Privy to colleague’s impending firing - it sucks

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In my experience, "obliviousness" is a tactic used by individuals under a lot of stress. There are cases where a person is truly oblivious to events around them, but I think in most cases, she/he knows that the work environment has changed, she is being shut out, heavily criticized, ignored, whatever. There often isn't a way to fix the issue, so the person hopes that by keeping her head down, the issue will blow over. And sometimes it does blow over because the issue becomes a non-issue or more information comes to light that takes the person out of the firing line.

Obliviousness is the sane thing to do under the circumstances. There is zero upside to showing fear, stress, vulnerability in a situation like this. OP's colleague is very likely applying and interviewing for jobs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well why are they firing her?

Must not be government.

Cultural fit issues;
Skill no longer fit for Business’ new direction: ie planned to do in house development but decided to outsource;
Found cheaper resources, etc…
It’s not a problem, making a random business decision personal is where the issue is.

That's corporate speak for someone in power does not like her. Unless it's a large layoff, these decisions are rarely about business decisions. The hostility shown to OP's colleague, to push her out without having to do the firing, is proof of it.

Yeah, I agree, having been in this person's shoes. I wasn't really oblivious though (I was desperately interviewing elsewhere).
Speaking from my experience, I think this person will be much better off in the long run. Passive-aggressive people suck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:Is she on a PIP?

No, but they’ve been increasingly hostile to her in recent weeks/months (she is a junior person working with senior leaders).

This is a very immature and petty way to deal with employees. Being hostile shows the emotional maturity of an 8 year old.

This is the typical white old men senior management behavior.

No, this is 1000% mean girl behavior

Coincidentally, it’s also old male senior behavior. Meaning they behave like mean middle school girls in the workplace. And then complain about Gen Z wanting a more emotionally mature workplace experience. Go figure….

Amen. I’m excited for millennial managers to start taking over. It’s bumpy out there but it’s happening.

Uh millennials are definitely in the management ranks and have been for years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is she on a PIP?

No, but they’ve been increasingly hostile to her in recent weeks/months (she is a junior person working with senior leaders).

This is a very immature and petty way to deal with employees. Being hostile shows the emotional maturity of an 8 year old.

This is the typical white old men senior management behavior.

No, this is 1000% mean girl behavior

Coincidentally, it’s also old male senior behavior. Meaning they behave like mean middle school girls in the workplace. And then complain about Gen Z wanting a more emotionally mature workplace experience. Go figure….

Amen. I’m excited for millennial managers to start taking over. It’s bumpy out there but it’s happening.

Uh millennials are definitely in the management ranks and have been for years.

Not in greater numbers than genx and boomers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is she on a PIP?

No, but they’ve been increasingly hostile to her in recent weeks/months (she is a junior person working with senior leaders).

This is a very immature and petty way to deal with employees. Being hostile shows the emotional maturity of an 8 year old.

This is the typical white old men senior management behavior.

No, this is 1000% mean girl behavior

Coincidentally, it’s also old male senior behavior. Meaning they behave like mean middle school girls in the workplace. And then complain about Gen Z wanting a more emotionally mature workplace experience. Go figure….

Amen. I’m excited for millennial managers to start taking over. It’s bumpy out there but it’s happening.

Uh millennials are definitely in the management ranks and have been for years.

Yes, some even Directors and VP's. And even better Partner 😌

[Anonymous]

I think this is a very small organization. Am I right, OP?

[julie73]

OP, did things improve for her?