Can My Employer Force Me to Sign a PIP After Resignation? Seeking Advice on Legal and HR Actions

Hi all, I was recently provided with a performance improvement document and requested to sign it. I refused to sign the document and submitted my resignation. The manager accepted my resignation within 30 minutes, without even a meeting or reasoning with me. Now, after two weeks, the manager is coming to me with HR and forcing me to sign the PIP document. The person actually has a grudge against me but is playing it very safe. The reason I resigned was for this very purpose; however, he is still not allowing me to peacefully serve my notice period and move forward in my life.

Can HR Take Legal Action?

My question is, can HR take legal action to terminate me or force me to sign such a document? I think my manager is trying to save himself because others are not happy in the team, and one other person left 3 months ago. He tried to play it safe by sending me two communications saying I am below work and then came up with this PIP document. I have received appreciation for my work and training efforts; in fact, I have solved a number of work-related tasks for which I received appreciation. Do I continue to reject or simply sign the PIP document? I am not happy with this management and want to leave the company and go elsewhere; yet, after resignation, I am being forced to do this.

Requesting an Early Release

I also plan on sending an email stating the condition of my family as they are ill. I am requesting an early release. Can someone help me answer, can the company force me during my notice period to sign a PIP document?

Dear,

Do not sign the PIP, even if they are forcing you to do so. Ask them for the reasons behind the PIP, and make sure it is provided to you in writing. What are your targets to achieve during the PIP period?

Thanks,
Sandeep Sharma

They have concocted a variety of reasons and behavior issues and have sent me emails on two occasions stating, "This is your target, and you need to pick up." The problem lies with the Indian managers I am under, as they are jealous of the appreciation I receive for my work. They want to degrade me in front of the US Lead and managers. I have received numerous accolades from them for my efforts and work. I have also received appreciation from the client. I was one of the quickest to learn things when trained; in fact, I was awarded some internal points for this. All I care about now is peacefully leaving the organization. I have just started my career and have run into such a bad manager. I have submitted my resignation, and he has accepted it. I am not sure what more he wants from me. He will have a meeting with HR and wants me to sign the papers then. What does it matter when I am resigning?

Situation Analysis

The manager is receiving questions from US leads about why two people resigned. The other person also left due to this manager's behavior and issues. When the US leads asked, they were told she left for personal reasons. However, when the US lead directly called her, as they had a good relationship, she explained that he is lying and she is leaving because of pressure.

Now, as I am leaving, I think he is in a tight spot and wants to degrade me to show that he did the right thing and nothing bad happened.

Do not sign any document, especially on backdate. The document could be used against you to prove your incompetence. The fact that you have been appreciated by others is important, and that is the reason the manager wants your signature on PIP. Highlight your achievements and appreciations from clients instead. You should press ahead with your resignation and seek a better job.

You have already resigned, and they have accepted your resignation. Do not sign any backdated documents. Keep a copy of all the applications received with you. Stay put on your resignation and move ahead in life.

Regards,
Ashutosh Thakre

Concerns About Signing a PIP Document During Notice Period

The HR is making claims that since I continue to serve the company during the notice period, I am obliged to sign it. Also, my manager just spoke to me and stated that higher management is requiring this to be signed as they are still paying me, and since I am working for the company paycheck. Not sure why they want me to sign it when I have put down my papers. Do they want to humiliate me and terminate me or hold some sort of grudge? They cannot terminate me for not signing the paper, right? Not sure if they are going to create some schemes and falsely accuse me or make up a story and then terminate me.

After signing the PIP, if they terminate me, won't it cause a black mark on my experience, and all my one year of experience will be void? This is what I am afraid of, which is why I submitted my resignation.

Regards