I’ve been working at this startup for a year and a half. The team that started with roughly 15 – is now a team of 4 including the CEO/founder.
He announced to the three of us that from now on we need to skip all the pleasantries – from now on there will be no positive feedback. You will only know if you’re doing a good job, by still having a job here. He said – you’ve all gone very quiet, how do you all feel about this? My other two colleagues said yes – sounds good. I said that I just would need to take some time to process it. He said, ‘good – we all need some time to think about it, because this change is happening’. I’m regretting I didn’t just say ‘sounds good’ but the way in which this was delivered left me feeling quite uncomfortable – considering three colleagues were let go the week prior – ‘because they weren’t bringing in more money than their salary’.
I have never felt psychologically safe here and this just instilled even more fear in me. I also feel like this is no way to lead, encourage or motivate a team. It's hard for many people to feel like they are making progress if they only hear what they are falling short on. It doesn't position your superiors as allies. Therefore you don't build trust and loyalty.
I now have a massive target on my back – I was pulled aside and berated for being honest and needing time to process that in front of my two other team members. I have given everything to this company – minimum 12 hour days, on call 24/7, working on holidays, skipping lunch breaks as more of the workload fell on me with the employees around me dropping like flies. Logistics one day, customer service the next, in between redesigning our website and managing new products. I always did it with a smile on my face because I cared.
I reiterated, I have no problem with receiving direct and constructive criticism, however unfortunately the way it was delivered made me feel uncomfortable.
He said, basically get used to it, because that was me being direct. ‘Really have a think about whether you want to work here, and let me know when you’re ready to talk.’
Short and simple, I want out – but I don’t have anything else lined up. I want to resign more than anything, and I know he was baiting me to resign so that he wouldn’t have to pay severance.
Do I swallow my pride, smooth things over on Monday and attempt to save my job so I can at least find something else. The reality is, I have really seen his true colours and I feel like if I stay, my life will be made hell.
Alternatively, do I stand my ground and let him know it will be my last day on Monday?
It’s also very likely he has already made his mind up and will fire me anyway.
Appreciate any advice in what you would do in this situation. I feel like a mess.