Pay Me to Go Away

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The Game Plan

You go to your boss one-on-one and say, "You know, Sarah, it seems very clear that there's a mismatch between my skills and the company's needs." Or, "There's a mismatch between the direction of my role and where the company is headed." Then you say, "I would love to hear your thoughts, but every forward-looking scenario in my head leads to the same conclusion, namely me and the company parting ways."

Now stop and listen to what your boss has to say, and watch his or her face for a reaction. There's a chance that your perceptions are wrong. It may also be the case that the boss is one step ahead of you and has arranged for you to transfer to an exciting new position in another department. But if neither of these good outcomes fits the bill, you'll press on.

"So I was thinking that there may be a resolution to this problem, one that would serve us both. I don't want to quit, as I don't have another job nor any time for job-hunting. And I don't imagine that you want to start a disciplinary process to move me out of here. But I believe there is a Third Path."

Saving Face for All

What's the Third Path? Simply that the company pays you a sum to move to your next endeavor. Don't be shocked: This happens in Corporate America every day. It's typically a huge relief to a manager to hear that there is a way out of his or her predicament, one that saves face for all and lets the company move along with its business.

The typical severance package in a Third-Path scenario (mind you, it's very sensitive to tenure and organizational stature) is about three months to four months for a middle manager. You'll say, "I would think that we could work out a package that would allow me to exit quickly and gracefully. Do you agree?"

Now, there are companies that deploy the Third Path routinely and others that don't. So you may find that your manager is completely freaked out by your suggestion, or even indignant. "Why, why, we don't pay people to leave of their own accord! If you don't like the job, you can resign." But be patient. I can't tell you how many times I've observed a manager reacting gruffly to a Third Path proposal, only to calm down over a few days' time and realize that it may be the best course of action for all concerned.

Breathing More Easily

And there's no downside to your boldness. If the manager says "no dice," you continue doing your job to the best of your ability. Send a sincere e-mail message that says "I appreciate your feedback and am committed to making this assignment work. Thanks for your continued support and encouragement." If, however, your manager agrees to the Third Path scenario, you'll breathe a lot more easily.

Some companies will ask you to stay and work during those last few months. In effect, they're giving you some time to interview and find another position, before your job goes away, while others will happily announce your going-away party and hand you a check for the agreed-upon weeks of severance. Either way, you're off the bubble, and you've got a little time to plan your next move.

If the company chooses to pursue a verbal warning-written warning-execution path, so be it. You can start job-hunting any time. But you may find that your Third Path overture succeeds and gets you quickly on your way to greener pastures without undue worry about the car payment. Wouldn't that be the best of all?

Liz Ryan is an expert on the new-millennium workplace and a former Fortune 500 HR executive.