Put yourself in the shoes of Alice Jones, the executive who is being considered for termination in the Netflix case study. What objections or concerns might you express during the negotiation session if you were Alice Jones? Some examples could be:
Alice claims the action being taken is discriminatory and threatens to sue for wrongful termination.
Alice requests job placement or relocation benefits in order to transition to another job.
For your first post, share three objections you would make if you were Alice Jones. Then, propose responses from Sharon Slade that would help steer the process to a successful conclusion and help maintain a positive relationship between the two parties.
Full Answer Section
Rationale: By acknowledging Alice's past performance and providing concrete examples of recent concerns, Sharon aims to maintain some transparency and potentially open a discussion about improvement within the current role (if that's the goal).
Objection 2: Lack of Transparency and Due Process:
- Alice: "I feel blindsided by this conversation. Were there attempts to address these concerns before considering termination? Wouldn't additional coaching or a chance to improve be a fairer approach?"
Sharon's Response: "Alice, you're right, the timing might not be ideal. Ideally, we would have addressed these concerns earlier. However, given the nature of the issues and the impact on [mention specific areas impacted], we felt termination was the most appropriate course of action. That said, we are open to discussing a severance package that reflects your contributions to the company."
Rationale: Sharon acknowledges the lack of clear communication and expresses willingness to discuss a severance package. This can potentially soften the blow and show some appreciation for Alice's past work.
Objection 3: Alternative Solutions and Impact on Personal Life:
- Alice: "Termination would cause significant disruption to my family and finances. Is there any possibility of a demotion or reassignment to a different role where I can address the concerns and contribute my skills?"
Sharon's Response: "Alice, we understand the impact this will have on you. Unfortunately, there aren't any open positions that seem like a good fit for your current skillset and the concerns we've mentioned. However, we are willing to offer a generous severance package, including outplacement services and extended health benefits to assist you in your job search."
Rationale: While Sharon expresses limitations on alternative placements, offering a generous severance package with outplacement services demonstrates a level of support to help Alice transition.
By expressing these objections, Alice can advocate for herself, understand the situation better, and potentially negotiate a more favorable outcome, even if termination seems inevitable.
Sample Answer
Alice Jones' Objections and Sharon Slade's Responses:
Objection 1: Performance Concerns and Lack of Documentation:
- Alice: "I'm surprised by these termination discussions. My performance reviews have consistently been positive, and I haven't received any formal warnings about my work. Can you provide specific examples of performance issues that justify this action?"
Sharon's Response: "Alice, I understand your surprise. The decision wasn't taken lightly. While your past reviews have been good, there have been recent concerns regarding [mention specific areas of concern with concrete examples]. We didn't want to put you on a formal PIP (Performance Improvement Plan) at this stage, but these concerns contributed to the decision."