A performance improvement plan may be required when a member of staff is underperforming in their job. Find out more with our sample performance improvement plan.
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Free Performance Improvement Plan Template
Download your free performance improvement plan template
Free Performance Improvement Plan Template
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HR management outsourcing is when a team of experts manage your HR by looking after your contracts, policies, and procedures.
These are the HR essentials every business needs. Without them, your staff could bring successful claims against you, you could lose thousands in legal fines, and even face prosecution. Never underestimate the benefits of HR support for a small business.
We have years of experience in providing HR for SMEs and HR management outsourcing. Contact us to see how we can support you, including HR advice for small businesses - as well as medium and large companies.
Good human resource management is having round the clock support when you need it the most.
Whenever there’s a staff challenge or an important legal update, you just pick up the phone and get the help you need – no matter the time or place.
The main benefits of HR outsourcing are:
- Cost saving: Reduces the expenses for such things are hiring, training and employing an in-house HR team.
- Time saving: Saves time for staff members away from HR tasks.
- Improves expertise and compliance: Provides ongoing advice and support to ensure complete and total compliance.
- Reduces risk: Reduces the risk of any payroll and compliance failures.
Outsourcing HR is cheaper than hiring internal staff and saves you money overall when it comes to your HR service. Plus, you avoid making mistakes that could cost you heavily in claims and legal fines down the line. Every business should consider HR support as a way to avoid claims.
Peninsula is one of the leading HR outsourcing services in the UK, and by working with us you get access to our HR advisory service. Contact us for your outsourced SME HR today.
The key functions of HR outsourcing services are:
- Payroll and benefits: Helps a business to manage employee wages, tax processing, and employee enrolment.
- Recruitment and onboarding: Helps with job descriptions, sourcing new candidates, interviewing, and ensuring a smooth onboarding process.
- Compliance with employment law: Helps to ensure compliance with ever-changing employment legislation.
- Employee relations: Helps to manage grievance and disciplinary procedures, and any ongoing support that's required.
- HR admin: Helps to handle and manage daily tasks, such as employee records, sorting employment contracts, and processing any leave requests.
- Training and development: Helps to create and deliver staff training programs to improve employees' skills.
It’s easy to forget boundaries and professional conduct at social events. So if it’s time to invite your staff to a festive party, it’s a good opportunity to set important rules around conduct.
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Why would you need a performance improvement plan?
A performance improvement plan may be required when a member of staff is underperforming in their job. You will suggest a plan during the performance review of a certain employee. And there are a number of scenarios that you need to be aware of that could lead to a plan being implemented.
Such as:
Ongoing bad management skills.
Lateness and poor time management. .
Absenteeism.
Excessive time wasting.
Standards of work quality dropping.
Causing preventable accidents.
Workplace conflict.
Slow working speeds.
Not meeting expectations.
If the above actions continue, you may place an employee on a performance improvement plan. A PIP is put into place following a performance review or a one-to-one appraisal between an employee and their line manager.
But don’t worry, our experts have created a free performance improvement plan template ready for you to download and use when needed.
What is a performance improvement plan?
A performance improvement plan (PIP) is a document that outlines performance issues relating to a certain employee in order for them to meet their performance goals. Including any possible reasons, as well as ways for them to improve. Ultimately, there may be personal reasons behind their dip in performance that you weren’t previously aware of.
A performance improvement plan can include the following:
A plan for the future.
Goals that are achievable.
An open discussion about ongoing performance issues.
A list of trainings gaps or skills required.
Expectations regarding future conduct.
The plan will set out smart goals on performance expectations, successes and challenges they may face – all within a prescribed timeframe, and with measurable objectives and improvement goals.
It’s important to remember this action plan isn’t considered a disciplinary step, but is used alongside these steps if it isn’t completed.
When should a performance improvement plan be used?
An performance improvement plan should only be used in your business as a last resort, if other informal methods of improving employee performance haven't worked.
All other avenues should be explored before a performance improvement plan is used, such as an informal conversation. If a PIP is needed, then download our performance improvement plan template - or contact our experts for free advice.
How does a performance improvement plan work?
A performance improvement plan works to improve performance of an employee. But, it makes up part of the overall performance improvement process.
The performance improvement plan template that we have created outlines the below steps in more detail, so you can improve their performance.
For example (but not limited to):
Refer to current policies.
Have an informal chat.
Have a capability hearing.
Provide a warning, with the right to appeal.
Access your free performance improvement plan form template now, and manage your underperforming employees correctly. This template can be used when conducting a performance improvement plan review in the future.
Best practices for performance improvement plans
When using a performance improvement plan in your business, it's important you know what the best practices are to follow.
Such as:
Use a performance improvement plan at the correct times: Communicate with the employee about the possibility of a plan being used before creating one.
Know when to avoid using a performance improvement plan: Don't use a plan as a box-ticking exercise, and be aware that they can't solve any personal issues between an employee and their manager.
Use the correct metrics to track objectives: For example 360-degree feedback, training metrics, and regular performance reviews.
What are the benefits of a performance improvement plan?
As an employer there are many benefits of a performance improvement plan, such as increased your employee retention rate. But others include:
Creating a positive company culture.
Improvement the employee experience and relationships.
Improves communication between an employee and their manager.
Saves time and money on hiring or firing.
Sets clear expectations.
Provide the employee with regular feedback.
Download our free performance improvement plan form template now, and help your business to feel these benefits.
How to write a performance improvement plan UK
When creating a performance improvement plan for one of your employees, it's important you know what to include. Once you know this you can use this as your performance improvement plan example, which can further be used during a performance improvement plan review.
Follow the below steps:
Involve the employee: the whole point of the plan is to help an employee, so they should be involved during its creation.
Draft the performance improvement plan: draft the plan and include all required details, such as achievable goals. You can download our performance improvement plan template which can help during this stage.
Include training or coaching: throughout the plan, training may be needed to help the employee further - as well as during the performance improvement plan review. Make sure any training that's needed is included.
Conduct a review: set a timeframe for improvement, and schedule in a performance improvement plan review with the employee. This will help to see if desired improvements are being made.
Download our performance improvement plan example today and ensure you're doing all you can to improve your employee's performance.
What should a performance improvement plan include?
A performance plan should include numerous points, such as a statement of the issue - for example the reasons for the improvement plan. Others include:
Improvement goals: goals should be included within the plan, however these should be achievable and quantifiable as time goes on.
Any required support and resources: the plan should include any training and resources to support the employee in order to improve their performance.
Ongoing timeframes: the plan should include a timeframe for improvement, as well as future check-ins to monitor progress.
Consequences of employee failure: the plan should include what will happen if the employee in question doesn't meet the above goals, for example disciplinary action.
Download your free sample performance improvement plan now
Our team of experts have put together a free performance improvement plan template that will make up part of your overall performance improvement plan. So you can resolve the issue of poor performance in your business swiftly and correctly. Access your performance improvement plan form template now.
If after downloading our performance improvement plan template you still need advice, Our teams provide 24/7 HR advice which is available 365 days a year. We take care of your business needs when you work with our HR experts.
Peninsula also offers documentation services, handbooks and policies to suit your needs and stay compliant. Want to find out more? Contact us on 0800 028 2420 and book a free consultation with a qualified HR consultant today.
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