Facing Unfair Sales Targets: How Should My Friend Handle This Job Threat?

Please suggest to me regarding a situation with one of my friends who is working in the Sales Department of a company. He has been working there for the past 1.6 years. Recently, the company sent him an email stating that he must achieve a target of 10 lakhs. However, his boss is well aware that achieving this target in a single month is not feasible. Previously, he was tasked with managing existing accounts as per management directives. Now, the company is insisting that he must achieve this target; otherwise, it will be his last month.

He has an appointment letter from the company, which states that if termination occurs, he will be paid two months' salary. However, the company is now creating this kind of situation, and five other employees have already been terminated in a similar manner. After receiving the email, he discussed the matter with them, and they advised him to continue working, promising a discussion after a month. Can you please provide guidance on how he should handle this situation and what would be the best course of action?

Sit down with the Sales boss/head and discuss the targets. Present the factual status of current sales achievements, the areas covered, and all factors impacting sales. Compare the sales target of Rs10 lakhs with targets set for similar salesmen in similar operational areas. If you find the target unreasonably fixed with no flexibility in approach, it indicates the management's intentions clearly. Gather all facts and figures and then request time for a detailed discussion.

Hello Rohitran1234,

What the management has in mind may be an intention to fire and looking for excuses. A direct talk with management and bringing facts and figures to notice will at least show that their decision is biased and motivated. The employee needs to look around for other jobs in the meantime while discussing the facts of his target versus achievement.

Thank you.