u/Confident-Meal3845

I had to get this off my chest. A while ago, I was looking for a new job, and a really interesting role popped up on my feed. I submitted my application, and an old colleague of mine also put in a good word for me with the hiring manager. The HR call went great, and they told me I was a perfect fit. After that, I met the hiring manager, who was very impressed with my experience, even if I wasn't the ideal match on paper. He told me he was confident I could handle the job without needing any guidance.

After that, I met a C-level exec, who basically told me I was exactly what they needed.
And this is where things started to get weird. Over the next few months, I went through 5 rounds with 9 interviews with directors, department heads, and everyone you can imagine. They told me three times that an offer was on its way, but each time they came back and said, "Sorry, we need you to meet with another department head."

Meanwhile, about 4 months into this mess, I had started interviewing with another company. I got an offer from them within just 6 weeks. I had already passed their background check and set a start date, and the first company was still asking me to do 'one last' interview.

I had reached my limit. I sent an email to the hiring manager and HR, saying: 'I truly appreciate the time you've dedicated to this process, but after 5 rounds and 9 interviews over 7 months, and being told three times that an offer was on its way, I must respectfully withdraw my application.'

The hiring manager replied fifteen minutes later, saying it was just one final call. I replied to him immediately. I told him I wouldn't consider another interview unless they could present an offer better than the one I currently had. I laid everything out for him: the better title (which was senior to his own), the higher salary, and the signing bonus.

His response was brief: 'That's a great offer, unfortunately, we couldn't make it work.'
And here's the kicker. I found out last week that he was among those who were let go in the recent layoffs. Honestly, some companies are their own worst enemy.

My manager pulled me aside about two weeks ago and said that my performance review was rated below expectations, and that they're going to put me on a PIP next week. And honestly, he basically told me outright that I should expect them to let me go as soon as it ends.

He also hinted to me more than once that I should resign so there wouldn't be a termination on my record. I've read a lot about this, including many posts here, and I'm still not sure what the smarter decision is.

I'm in KS, and from what I understand, state law allows a former employer to share the reason I left the job with a potential employer, along with some other basic employment information. So if I'm fired, it seems like they could tell future jobs that, and that could hurt my chances.

I have 4 weeks of PTO saved up, but I can't find anything in the employee handbook or KS law saying they're required to pay it out to me if I'm end.

There's another annoying detail too: I can't find my employment agreement anywhere. Honestly, I don't remember whether I signed one or if it was just the usual onboarding paperwork.

If these issues didn't exist, I'd say there's a 95% chance it would be better to let them fire me. But from where I stand now, the only real benefits are that I'd keep getting paid during the PIP period and might be eligible for unemployment. But I work at a huge company, and I'd be surprised if they didn't try to contest it.

So what would you do in my place? I don't want a termination following me around and ruining my job search prospects later, but at the same time I don't want to leave several weeks of pay on the table for no reason.