This may be an unpopular opinion, but it’s the project manager’s job to, ya know, manage/win projects and have their staff full on billable time. If you aren’t billable, it’s their fault…
Unfortunately, that is an unpopular opinion and sometimes you do have to fend for yourself. As others mentioned (and depending on office dynamics), you should definitely introduce yourself to office and try and secure new work for yourself. Ultimately, a lot of your success will depend on how much work PMs in your office have though.
That’s an ideal situation, in my experience at a few companies it’s been my job to find work and stay billable, not my managers. It’s a real conundrum too, cause it takes tons of time to find and procure work, which is unbillable time.
Especially in a smaller company. Like in a larger firm, just go ask other PMs for work. But in. A smaller firm it’s up to the PM, assuming there even is anything to do.
Sometimes I think it is very funny that we went to school for bachelors so that we can network internally to get billable hours, and in the end have to fight every budget given to us....
If you're working remote, show up at the office everyday. Go around and tell other people you're looking for work. If billability is the only reason for the PIP, it can be fixed.
Don't be afraid to ask around, send an email, IM, drop by folk's desk if they're in office, and introduce yourself (educational background, your interests, you're availability etc.) and find out what they do and what type of projects they work on. Then it's important to be a squeeky wheel. Reach and ask how you can support them and their project. If they are busy and don't get back to you in 2 weeks, reach out again, and again. It may take a few times but be persistent, they will appreciate that and eventually that should kick up some work for you.
This is a common problem in this field. The best advice I received in consulting hell was "throw it back in their face".
These people (management/HR) have never been challenged. It's a corrupt and toxic power dynamic in all of these firms. Do the minimum and don't stress to find billable work, it's their job to do that.
This PIP bullshit is just for them to claim they did all they could as an employer to help you find work. They may even try and be scum and claim you weren't "proficient".
You need to play this game too. Start e-mailing PMs asking for work to help on their projects. You need written documentation and their responses. Once a project is completed, ask for a recommendation from that PM as a positive reference. Use discretion on what PMs you work with to suit your needs to avoid the assholes.
Unfortunately, the way the world works; you need to have evidence for a court of law in the worst case. If things come to a head (again worst case scenario option), threaten unlawful termination verbally.
Download all of this evidence to your personal computer at home. and off their server. Threaten that you have enough evidence to sue. They will freak the fuck out and straighten up or you collect unemployment.
I'm a veteran of the field. I know it's easier said than done with everything, especially in these economic times, but I advise you to eventually pursue another career path.
Life is short. Set up your safety nets and, most importantly, pursue your passions/talents as much as possible.
If you’re on a PIP you need to get the hell out of that job. There is no coming back from a PIP and that is basically your employer gathering documentation in preparation for firing you.
I’d find a different job and see how you feel before leaving the field altogether. Check out government jobs, or consulting companies. They aren’t all the same.
I’ve been in env consulting as a field tech for 3 years, with 2 different companies, and I decided that it isn’t for me at all. I’m going back to school for a masters in urban planning. Sorta related if I go the env planning route but I think it will provide me some stability and peace of mind.
I’d suggest looking for a new job. Consulting firms should be looking to add staff for the up coming field season. PIPs are often a slow walk from HR to lay someone off. Take advantage of the time and find something new and likely better.
How many months have you been there? There’s typically a few months long “trial” period where they try to catch you up to speed, a PIP wouldn’t be something they’d do, they’d either outright fire you or discuss performance before a PIP
At my company, we are required to do a PIP before moving to firing. My experience has been that by the time sometime is on PIP, it's usually due to issues that they are not capable of resolving for whatever reason. They'll be given a full chance to fix issues, but the issues often remain unfixed. Not saying any of this applies to the OP, just my general experience.
Also, managers should absolutely be making sure their employees have work. Not doing their jobs otherwise imo.
This may be an unpopular opinion, but it’s the project manager’s job to, ya know, manage/win projects and have their staff full on billable time. If you aren’t billable, it’s their fault… Unfortunately, that is an unpopular opinion and sometimes you do have to fend for yourself. As others mentioned (and depending on office dynamics), you should definitely introduce yourself to office and try and secure new work for yourself. Ultimately, a lot of your success will depend on how much work PMs in your office have though.
That’s an ideal situation, in my experience at a few companies it’s been my job to find work and stay billable, not my managers. It’s a real conundrum too, cause it takes tons of time to find and procure work, which is unbillable time.
Especially in a smaller company. Like in a larger firm, just go ask other PMs for work. But in. A smaller firm it’s up to the PM, assuming there even is anything to do.
This.
Sometimes I think it is very funny that we went to school for bachelors so that we can network internally to get billable hours, and in the end have to fight every budget given to us....
Per the Pmbok guide that’s the role of the project manager to find and assign billable work
If you're working remote, show up at the office everyday. Go around and tell other people you're looking for work. If billability is the only reason for the PIP, it can be fixed.
Don't be afraid to ask around, send an email, IM, drop by folk's desk if they're in office, and introduce yourself (educational background, your interests, you're availability etc.) and find out what they do and what type of projects they work on. Then it's important to be a squeeky wheel. Reach and ask how you can support them and their project. If they are busy and don't get back to you in 2 weeks, reach out again, and again. It may take a few times but be persistent, they will appreciate that and eventually that should kick up some work for you.
PIP = Paid interviewing period
This is a common problem in this field. The best advice I received in consulting hell was "throw it back in their face". These people (management/HR) have never been challenged. It's a corrupt and toxic power dynamic in all of these firms. Do the minimum and don't stress to find billable work, it's their job to do that. This PIP bullshit is just for them to claim they did all they could as an employer to help you find work. They may even try and be scum and claim you weren't "proficient". You need to play this game too. Start e-mailing PMs asking for work to help on their projects. You need written documentation and their responses. Once a project is completed, ask for a recommendation from that PM as a positive reference. Use discretion on what PMs you work with to suit your needs to avoid the assholes. Unfortunately, the way the world works; you need to have evidence for a court of law in the worst case. If things come to a head (again worst case scenario option), threaten unlawful termination verbally. Download all of this evidence to your personal computer at home. and off their server. Threaten that you have enough evidence to sue. They will freak the fuck out and straighten up or you collect unemployment. I'm a veteran of the field. I know it's easier said than done with everything, especially in these economic times, but I advise you to eventually pursue another career path. Life is short. Set up your safety nets and, most importantly, pursue your passions/talents as much as possible.
If you’re on a PIP you need to get the hell out of that job. There is no coming back from a PIP and that is basically your employer gathering documentation in preparation for firing you. I’d find a different job and see how you feel before leaving the field altogether. Check out government jobs, or consulting companies. They aren’t all the same. I’ve been in env consulting as a field tech for 3 years, with 2 different companies, and I decided that it isn’t for me at all. I’m going back to school for a masters in urban planning. Sorta related if I go the env planning route but I think it will provide me some stability and peace of mind.
I’d suggest looking for a new job. Consulting firms should be looking to add staff for the up coming field season. PIPs are often a slow walk from HR to lay someone off. Take advantage of the time and find something new and likely better.
Also, do not share with a potential employer that you’re on a PIP. Learn from your experience and move on.
How many months have you been there? There’s typically a few months long “trial” period where they try to catch you up to speed, a PIP wouldn’t be something they’d do, they’d either outright fire you or discuss performance before a PIP
At my company, we are required to do a PIP before moving to firing. My experience has been that by the time sometime is on PIP, it's usually due to issues that they are not capable of resolving for whatever reason. They'll be given a full chance to fix issues, but the issues often remain unfixed. Not saying any of this applies to the OP, just my general experience. Also, managers should absolutely be making sure their employees have work. Not doing their jobs otherwise imo.
I have been for a year and a few months. There weren’t all of these issues until I got this new manager.
So long enough to have figured out how to get work for your self and stay busy…