Actually, it is a favor. The employee is effectively being asked to leave and they're doing a controlled transition. In many cases, this is the best way to go.

Actually, it is a favor. The employee is effectively being asked to leave and they're doing a controlled transition. In many cases, this is the best way to go. This is _similar_ to firing people by putting them on a "performance plan"-- which as almost everyone knows is the "nice way" to fire someone in a corporate environment. Anyone who is put on a "performance plan" had better start searching for a new job immediately. It is definitely better than being fired outright, but there's a phony aspect to calling it a "performance plan". The approach in the article, I think, is more honest and instead of beating around the bush, gives an opportunity for the employer and employee to transition. For example, the employee would then be free to get out of work and go to interviews and the employer could have the employee train their replacement, all with minimal hard-feelings.