Performance Improvement Plan

Performance Improvement Plan

Performance Improvement Plan

The plan identifies specific deficiencies, states required improvements with measurable criteria, provides support and resources, and defines the review period and consequences of failure.

Placement on a plan may itself be an adverse action.

Alternative Names:

PIP|Performance Plan

Why it Matters?

Vague criteria undermine the plan's evidentiary value, since a plan requiring improved communication without measurable benchmarks cannot demonstrate objective failure and invites the argument that the outcome was predetermined. Specific, measurable, and achievable criteria are what make the record persuasive. Following Muldrow, plan placement itself may constitute an adverse action, which affects how the plan should be documented and communicated.

Frequently asked questions

What undermines a performance plan?

What undermines a performance plan?

Vague criteria without measurable benchmarks, which invite the argument that failure was predetermined.

Is plan placement an adverse action?

Is plan placement an adverse action?

Potentially following Muldrow, which lowered the threshold for what constitutes actionable adverse treatment.