If someone’s having performance issues is it common for managers and supervisors to play good cop bad cop?

[Anonymous]

Issue with a coworker. The manager and the immediate supervisor are pretty much playing good cop bad cop… he’s on a PIP plan and believe me this supervisor airs everyone’s dirty laundry he doesn’t do anything but complain.

It’s better to just be direct and honest then play these little games. The supervisor and the manager have serious problems with one another to start off with and this individual on the PIP plan is extremely disgruntled now.

He’s figured out that he can stir the pot even more and when he got into trouble he basically went to the manager and said all the things to the manager that he was saying to him and others. Including finding out that the manager is on a PIP plan… Manager FLIPS his shit at all of us. Screaming at us that’s not information we should know.

Pretty much one supervisor was pulling him one direction and the other in another. But he was siding with the manager saying “he has a higher authority therefore I have to complete tasks assigned by him first”.

Now they’re using another coworker to “retrain” him pretty much. That’s not a supervisor playing the good cop and the supervisor has been on leave now for what he said about the manager.

Updates

8 mo

So. He was doing what “bad cop” wanted to appease him and good cop who was really supposed to be working with him got overruled.

[Anonymous]

PIP plan?

[Asker]

Yep.

[Asker]

But this has just made the issues 100 times worse. The manager and supervisor are fighting a lot more. Pulling him in different directions.

[Opinion Owner]

What’s a PIP plan?

[Asker]

Performance improvement t

[AI Opinion]

In my experience, the "good cop, bad cop" dynamic can emerge in workplaces, although it is not always constructive. Open communication and consistency in feedback are more effective for addressing performance issues. A Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) should focus on clear goals and development rather than conflicting strategies. It's essential for leadership to align and address internal conflicts to cultivate a supportive work environment. If you're navigating this situation, consider engaging in open dialogue and seeking clarity on expectations. It may also be helpful to encourage a focus on collective goals rather than personal disagreements.