Is there a path to staying at Cisco once down the Cisco 1:1 Documenting Coaching Path…is it possible to complete the 4 weeks and not have to go through the PIP or is the writing on the wall no matter what is done? Can anyone shed some light on the Cisco PIP Process?
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@x5 knew an RM that fired someone so she could have it on her resume for senior management to get an OD position
PIPing someone is looked upon by higher up as an appreciation & courage for the manager. That’s one way to please directors and be next in line for promotions. That’s how Cisco bureaucracy thrives. Toxicity all around.
Watching this actively be used by an enterprise group to get rid of their older members, sales and engineering. Suddenly, after many successful years of bringing in plenty of revenue they are now 'a problem'? A few have already been PiP'd out.
Looks to me like the managers, who are very new to the role, are either on the spectrum or to focused on 'likes' on LinkedIn to pay attention to bringing in revenue.
Hope they all get together and take legal action.
My unit was actually PIP’d out before being PIP’d in.
@pa+1jwe84rs7
Correct can but does not have to. Depending on the reason for the PIP surely a manager who thinks your underperforming would be willing to pass you on to another manager where you can be someone else's problem.
The only time PIP blocks transfer is if the leaving manager chooses to and in the US. In other words if the PIP is personal not professional.
Weekly PIP review calls are now being hosted by completely automated AI agents, working from Lawrenceville.
In the US PIP can prevent internal transfers.
Can, but does not have to???
To summarize .....
You can be CCIEx3,
Have great connected recognitions from PMs, from customers,
Be collaborative...
If during your career a Cisco, you will be reporting to a dum--ss manager (few technical background, poor communication skills, but playing office politucs to be promoted), and you do not say yes to aln caprices of this dum--ss manager..
So your career is at risk
@kv
Please read the HR documentation in detail. In the US PIP can prevent internal transfers. In EU PIP cannot prevent internal transfers.
My PIP lasted much longer than 4 weeks. During which time I found a new role in Cisco.... (surely makes you a hero!!! )
YOU must NOT be following Cisco Rules - once on PIP, you're barred from applying to "any" INTERNAL jobs. As a matter of fact, PIP qualifier is the first question on internal job postings to apply.
If on DC or PIP, start looking for outside roles. Your time to move has finally come. Plenty of good roles outside.
I personally went through this process. Documented coaching for 4 weeks, which I passed. Then got a call after passing DC to say actually they think I failed and put me on a PIP. My PIP lasted much longer than 4 weeks. During which time I found a new role in Cisco. I was upfront with hiring manager about being on a PIP. Hiring manager agreed the PIP was to manage me out because I was personally not liked by my reporting line not because of performance.
In my new role I have been promoted twice in 4 years.
It all depends on your reputation and if the PIP is really for performance or just because some people don't like you.
No , NO , one survives a PIP, you are toxic and put on the black ball list everywhere. Every manager threatens it, and if you get an email laying out next steps, youre toast. Just keep silent, agree to whatever , and find another job asap. once you do ask for severance.
look elsewhere for growth
yup. saw a couple of folks leave a former team and I suspect it is for this reason - no growth, no opportunities...not even more $$$$
lots of folks would be fine with career stagnation if the money was good, Cisco doesn't even offer that
Cisco is NOT the company that is in growth mode to change jobs easily. Its work force is constantly shrinking, and being squeezed further by forced programs on managing out and using PIP, whatever it takes management to lower their budget. I tried for over six months in normal work circumstances, and was unable to. Finally found an attractive offer from a competitor and moved out on my own. It’s possible if you have good skills, and keep up on your certifications.
All teams face similar pressures to look elsewhere for growth, and for career advancements. It’s toxicity all around.
@d7 not entirely true. I've seen a colleague get severance after a pip. Don't know if it was same package though. This person was older and so I imagine even in a pip situation employers want that covenant not to sure for age discrimination.
Easy to read this topic: this person is not in PIP, but might be in documented coaching.
Transfer is not permitted during PIP, is permitted during documenting coaching.
Within PIP, and ONLY in PIP : no LR, no bonus, no team transfer, no severance.
Outside of PIP, all advices below apply normally, particularly in EMEA region, where PIP should have legal ground
" why drag other people ... ? " ask someone with few experience at Cisco and maybe within big companies ...
Consider finding a new job or transferring to a different team.
transfer is generally not permitted at any company when employees are on PIP
Maintain high performance in your current role.
no point, PIP means management has already made a judgement call regarding performance, and this is all that matters
Be proactive: ask for feedback from all colleagues you collaborate with. Whenever possible, encourage allies to provide positive feedback.
why drag other people into the drama?
Start preparing to leave the company under the best possible conditions. If you are affected by a layoff, you may be eligible for severance compensation.
this is a PIP! there is no LR package...this is the whole point, to reclassify a termination as "with cause"
Consider finding a new job or transferring to a different team.
Maintain high performance in your current role.
Be proactive: ask for feedback from all colleagues you collaborate with. Whenever possible, encourage allies to provide positive feedback. Be aware that your manager may focus on collecting negative feedback, even if some of it is exaggerated or unfounded.
In general, avoid reporting your manager to Employee Relations (ER). However, if it has reached this point, it's often already too late. Your time in this team and organization may be limited.
If the performance improvement plan or “coaching document” appears to be completed successfully after four weeks, it may simply be extended. This cycle can continue indefinitely every four weeks. The underlying intent may be to create psychological pressure and encourage you to resign voluntarily, thereby avoiding severance obligations.
Start preparing to leave the company under the best possible conditions. If you are affected by a layoff, you may be eligible for severance compensation.
This reflects what Cisco has become in some instances. This scenario mirrors a real case involving a manager at Cisco Lisbon, C. T. , who is currently facing legal action and has lost a trial. A complaint was also filed with the labor inspectorate, and the manager is expected to be dismissed.
you were gone a long time ago. these are just the motions you and your leader are going through.
take fmla and start looking for a job. when you come back take rhe severance and leave. dont think you can beat the pip they will get rid of you.
If threatened with a PIP, take the offered severance package instead. You're done. Make the best of it. End of PIP, you will fail, and no severance will be offered.
Had a colleague who pre covid was put on a PIP and all of a sudden the manager who put him on the PIP tires began getting slashed at work and at his house. Funny enough once the PIP took place and the colleague was removed the slashings continued for close to 6 months after we all had a good laugh.
A PIP is just a formality before they show you the exit door.
Starting documenting all your tasks and activities during this process. Over burden them with all the good stuff you are doing while they try to manage you out.
it won't be a burden because they'll just instantly-archive the emails in a special folder in case there is some legal reason to pull them up later
not sure how it is at Cisco, but most places, people report that once the PIP process has started, companies rarely short-circuit it since the entire point is to build up evidence that you are a "underperformer". so just DO NOTHING, it is unlikely they will do anything to change the duration of the PIP
if it were me, I would just ask if severance in equivalent to the PIP period can be paid out and just take it, at least then you are exercising some control
Even if you work yourself out of a PIP, you make your manager look bad now because you had the skills to do your work. That relationship will detoriate fast. They mostly likely trying to get rid of you.
Starting documenting all your tasks and activities during this process. Over burden them with all the good stuff you are doing while they try to manage you out.
Start looking out at the same time. No future anyway even if you survive. It’s still the same toxic place.
Buy your time, gather marbles and get the F*ck outta here, literally.
@a6 did you get placed on a PIP or just making the decision now to get out ahead of the EOY bloodbath.
Yeah I’d just start looking outside of Cisco. You’re being managed out.
industry-wide, PIP is usually now just a pretext for termination with-cause
you periodically hear about people who actually graduate...shrug. even if you graduate, what have you earned? more time at Cisco?
PIPs seem rare at Cisco since most of the time, they just "save you up" for the next LR if they want you gone, its just a matter of time anyway...
personally if it was me I would just say adios and at least salvage my dignity