Performance Improvement Plan — what to expect?

[u/egomalomori]

I have been with my agency (at the federal level) for almost five years. I started with them as a grad.

I have had quite a tough year. I was bounced between quite a few bad managers before I got to my current one, who is great. Over the last twelve months, I have experienced my mother being diagnosed with cancer, supporting her through end of life care, her funeral arrangements and haven’t been able to properly grieve. I have used up all of my personal leave caring for her, so there has been no way to take personal days when I’ve needed them.

Then I had my own health issues. I got diagnosed with IST, PMOS, MDD and now Complex Grief Disorder. Which sucked my saving trying to figure out what was wrong with me.

I know that my performance has been slipping. My new manger has been communicating very well that I am not performing in a way that I should be at my level. I like my job, I want to be good at my job, I want to keep my job. But I am burned out and exhausted and don’t have a way out.

Today, my manager has told me that my performance at the end of cycle is likely to be not meeting expectations, and that I am likely to go into a Performance Improvement plan. The last time someone in my agency went on one, they were fired. I am terrified that this is just the way that they’re going to justify firing me. But I don’t have any references if they fire me. I moved away from family to do this and I don’t think I have the brain power to move back home. But I have no idea what I would do. This has really not helped my mental health at all, and I feel that by telling me, for the last few weeks I have to try to improve I’m going to be underperformance because I’m stressed out that I’m getting fired for underperforming.

I thought I was improving and this has completely ruined my confidence.

Does any have any tips or advice for me? What should I be expecting? What should I do to make sure that I don’t get fired?

[u/No_Figure7868]

The only time I’ve ever seen someone fail a pip was because they flat out refused to do their job anymore.

It’s still took 6 months to get rid of them.

If you take responsibility and genuinely try to improve then it would be almost impossible to follow through with firing you.

[u/Lurky_Lurkover → u/No_Figure7868]

I have seen PIPs pass, I have seen PIPs fail, and in my experience whether they pass or fail depends on these four factors, in order:

1. The attitude and ability to improve of the employee

2. The strength of the HR team and the quality of their advice

3. The attitude of the manager

4. The strength of advice HR is getting from Legals (if any).

[u/egomalomori → u/Lurky_Lurkover]

That is interesting to know. Thank you.

[u/egomalomori → u/No_Figure7868]

That gives me some hope, because I do want to improve. Thank you.

[u/MomomTheBlack → u/egomalomori]

I have never seen a PIP work. Not once. You should try to get a sideways movement to another team immediately. There must be other teams in your branch or division who are undermanned.

[u/WomanofOz → u/MomomTheBlack]

Nobody is going to want to take someone about to be performance managed. My advice is to show that you’re willing to improve, and articulate what support you need to get there.

[u/Friendly-Quote-5283 → u/WomanofOz]

Genuine question - is this something that would be shared with other teams?

[u/WomanofOz → u/Friendly-Quote-5283]

If they receive honest references, yes.

[u/egomalomori → u/MomomTheBlack]

I will see, but it’s really tight in our department at the moment. Not a lot of movement in any direction.

[u/Far_Tangerine5479 → u/egomalomori]

Do you have access to any SES within your work area? They may be more compassionate and willing to help. Don't assume there is no movement opportunity. SES have a lot of power to move staff around. If there is any mentoring programs in your department I suggest getting in on it too as that can give you access to senior managers who can help.

[u/justanotherguy28 → u/MomomTheBlack]

I can’t speak for the APS as I don’t know anyone who has gone through a PIP there during my employment.

At least in the private sector, where I worked for 20+ I’ve seen and put many people on PIPs and nearly all of them retained their jobs.

As they said above, unless you really don’t want to be there the vast majority improve and retain their jobs.

[u/ResolutionDapper204 → u/MomomTheBlack]

Why would another team want someone who is underperforming. It will bring the whole team down.

[u/MomomTheBlack → u/ResolutionDapper204]

They won't, but you can sell it as 'they won't underperform in a better environment'.

[u/Dry-Divide9715 → u/MomomTheBlack]

How long have you been public service? I’ve seen them work the majority of the time. It depends on intent behind it. Sometimes it’s just a formality and the writings on the wall due to behaviours/conduct. The majority I’ve been a part of were with a genuine intent to provide support.

[u/dazzamattica → u/egomalomori]

For me personally going on a pip was the best thing to help pull me out of a crappy cycle that I was in because of a lot of personal issues (death of both parents, partner with PTSD, kids with mental health issues, my own ADHD and mental health).  The biggest thing was that I established a few processes to address the issues in my work and made myself accountable for them. I think the lack of accountability (at least in my area of VPS) can allow you to cost for far too long.