Performance Improvement Plan (PIP)

Many companies use Performance Improvement Plans (PIP), which is a formal document to address alleged performance issues.  It usually outlines specific expectations, areas of improvement, and a plan to help the employee meet those expectations.  Generally, there is an end date or time frame.  It is meant to coach and help employees improve, but many times, companies use PIPs or other coaching documents to segway an employee out of their job.  When this happens, it points to the companies papering the employee’s file to separate their employment.  It can be truly because of performance concerns or it can be a cover up for something illegal, such as retaliation and/or wrongful termination.