TRTT

As some of you know, I am an employment lawyer. Typically, I negotiate agreements for executives – employment, severance and separation agreements. At times, I’m retained to assist with drafting a response to a performance improvement plan (PIP) or poor performance reviews. Over the years, I’ve come to the conclusion that PIPs and bad performance reviews are really just a notice of a termination. If you are ever given a PIP at your job, start dusting off that resume because at the end of it, you’re getting canned. This realization led me to the conclusion that PIPs are…well…BS. Were I to run my own company, I doubt I’d use a PIP. Or if I did, I would use it as it was originally intended – to help someone improve their performance. If I wanted someone gone, I would just say to them:

“Hi. Thanks for coming in today. You no longer work here. You’ll be getting three weeks of pay to help you through the transition. Best of luck.”

I call it, The Real Terminator Technique ©. If ever there was an organization that has embraced the TRTT, it is the NFL. Last night when I went to bed, the Raiders had a head coach. When I woke up six hours later? The Raiders were shopping for a new coach and Dennis Allen was preparing himself for the unemployment line. Grant it, he’s had a horrible record since he was hired – and this year the Raiders started 0-4. But talk about harsh? They kicked him to the curb over the phone, (after coming in from London).* Ouch.



This on the heels of the announcement that Kyle Orton will be starting for the Bills, and EJ Manuel will be getting very familiar with the bench.** EJ takes over bench riding after having an abysmal QB rating in the first three games and having almost as many INTs as TDs. Not quite fired – but just as good as being put on an indefinite time out.

What I’ve noticed over the past 2 years or so, there are no more PIPs and no more poor performance reviews in the NFL. Back in the day, coaches and QBs were generally allowed to finish out the season. Not so much these days. Fans and owners want to see wins. Big wins. There is no more patience, and frankly it looks like there is no more rebuilding years. People want it all NOW. And if you can’t deliver, the NFL is quick to show you the door.

Hey, them’s the breaks. Hopefully these changes will result in a little more parity for the Bills and the Raiders. I doubt it. But maybe…




*Which is lunacy. But that’s a rant for another day.

**Yet another QB falling into the sophomore slump. I just love it when I’m right.