Manager puts employee on a performance improvement plan after they write a date in the wrong format: 'They're just looking for an excuse to fire you'

If you get put on a performance improvement plan, you hope that you have some idea about where it's coming from. Maybe you know your heart hasn't been in it recently, and you've been making avoidable mistakes. Or maybe it comes out of the blue, and you're left scrambling, wondering what you did wrong. 

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  • An employee looks upset at her desk, surrounded by papers, feeling burned out
    via Unsplash+ (Getty Images)

    An employee looks upset at her desk, surrounded by papers.

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

  • Manager has put me on PIP over a silly mistake.

    As discussed, despite multiple feedback sessions, we continue to see the same concerns regarding the quality of work delivered. Additionally, other areas have not consistently met the expected standards. Please treat this communication as a final warning. Consistent and measurable improvement will be essential for you to continue in this role. To support you in meeting the required standards, you are being placed on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) effective immediately. The PIP will be in p
    via AwayGear6906
  • Guys, my manager issued the PIP for me, for the most stupid mistake ever.. And the mistake in question is not using the correct date format in a report..
    via AwayGear6906
  • I'm the only earning person in my family she knows it... Still did this. I'm very clueless.. right now
    via AwayGear6906

  • Commenters gave their takes on the story.

    Recent_Science4... If you are truly being forthcoming, they're just looking for an excuse to fire you. Better look for a job because they're going to fire you.
    via Recent_Science4709
  • redfouro PIPs aren't even performance based in today's world. It's just their way of showing you the door and gaslighting you along the way.
    via redfour0

  • There are lots of metrics to measure your success in the workplace. Maybe you have internal markers of success that you can measure yourself against. Maybe you have concrete goals that you try to accomplish in a certain time frame. Maybe your managers and bosses check in with you about how you're doing, and you have chances to have a discussion about it. You hope that you're given consistent feedback, enough to help you wrap your head around the ways you can improve. You can't read your manager's mind, so the least they can do is spell it out for you. Feedback doesn't always come at the most convenient time or in the most convenient way, though. Sometimes it kicks us down the road and makes us wonder what we did wrong. And when your job is on the line, you often can't afford to receive too much negative feedback. If you do, you might be put on the shortlist for termination. But there are usually a few steps between mistakes and firing. Sometimes that means being put on a performance improvement plan. These words probably send a chill down most of your spines. 

  • soryazlawl Start looking for a job ASAP
    via soryazlawl
  • khanvict85 if you missed the date on the report, which can happen, but assuming it's not the first time or that there were other errors and omissions previously discussed regarding the 'quality' of work.
    via khanvict85
  • you have to maintain your brand and if your brand has become being mistake- prone then perhaps why this has escalated. we're all susceptible to this so don't get down on yourself or start playing the blame game with your manager. focus on what you can control and move on. this is essentially their version of a 2 week notice.
    via khanvict85
  • A female employee puts her head in her hands at her desk
    via Unsplash+ (Getty Images)

    An employee puts her head in her hands at her desk, surrounded by papers

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

  • Nobody wants to be told that they're on the outs at a job. We all want to feel like we're constantly improving, or at the very least maintaining our skills. It's nice to be challenged, and sometimes challenge comes with failure, but consistent failure is an uncomfortable thing. The person in this story was called out for a mistake that they felt didn't deserve to be as big a deal as it ended up being. Scroll on to read the details of the confrontation and see what commenters had to say. Some of them weren't convinced we were getting the full story.

  • Helpyjoe88 "Despite multiple feedback sessions" and 'other areas have consistently not met standard' doesn't sound like a single mistake. This one mistake may have been the last straw before this action was taken, but it doesn't sound like it's the only problem.
    via Helpyjoe88
  • And if you are framing this to yourself as 'this is silly over just one mistake' that may explain why the pattern hasn't been corrected.
    via Helpyjoe88
  • Be... This doesn't sound like "a", singular mistake but a pattern. From an HR perspective (outside of fraud or violence) a documented pattern of behavior (multiple incidents) and multiple corrective/coaching conversations are usually required before you can issue a pip.
    via Beneficial-Sound-199
  • Take responsibility improve or leave and stop playing victim. Continuously failing to meet the requirements of the position and your lack of attention to detail does not make you an employee worth retaining - you've shown yourself to be un- coachable. If you can't do the simplest tasks
    via Beneficial-Sound-199
  • accurately, your boss knows you have no future on the team as you haven't shown you can't grow into more complicated roles when you can't do the one you're in accurately. Question: why do you think your boss should retain a poor employee because they have a family?
    via Beneficial-Sound-199
  • AwayGear6906 OP It was an internal report, in which they follow specific date format Like before any single digit you have to put a 0 like... 01, 02 like this I even immediately disregard this.. But now I see she is just finding ways to kick me out
    via AwayGear6906
  • Space_Nerd_8999 If you disregard the internal date format and they want you to use that format, I mean yeah I see where they are coming from.
    via Space_Nerd_8999
  • timetochangeyourlife Data has to be formatted consistently to be usable. A computer can't always infer that 01/01/2026 is the same as 01.01.2026 or 1/1/26. If someone asked you to put the date in a specific format there might be a good reason.
    via timetochangeyourlife
  • Amazing_rocness I made a mistake once and there was no paperwork or anything like that. I made some minor mistake a few months later and was let go. I barely spoke to my manager most times. I would meet with her like once a week.
    via Amazing_rocness
  • Suspicious_Aspe... Respond asking for the plan to be emailed to you. In your response, include what the infraction/performance issue is and for clarification that that is all that is being addressed.
    via Suspicious_Aspect53
  • This could just be a bureaucratic requirement that they have to address things, send emails, etc... about anything that's going on, and she's just not being clear enough because she's also lost in the sauce, or she wants to avoid saying anything too specific because she COULD be shielding you.
    via Suspicious_Aspect53
  • But... What others are saying could also be true. I have no idea.
    via Suspicious_Aspect53
  • ept_engr They're firing you. We don't know why. It likely has something to do with performance, but we don't know that. This email and pip is just a paper trail to try to avoid lawsuits and paying unemployment. In any case, you need to find a new job.
    via ept_engr
  • I'm the only earning person in my family she knows it This quote worries me because it does indicate a possible lack of personal responsibility. You're trying. to imply that your employer has an obligation to keep you around because you
    via ept_engr
  • need the money, and that's just not how it works. If your family needs the money, the obligation is on you to go above and beyond, deliver outstanding quality of work ahead of deadlines, etc., so that employers really want you there.
    via ept_engr
  • wheatbitsandmilk They've likely wanted you gone for a while and this was the only justification they could find. The reason may or may not be valid but it matters little. Had something similar happen to me- I asked my manager about switching departments, she got upset, I was put on a PIP two months later, 1 month after that I was gone.
    via wheatbitsandmilk
  • Do absolutely nothing at work for the next two weeks besides apply for jobs and interview. Read your company's handbook to see if they have a policy outlining paying out. PTO. Depending on the state, companies are allowed to not pay for
    via wheatbitsandmilk
  • accrued days in certain circumstances. If it looks like they won't pay it out, use some of it. I got burned with this as I had almost 2 weeks banked. Start collecting evidence that supports you. Timestamped emails of positive feedback from your
    via wheatbitsandmilk
  • boss, prior performance reviews, etc. It doesn't have to be glowing, any evidence that you weren't violating company policy. If your company denies your unemployment claim, this information helps when you appeal.
    via wheatbitsandmilk

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