At work, I have been on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) which I did not meet the requirements for. I've had some meetings with management which were ambiguous, but they said that my talents can't be maximized at the company and asked about future career plan. Does this sound like I'm being encouraged to resign (退職勧奨) and do you think it's a good idea to find a lawyer at this point given I want to continue my employment?
Any advice in general, like should I just wait and see if I get fired, and consider legal measures at that point? I'm 24, graduated university from New York in February 2024, and started working at this company in early March 2024. I have been applying to jobs but I think I should wait at least until March 2026 (two years employment) to quit because changing jobs after only 6 months probably looks bad for my career.
Thank you everyone for suggestions.
See my previous post for some background: https://old.reddit.com/r/japanlife/comments/1drvccd/preparing_for_dismissalpipbeing_asked_to_resign/
Some details:
My employer in my unlimited duration employment contract is an "employer of record" in Japan. I started working there in early March, passed my probation in early June. Since my start of employment, I have been assigned to the Hong Kong office of a company based in the UK, for which I do my day-to-day work on a 100% remote basis from Japan.
I'll elide these details because the crux is the meeting I had and what it actually means, but my PIP began on 2024-07-05 and ended on 2024-08-30. The main objective of the PIP was to achieve my sales targets. In July, I achieved ~120% of the target and in August, I achieved ~80% of the target.
On Wednesday 2024-08-28, during my weekly Zoom meeting with my manager, he told me that he saw that I did very well in July, but in August, my performance was not good, and that overall I did not achieve the requirements of the PIP. At the end of the meeting, he asked if I have time to "catch up with [vice president's name] to discuss next steps" the next day, Thursday 2024-08-29, and I agreed to meet over Zoom at his suggested time. He then told me:
Actually, Rob [not my real name], tomorrow's conversation, um, is going to be difficult. It is the least favorite part of my job, and I'm very, very sorry. You know, I can't tell you what exactly we will talk about, but please know that tomorrow, I will not be speaking as myself, but as a representative of the company. I really want you to remember that.
On Thursday 2024-08-29, I met with the VP and my manager was also in attendance in the Zoom call. We had a conversation that went for 1 hour (originally scheduled for 30 minutes). The VP told me that "I haven't spoken to you for a long time, but from the company's standpoint, it is difficult for us to see that there are ups and downs in your performance." She went on to say that "we don't think that our role can maximize your talents, your ability" and that:
I am here today to discuss whether you want to pursue the further career in [the company] or move on to another role and move to another company, so, um, I don't really think, because you have already tried for six months, I also feel … you are really struggling on hitting the target or performing overtime work. Rather than this, shall we just consider if we can move to another role or company?
I told the VP repeatedly that I suspect the company is wanting me to resign, but I am not considering resigning. Nevertheless, the VP asked me over and over again why I'm not willing to consider it, to which I told her that I believe that the Company offers excellent career growth opportunities, so my stance of not resigning remains firm. I wrote in email afterwards that "I am not at all interested in resigning".
Also, I did not say this in the conversation, but I do not work overtime because overtime is not paid at this company, although we have a performance-related bonus. Almost all members except me keep working until 9 or 10 PM at night, but I usually decline to work overtime because my manager said that the reason why overtime is not paid is that all employees are on a voluntary overtime model.
Update 2024-09-01 0:01 Thank you very much for everyone's input. I really appreciate all the advice as it has been a bit stressful, to be honest, as well as a very complex landscape. My contract is a unlimited duration employment contract with the entity in Japan, and according to the union representative, it affords the same protections that any employee with an unlimited term contract would have. I did not sign anything related to the PIP. It was sent to me by email and discussed in early July. However, unfortunately, I didn't state any opposition to the PIP. Regarding moving on, it's a work from home job (stipulated in the contract), so I'll be disappointed, but I think it is an option that I consider based on the outcome of my interviews with other companies.
Correction 2024-09-01 12:54 Earlier, I stated "However, unfortunately, I didn't state any opposition to the PIP", but I meant to say "However, unfortunately, I didn't state any opposition to the PIP in writing." During the initial meeting about the PIP, I told my manager orally that I care about doing my best work and want to make sincere efforts to improve any areas in need of improvement, but I cannot accept the terms of the PIP that stipulate termination as a possibility. For anyone in a similar situation, it is probably best to state your opposition in writing.
by siajjasnnd