I'm feeling some type of way about this. My colleague (we're in the same role, but she sort of mentored me/ I consider her my team leader) I assume will be there to present me with the company's short and long term expectations as far as performance is concerned. I understand the HR (a new person within the company) might not be aware of my performance/all the tasks and responsibilities my current role entails, though I can't help but feel this is some kind of strategic maneuver to make me accept whatever they put on the table out of sheer reverence for this mentor/colleague of mine.
It also irks me that no one discusses their salaries openly (although I know for a fact many people with my same contract get more benefits having similar experience within the company) and I know for a fact the mentor is extremely prone to gossiping, therefore airing my laundry to the whole office.
I'm just not sure of how to go about refusing a meeting that involves her presence when my compensation will be discussed. In fact, she might be already aware of the offer from what I understood from the COO – which pisses me off even more.
Any advice about how to put my foot down about this, without potentially hindering my chances of negotiation should the offer be lower than what I expect for the new role?