THE MOST HATED WAY OF FIRING SOMEONE IS MORE POPULAR THAN EVER. IT'S THE AGE OF THE PIP

Summary from the TLDR newsletter

The use of performance improvement plans (PIPs) is on the rise. PIPs usually list tough-to-achieve goals to be completed within 30 to 90 days. Failure to complete the tasks results in termination of employment. They are intended to bring consistency and fairness to the way employees are judged and managed, but both workers and managers dread them. This post presents a guide to PIPs and how to navigate them, as well as alternatives to the practice. One common tactic for employees placed on PIPs is to file for a leave of absence, which stops the clock on the PIP, allowing the employee to job hunt without having to explain a resume gap to prospective new employers.