employee rights: Only two weeks in, employee placed on PIP — sparks outrage online as many say leave now
The employee stated that they joined the company in the second week of the year, but ran into trouble immediately after they became seriously ill. According to the post, administrators sent them home on three separate days in the first week due to the severity of their condition.
After returning to work for only a few days, the worker was informed that they were subject to a two-week PIP, had no properly defined performance targets and were given only vague explanations for the decision.
“I can’t believe I’m writing this,” the employee said, describing feelings of shock, anger and disappointment.
Adding to this distress was the fact that the employee was hired by a former colleague whom they considered a friend. They noted that there had been no previous discussions about performance challenges before the PIP was issued.
“I turned down another job for this role,” the employee said, adding that the situation left them feeling “useless and worthless.”
Red flags are piling up
While the employee admitted that he had already noticed many warning signs at the company, he said that they did not want to leave because they were afraid of being unemployed. They also showed a willingness to speak to former colleagues who supported them, hoping for clarity as to what led them to take this sudden disciplinary action. The post caught the attention of readers; Many readers said the situation reflected deeper organizational challenges rather than individual performance.
What users say
Reactions from other users were swift and largely unanimous in tone.
One user commented: “Start looking for a new job. Any place that puts an employee on PIP after 2 weeks is not a place you want to work… and it sounds like they’re actively trying to fire you anyway.”
Another wrote: “PIP in your first 2 weeks? It’s a “Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst” situation. PIP is generally an RGE (resume building event), but having a PIP for the first 2 weeks is EXTRA bad. At this point you’re not even fully engaged, they can let you go with very little impact on their bottom line. You’ll need to apply like CRAZY.”
One user said: “Call them about the job you turned down. I wonder if your current employer has a reputation for being dysfunctional.”
Another user said: “Last week I was fired from a similar, if not the same, company. First month PIP is crazy and yes like the other statements it’s probably just aimed at firing ‘for cause’. Call the last company or boomerang back to the old company. Start job hunting NOW with this job in hand. I was fired for no specific reason and after being fired the first time I’m now figuring out how to do interviews”
Someone commented: “Is the person who hired you on good terms with management??? They might be degrading you to spite them! How many times have I gotten a recommendation for a job and it totally backfired because the hiring manager hated the person who recommended me…🤦♀️”
FAQ:
Q1. What is a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP)?
A PIP is a formal document that outlines performance concerns and expected improvements. It aims to help employees meet job expectations within a certain time period.
Q2. Is it normal to get PIP in the first few weeks?
Early PIPs are rare and often seen as a warning sign. Many roles require longer engagement and adjustment periods.
