Mina finds herself in a meeting with her HR and immediate manager. Her performance in the last two quarters hasn’t been up to their expectations. Mina is often late with her deliverables, costing the organization precious time. However, the quality of Mina’s work is superior. They don’t want to let her go even if she’s repeatedly missing deadlines.
This is where Mina is right now. The meeting is about creating a performance improvement plan for Mina so she can continue to work in the organization. With measurable goals, regular check-ins and other factors involved, they hope Mina can fulfil her responsibilities and learn time management.
Your organization can retain exceptional talent even if they’re lacking in certain areas. Organizations often turn to performance improvement plans or PIPs to discuss goals and monitor their employee’s progress. This is a great way to boost morale and give them another chance to prove themselves.
Discover how a PIP is created and some examples of a performance improvement plan.
Performance Improvement Plan Sample Elements
Examples of a complete performance improvement plan have similar elements that you may choose for your own business needs. For instance, if your employee’s performance has deteriorated in the past month or two, you may want to encourage them to upskill or rebuild their skills. This can form part of their measurable goals in the PIP. (https://www.theseedpharm.com/)
Any sample improvement plan for employees will comprise the following steps:
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Set A Performance Benchmark
The first step any decision-maker must keep in mind is to set well-defined performance goals. For instance, if you want output to increase by 20% in 3 months, you must mention this in the employee’s PIP. Setting a benchmark not only helps your employees focus on their goals but also helps them track their progress in case they steer off the path.
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Define Clear SMART Goals
SMART goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-Bound. Setting SMART goals in the PIP helps not just the employee but also the organization give proper guidance, support and encouragement to their employees. Clearly defined goals help an individual get from A to B in predetermined steps. Thus, you have yourself a roadmap which makes it easy to keep track of their progress.
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Communication Expectations In Terms Of Skill Development
There may be cases where you need your employees to upskill or develop new skills and refine existing skills to improve performance. It’s important to communicate these expectations right at the start. Skill development can be a productive aspect in a performance improvement plan sample. It motivates employees to give their best shot and relearn some skills that may help them deliver high performance in the workplace.
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Offer Regular Feedback And Check-Ins
Feedback and check-ins are a foolproof way to make sure everything runs on track. If the employee has to complete tasks within a set period, they may benefit from fixed timelines and regular check-ins with their managers. This way, they even get a chance to address any concerns, queries or updates they may want to share.
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Establish Terms In The Absence Of A Follow Through
A performance improvement plan sample should include terms in the event that an employee doesn’t follow through. They must be made aware of how their contract will play out if they fail to meet the SMART goals defined in their PIP. This can act as a motivator for them to power through and do their best.
Examples of a performance improvement plan can vary based on your business needs. But good practice is to add some aspects of skill development. This gives your employees a chance to be better at what they do. If you show interest in their development, this will automatically inspire them to accomplish their objectives.
Investing In Employee Skill Development
Drive transformation in the workplace by encouraging your employees to upskill with Harappa’s High Performing Leaders program. For employees who may be having trouble keeping up, our curated learning solutions will help them get back on track. Our program includes 15 must-have Thrive Skills like building a growth mindset and effective communication skills.
If it comes to performance improvement plans, what you, as a decision-maker, can do is push your employees to get better at their job. Retaining talent will not only help you reduce employee turnover but also build loyalty, trust and long-term commitment to your organization. Visit our program page to learn more about what we offer and how we can cater to your organization’s needs!
Explore Harappa Diaries to learn more about topics such as Who is a Project Manager, Must-Have Skills For Leadership, Top Behavioral Skills For Managers, Operational Manager Skills & Managerial Roles And Skills that will help organizations tap into their employee’s potential.