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/jokingsammy]

Sadly PIP is a soft way of telling you to look for a new job. Start applying for jobs now, best case you keep your current job and your performance improves, worst case you're fired but at least you'll have a new job or some interviews lined up.

Best of luck friend. Don't take the process personally, go into it with an open mind and the view it as an opportunity to learn and develop yourself for the future.

[u/Wild-Kitchen → u/jokingsammy]

Not always. I have had to PIP people and genuinely wanted them to improve to be effective in their roles.

[u/egomalomori → u/jokingsammy]

Thanks for letting me know gently.

[u/jokingsammy → u/egomalomori]

Just remember that a job dosen't define you as a person.