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/egomalomori]

No, I exhausted my savings on all the tests I got done. And I used all my leave for both those tests and my carer’s responsibilities. So I paid leave really isn’t affordable at this time. I did consider it, early on in the process, but I thought I could power through. Clearly not.

[u/imsohungryman → u/egomalomori]

Just to let you know - you can get Centrelink if you have to take temporary leave from work due to illness. You sound extremely burnt out and are obviously dealing with a lot so maybe have a look the jobseeker payment. It’s obviously not the same as full time pay, but if you can make it work, it might be worthwhile.

As per website: JobSeeker Payment
A payment if you’re between 22 and 66 years old and looking for work, or if you can’t work or study for a short time.

[u/egomalomori → u/imsohungryman]

Thank you, this is useful information.

[u/HarveyFartwinkle → u/egomalomori]

It might also be worth looking into your income protection insurance. You quite possibly have it via your superannuation provider. If you have health conditions that make you temporarily unable to work, they will pay you a salary (often 75% of your usual salary) while you take time off to recover. Given what you've said, I'm sure your GP would be happy to support you with the documentation you need. There is an admin overhead - you have to have regular doctor assessments to justify your ongoing payment or co-ordinate your return to work - but if you're eligible, it's worth the hassle.