I got on a bad side of a wrong person who knows the right people and surprise, surprise I got put on PIP despite always having good track record.
Now I'm wondering if I should just pack up and leave immediately on my own, or if I should try and fight this thing. If I chose the second option, what are my chances?
After 18 years, I was put on PIP. My join ceased to exist, manager thought I was under performing. Went through 3 months of nonsense. Wrote to HR that my job didn't exist explained why and redundancy should be the course of action not PIP. Six months later I was gone with a package. In hindsight best move.
Just one of many reasons GE has been robbed, is broke, the stock is a joke, and the below average have run the company in the ground ... Good ole PIP ... Getting rid of intelligent people that pose a threat.... How's that working out for everyone???? Losing talent for decades....
PIP is often used by management to get rid of people who are targeted for any particular reason. It is a tool that, if misused - and that is the case typically - shrouds institutionalized abuse and personal pettiness in a veil of well-intentioned formality. HR will support the management - unconditionally. This is modus operandi of GE culture. Having a powerful ally and mentor in HR would be very helpful - if you can manage that. A very honest and direct discussion with the manager and the person who took offense with your actions, and an apology - right or wrong - might help too. In the end, only you can judge what the best course of action might be, and what is more important: winning the battle or the war(?) Wishing you the best of luck.
Depending on the manager and how detailed the PIP is and level of follow up will determine if you survive or not.
I have seen PIP requirements where managers wanted to for sure exit an employee requiring them to document everything they did every 15 minutes of every day and of achieving output in one day which would take 12 plus hours to achieve.
If you have medical conditions, disabilities or other valid protections such as over age 40, Veteran Status, or are a person of color get those documented and use all of those to the utmost leverage.
I "turned around" under a PIP, but I had help. I was lucky enough to know a sympathetic manager (not in my management chain) that re-interpreted my bosses instructions so that I could act on them in the way my boss expected. In fairness, both of them wanted me to "get it" and I had all the support (and more of the feedback) than I wanted. If there's a layoff, you will be on the chopping block until you get off PIP. My advice is to find a mentor (away from your manager) and make sure that both your manager and your mentor want you to succeed. Then start looking for outside opportunities in case your job gets cut. My sense is that the integrity of the PIP program has deteriorated over the years and you will probably be at risk for some time. If you don't have clear and attainable metrics from your leadership, I would leave. Good luck to you.
If you don't think you are being treated fairly, leave NOW. With PIP, and current situation, you are better off looking outside. Make a clean start.
In general, a PIP is truly a Performance Improvement Plan. It should be specific, achievable, measurable and you and your manager should agree it is all that before it begins. If your manager is fair, listen to the feedback and hit your targets. The one caveat is, if you are in a PIP and a reduction in force comes down, you may be on the list due to forced ranking.
Bottom line is don't resign, work the plan but be prepared to the possibility of being impacted where at least you will get a decent exit package. Hang in there.
As a manager at a different company (formerly of GE), it is REALLY HARD to fire anyone. As part of the PIP, they have to give you specific action items and metrics to improve. As long as you meet those, they can't fire you.
They really prefer to "catch" people with things like improper time keeping. Much easier.