worked. I learnt that when a) all my colleagues reported being told exactly the same thing (what, everyone wanted everyone to be fired?) and b) when I later became a team lead it was right there in the course materials (tho' I never did it myself).

Up until that point I had thought my manager and I were friends; he did me a great service early in my career by revealing the truth about how organizations operate.

[andreyf]

He said that only to establish a power relationship because that was how that company worked.

Well, establishing a relationship of respect and power is part of management, but there's absolutely no reason one needs to be a dick to do that.

Up until that point I had thought my manager and I were friends

That sucks, sorry to hear it. Maybe it's a sign of the times (I've only been in the industry about a year), or just the managers I've been fortunate to work under, but in my experience, coders always get more respect than to be bullshitted like that. It all comes down to money, I think:

If the company pays you less money than the wealth you generate, and provides good enough benefits/environment, you're playing a win/win game where everyone's happy. Yes, there are times when your interests diverge - your manager has a budget to minimize and you have a family to support, but those are exceptions to the rule.