I was put on an unfair PIP by my toxic manager. Here's how I fought it and went on to get promoted.

• When this store manager at L'Oreal was asked to meet with her manager and HR, alarm bells went off.
• She was put on a performance improvement plan she thought was unfair by a manager she found toxic.
• She said keeping receipts and not being afraid to stand up for yourself were key to surviving PIP. 

This as-told-to essay is based on a transcribed conversation with a former employee at L'Oreal who spoke on the condition of anonymity to protect their career. Business Insider has verified their employment at L'Oreal and their performance improvement plan. The conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

I'd been working at L'Oreal for about two and a half years when I got an alarming text from my manager.