(For the sake of this post, I'm using the word 'manager' a little generically to include directors and others that have direct reports.)
I realize that there isn't an official avenue for an employee to take a voluntary layoff.
But at the same time, don't managers usually keep a list (even if only mentally) as to who is at the top and bottom to be chosen if it comes to that?
Long story short, I'm wondering how you would handle an employee that respectfully tells you that they want to be laid off because they're chronically unhappy in their role. Would you be inclined to oblige them? Or would you ignore their request in favor of other metrics you use to determine that? (This excludes scenarios where you're told specifically who to cut.)
I can already hear replies telling me that the bank wants unhappy people to quit on their own. I get that, but most aren't going to do that. And if a manager isn't overly thrilled with an employee's performance that wants to be let go, it seems a win-win to grant the wish.
If the employee is totally failing then I assume the avenue would be PIP followed by termination. But for this post, let's assume someone is mediocre but not rising to the level of PIP.
I guess if nothing else, what happens when an employee tells you they want to be at the top of the list?