Many of our clients first come to us because of signs that they are being pushed out of their jobs. The signs range from obvious to more subtle, but they are equally unpleasant and worrying. This article helps you identify the signs that you are being pushed out at work and gives some guidance on what you can do about it, which is also covered in more detail in our article titled, What to Do If You’re Being Pushed Out at Work (Without Being Fired).
If you are feeling uneasy at work and concerned about changes, you should not ignore it. Even if it turns out you are mistaken, it is important to pay attention to the warning signs so you can avoid worst-case scenarios.
Signs You Are Being Pushed Out of Your Job – The Performance Improvement Plan
We routinely help people going through performance improvement plans (PIP) at work. An employer uses a PIP for one of two reasons (generally), (1) to actually improve performance and (2) to push you out. In our experience, the latter (pushing you out) is the most common reason.
Performance improvement plans are one of the more obvious signs that you are being pushed out of your job. This is a very common situation where we negotiate an exit on behalf of our clients. In most situations, if your employer wanted to keep you, and genuinely wanted to improve your performance, they would not commence a PIP, because they have such a negative stigma and are a pain to manage.
If you are being pushed out of your job, then please call us on 0207 118 9218 or complete a Free Online Enquiry and we will be in touch.
Disciplinary Allegations
Being formally disciplined for something you would have previously been reminded about informally can indicate your employer is building a paper trail to justify your departure. Employers may use disciplinary proceedings as a mechanism to push you out, or create a paper trail to justify dismissal. A common issue with disciplinary proceedings is the difficulty in predicting the outcome. The employer may have no intention to dismiss you, but there is always a risk that might happen. In our article titled How To Beat Disciplinary Hearings, we address ways to tackle this situation.
Changes To Your Job Role
Another common sign you are being pushed out of your job is changes to your job or duties. One of the clearest warning signs is when your workload is suddenly reduced, or meaningful projects are taken away without explanation. This can be a way for an employer to make you feel undervalued and redundant.
Some other examples are:
- Tasks you did routinely are now given to someone else.
- You are left out of important meetings or decisions related to your role.
- Your job title has changed without consultation or explanation.
- You are being asked to do work that is far below your skill level.
- You are assigned menial or administrative tasks that were not part of your original role.
- There is no clear direction or feedback about your performance.
- You are excluded from strategic planning or long-term projects.
- You are being shuffled between departments or reporting lines without clarity.
- Your responsibilities have been quietly removed from internal systems or job descriptions.
These changes may not be formalised in writing, but over time, they can have the effect of sidelining you and are worth keeping a careful record of. If you have more than 2-years service as an employee, changes to your job role and duties may amount to constructive unfair dismissal. In this situation, we recommend that you Stay Employed, Take Advice and Act Quickly.
Conduct Of Your Manager
There may be signs you are being pushed out of your job from various colleagues, but generally the signs are more prominent from your immediate manager/supervisor. Some examples are:
- Being micromanaged.
- Exclusion from meetings.
- You are being ignored or brushed off.
- Your future is no longer discussed.
- You are not given credit for achievements.
If this behaviour starts, it may result in general isolation from colleagues or your team, because they too have noticed the conduct and decide to distance themselves from you.
You Receive An Offer To Leave
There are often situations when the signs move from subtle to direct, where an employer may simply offer you a settlement agreement or invite you to a protected conversation, to directly discuss you leaving the business. This can be upsetting, but may also be an opportunity to maximise the terms of the exit. If this happens, it is important not to accept any initial offer made and take advice as quickly as possible (all settlement agreements must be signed off by an employment lawyer in any event, so taking advice may be inevitable). If an employer is motivated to achieve an exit, if done properly, you may be able to leave and maximise your tax-free compensation, guarantee a reference, and exit with your reputation intact.
Signs You Are Being Pushed Out of Your Job – Why This Happens
Often, employers prefer not to go through the correct formal dismissal process, because it may take longer (and be more difficult) or they may not have justifiable grounds. Instead, they try to make life at work so difficult or unpleasant that you feel forced to leave. If you are unhappy at work, the obvious solution is to start looking for a new job, and when you have found one, to resign and leave. However, this can be a mistake, and you may miss the opportunity to leave sooner, get tax-free compensation, and protect your position and reputation.
What You Should Do If You Spot These Signs
If you recognise some of these signs, do not panic and do not resign. As referenced above, this article may also help, What to Do If You’re Being Pushed Out at Work (Without Being Fired).
Instead:
- Keep written records of everything (emails, changes to duties, disciplinary letters, etc.).
- Take advice early, it could open the door to negotiating a settlement agreement.
- Consider your ideal outcome: do you want to stay and resolve things, or negotiate a clean exit?
At Toner Legal, we help people in exactly this position. You are not powerless, and we are here to help you.
If you are being pushed out of your job, then please call us on 0207 118 9218 or complete a Free Online Enquiry and we will be in touch.
Frequently Asked Questions – Signs You Are Being Pushed Out at Work
How do I know if I am being pushed out of my job?
Common signs include a reduction in your duties, exclusion from meetings, sudden criticism, or being placed on a performance improvement plan without clear justification. If you feel side-lined, micromanaged, or unfairly targeted, it is worth speaking to an employment lawyer to assess your situation.
What should I do if I am feeling pushed out at work?
Do not resign without advice. Instead, keep written records of any changes to your role or treatment. Taking legal advice early can help you decide whether to raise a grievance, negotiate an exit, or take another course of action.
Is being pushed out at work the same as constructive dismissal?
It can be. If your employer’s behaviour or treatment breaches your employment contract and forces you to resign, you may be able to bring a claim for constructive dismissal, but this type of claim requires you to have been continuously employed for at least 2-years.
Can I get a settlement agreement if I am being pushed out of my job?
Yes, in many cases it is possible to negotiate a financial exit with compensation, a reference, and a clean break. This is often preferable to resigning without anything in return. We regularly help clients achieve this type of outcome.
What are my legal rights if I am being pushed out at work?
Your rights will depend on factors such as your length of service and whether any protected characteristics (such as disability, pregnancy, or sex) are involved. If your employer’s actions are discriminatory or breach your contract, you may have legal claims.
Can my employer offer me money to leave?
Yes, this is usually done through a settlement agreement. It may follow a “protected conversation” or an off-the-record discussion. You should always get legal advice before accepting any offer, as you may be entitled to more than what is first proposed.
Is it better to resign or stay if I am being pushed out?
In most cases, it is better to stay employed while taking advice. Resigning without a legal strategy can weaken your negotiating position and reduce the likelihood of a financial settlement. Our advice is usually: Stay Employed, Take Advice and Act Quickly.