Thread regarding Cisco Systems Inc. layoffs

Put on your big boy pants and get to work.

OP my best advice ask your manager the option of LR package its the best way out otherwise document everything hire a lawyer who specialize in this stuff and sue your manager's a-s, they will negotiate a severance package with you and you can get out of this mess. This two months headsup before PIP strategy used by your manager is to make you quit without any layoff package this is super suspicious.

When I was put on a PIP in 2010, it was a BS move by the manager because I’d gotten on his boss’s sh-t list.

I didn’t get a “please take this package and leave” conversation, & I asked HR what happens when I fail to meet these “goals”. I was told I’d be terminated & that there’d be a severance package, but wasn’t told the details of what that would be.

The goals got harder & more outside the scope of my job’s role. Then, the 2011 WFR was announced & my goals sort of became pro-forma & the manager quit putting effort into finding hard sh-t for me to do. When the date for the WFR notifications to go out, that week’s 1:1 for Thur afternoon was canceled & a new one scheduled for Tue morning where I was laid off.

One way or the other, they’ll get you. The LR process is just quicker & easier w/ less paperwork.

> If I don’t finish them all on time, I’ll be put on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP).

That is a kind of "pre-PIP". It's actually nice of him not to instantly start a formal PIP.
I would highly recommend you explaining your situation to a few trusted co-workers asking them to help you with these tasks.
Good luck. I know two people who were put on a PIP and both survived, got eventually promoted a few times.

Just to follow up on what I wrote a few hours ago.

You are put in a kind of "pre-pip". You now either

1. survive it and life goes on.

or

2. you fail and are then put in the formal pip. If you fail the pre-pip, then it's guaranteed that your manager makes you fail the formal pip as well. You can then use these weeks to pretend working while actively looking for new jobs.

There is also option c), but that is highly theoretical

3. while in the pre-pip, look for internal roles. You can't change roles while on formal pip, anymore. With the layoffs going on, a lot of people fight for the few internal open positions and it becomes unlikely that you will find an internal role in these days.

As already mentioned, I know two folks who were put on pip and survived it. From then on, their careers stagnated, no promotion, IPF=1, minor salary raises. That changed with a new manager. Then life becomes fair, again. Do managers often change in your team? Then that's fine, I guess.

Hate to be so blunt, but you are toast — unless miraculously you moved to another position in the next few weeks. Leave on your own terms and tell your manager to pound sound.

It takes 4-6 weeks of documented coaching and lack of improvement before you can even open a PIP case. Then another 4-6 weeks of working with HR to show cause. If you’re put on a PIP there is a usually a “please take this package and leave” conversation before the PIP starts and that takes 3 weeks. If the employee accepts, they’re out, or the employee can choose not to accept and go through the 30 day PIP…

Cisco would rather pay people to leave than go through a PIP.

Your severance as prescribed by the law (not the generous one from Cisco) is due to you for time served working. If they can prove you are intentionally not doing work, yes you can be fired for cause and miss out on the severance. However it’s usually too much trouble to prove that (depending on where you live) so employers typically just lay off with no cause and send you home with your severance.

@1ldr+1uAnS8WK this is unbelievable we just had a layoff and you were instead put on PIP today. Were you offered any severance along with it and you denied ? PIP most likely means you will be eliminated really not sure why a manager would put you through this when there is an easy option of layoff and severance is coming from central pool of money. I am confused

You are being managed out of the org. While this is unfair, it's a way for your manager to get rid of you without having to rely on legitimate reasons like the company eliminating your position or you having done something wrong. the PIP plans are often purposely written to be unachievable. Start looking for a new position, either internally or externally now.

i Just got put on a Pip today because my boss is a ladder climber and thinks it will benefit himself to look better in the eyes of the Director. Always managing up and micromanaging down. Nobody can stand him and the Directors think he's a joke. Time to find a new job

Do you really not get a package if you fail a PIP? Getting fired due to Inadequate performance is not like if you didn’t show up to work or stole from the company, which would constitute cause. You’re still considered laid off without cause and so should get your severance.

Wait, I stop doing work, go through a pip for 2 months doing nothing at all and then I get a package on top of that? Sign me up!

Do you really not get a package if you fail a PIP? Getting fired due to Inadequate performance is not like if you didn’t show up to work or stole from the company, which would constitute cause. You’re still considered laid off without cause and so should get your severance.

He could have put you right on a PIP. I'd take this as a well meaning effort.

how long is a PIP process my guess is they will give you 6 months for improvement, you can use that time to find a new job and just try save paycheck money to survive if you can't find a job before they kick you out

If I don’t finish them all on time, I’ll be put on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP).

That is a kind of "pre-PIP". It's actually nice of him not to instantly start a formal PIP.

I would highly recommend you explaining your situation to a few trusted co-workers asking them to help you with these tasks.

Good luck. I know two people who were put on a PIP and both survived, got eventually promoted a few times.

i had a manager at cisco pull this nonsense with me once. put me on stupid tasks.i found out later he really wanted to put me on a pip. i eventually ended up lr'd. they paid me out instead of having the enjoyment of firing me.

if you go to hr, you could try to illustrate how this mgr is creating a hostile situation. if you have a valid excuse (ex medical) for why the tasks aren't being completed on time this may buy you some time. but no guarantees. also, hr protects the company, not you.

the best outcome for you would be to get lr'd and take the package.
like i was then,and it sounds like you are burned to a crisp and ready to leave one way or the other.

and yes there is wonderful life after cisco.

Just him to put you on the LR. At least you will get a package. With a PIP, you're fired and no package.

OP now is a good time for you to find another job and the heck outta Disco ! Is this really worth your peace of mind ?

First of all, I would ask him via Email to confirm in writing the tasks he has seen fit to give to you so you can approach them methodically. From there it would not take much to check if these were reasonable or he is giving you tasks that cannot be achieved. At least you have some form of confirmation of what he is asking you to do and then can make an decision on whats the best form of action.

I was put on one, completed the ridiculous tasks and thrived for 18 years afterwards. No hr involvement. It was done out of spite by a jealous team member who threw me under the bus and mgr went along with him not realizing I was the one who was carrying the team. They were not indian, nor am I.

What do PIPs look like or what does that document have in it? I think my manager put me on a PIP but just didn’t call it that. He called it a skill growth plan and said everyone fills one out but when I asked others about their skills growth plans no one knew what I was talking about

sorry but youre toast , best to say nothing and start looking ,no one ever threatens PIP unless they plan on giving you one, but dont worry this is the toxic leadership that is celebrated by the tribe, whoever replaces you will deal with same thing.

Very fair and not uncommon if your manager is indian. Sorry 😞

And I've only seen one person ever keep his job after complaining to HR.

HR is there to protect the manager... not you

You are now a target. HR won't help you. Brush up your resume and get out. Sorry, this is the reality with which you are dealing. Good luck and hopefully you'll find a less stressful job!

Start looking for a job!

As a former manager/Dir at Cisco, if you're on a PIP, it's pretty much a foregone conclusion that you'll be leaving the company. In 21 years, I've only ever seen one person successfully come off of a PIP.