'HR keeps telling her to hang in there': After leadership change at small non-profit, employee faced policy-defying demands from a new supervisor, and was placed on a PIP despite documenting compliance, HR refuses to intervene following complaints

Author image for Emma Saven
Emma Saven
Aug 21, 2025 5:00 AM EDT

As employees, we should know our rights, but there isn't always a Harvey Spector available to get us out of all our work-related dilemmas, and even if there were, we probably couldn't afford him. This employee is left in a vulnerable position after overhearing her boss and coworker discussing her possible termination…The worst part is, the grounds for her dismissal are based on inaccurate and dishonest fabrications! 

She is being accused of insubordination after already completing an unnecessary Performance Improvement Plan, and documenting her thorough completion of all of her "demanding" boss' requests…Perhaps the boss has a niece fresh out of college who is ready for her first big girl job, or just a plain and simple personal vendetta against this employee…or, maybe we are seriously missing a piece of the puzzle here, and this employee isn't as 'ambitious' as she's made out to be? 

Either way, how can one cease wrongful termination made by the main decision-makers?

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  • Should she just leave before she can get fired, or brace herself for turbulence and get ready to fight back?! It's very common that people get ‘let go’ with little to no explanation, and should just accept it because “What the big boss says goes.” Maybe it's time that employees dig deeper into understanding their rights and always documenting their progress so that when they are placed on an unexpected ‘trial’, they have the evidence to back in up and plead non-guilty!

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    Two coworkers whispering about another employee
    via mooseimages

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02

    My sister just overheard her new boss tell a co-worker that she’s going to fire my sister for insubordination.

    My sister has been with this non- profit (MO) for just over a year and has really enjoyed her time. That was until her supervisor left
    via Mountain-Air-1419
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    for another job and they hired another woman. This woman came in off the bat being very demanding, but asking for things
    via Mountain-Air-1419
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    that went against the non-profit policy. My sister tried to explain or ask for clarification and even this really angered the new boss.
    via Mountain-Air-1419
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    (Rookie mistake, I know) The boss has been flying between complimenting sister for a good job and screaming at her over the
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    phone for being lazy. My sister has tried to communicate through email and documenting "Hello, per our previous
    via Mountain-Air-1419
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    conversation, I have made the following adjustments. Please let me know if there's anything else I can do to meet requirements.
    via Mountain-Air-1419
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    Etc." But every week the boss changes her expectations, criticizes her for new things, the cycle continues. My sister went to
    via Mountain-Air-1419
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    HR (which, the HR guy is also the director, a very small non-profit.) The director has decided not to really intervene and just keeps
    via Mountain-Air-1419
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    telling my sister to "hang in there." The boss made her sign a PIP even though she completed all of the "needs improvement"
    via Mountain-Air-1419
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    criteria in writing prior to the PIP. And now, she overheard her boss discussing her situation with another social worker and she
    via Mountain-Air-1419
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    said she may fire my sister for insubordination even though a) she's had really good work performances prior to new boss.
    via Mountain-Air-1419
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    b) she's documented that she's accommodated every one of boss' requests. Any advice? I feel so bad for my sister.
    via Mountain-Air-1419
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    Performance Improvement Plan
    via gettyimages

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

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    _Every_D n_Time_ Start applying for new jobs immediately. Once she gets a new job, leave no matter what they offer for her to stay. PIPs are almost always going to end in termination.
    via _Every_Da*n_Time_
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    Science Matters_100 She needs to preserve all of her evidence. Send those emails to her personal account
    via Science_Matters_100
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    Nenoshka Tell your sister for future reference that HR is NEVER the friend of employees.
    via Nenoshka
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    honsou48 Quietly find another job and when she does accept it no matter what her current job promises her. Keep evidence of all communication. Basically the same stuff everyone else has been saying
    via honsou48
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    Low Chest 6511 Let HR know what policies her boss is breaking and when they let her go, sue for retaliation.
    via Low_Chest_6511
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    nighthawkndemontron Your sisters boss has someone else in mind for her role and is going to replace her.
    via nighthawkndemontron
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    bianceziwo The new boss probably has someone who she wants to hire (a close friend, relative) and needs to get rid of you so she has an excuse to hire them
    via bianceziwo
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    Vitogodfather If they are doing anything illegal in any capacity or violating any laws, document it and report it!
    via Vitogodfather
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    buttercrotcher New boss probably looking to hire a friend or family member. Best way they do that is firing. Been through these types of "new" bosses and it s ks.
    via buttercrotcher

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