|  |                 I, too, had an "interesting" experience with the ODP. I 
        once worked for a group that I had been in for many years (BTW - 
        no names here of either group or people) when we got a new boss. 
        All went well for a while until something (I still do not know 
        what, and neither did my co-workers) happened. The boss started 
        to set up to get rid of me (not just to another place in DEC, 
        but out the door!). He, with the help of the Personnel Rep, put 
        me on written warning, and then proceeded to make it impossible 
        for me to comply with the mandatory "get well" plan which is 
        part of a written warning. I, at the time, didn't see the axe 
        coming until I got "relieved of all duties" and given (he 
        thought generously) a month at my desk with nothing else to do 
        but look for another job. I was told that I should be looking 
        outside by both him and the personnell rep. 
                
                I decided that I wanted to stay with the company, and 
        that I had a good enough record to warrant that expectation. 
        (BTW - previous reviews had been from good to good enough to 
        get not only a raise, but an adjustment increase as well!) So, I 
        started looking around in an intensive manner. (Yes, I told both 
        the boss and the pers. rep. what I was doing. Boy, were they 
        upset!) After three weeks, I had two and half probable job 
        offers, and needed about another two-three weeks to let things 
        go through. 
                
                I then went to my boss and asked for the additional 
        time, and, as expected, got turned down flat! I then went to see 
        his boss for the same reason. Success!! He gave me (at his 
        suggestion) another 4 weeks! That was all that was needed. (BTW 
        - I was prepared to keep going up until I got what I needed. 
        Luckily, I didn't need to!)
                
                So, for me the ODP worked! This was about 6 years ago, 
        and I have been getting good reviews since. 
                
                /s/     Bob
                
              
p.s. The boss is still with the company! (Don't bother asking, I won't 
        mention names.)
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