Strategies and Actions

• Consult human resources to address early indications of poor performance.

• Provide training and mentorship to support struggling employees or identify reassignment opportunities that better align with struggling employees' abilities.

  • Agencies should not pass around struggling employees from job-to-job.
• Document all steps and communications carefully.

• Use Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs) to improve unacceptable performance on one or more critical elements of a performance plan.

  • Partner with human resources to develop and provide sample PIP templates and coaching support to supervisors.
• Take appropriate administrative action where employees fail a PIP or otherwise demonstrate unacceptable performance on work assignments or other requirements.

• Make full use of probationary and trial periods for new employees.

  • Conduct a thorough, timely assessment of a new employee’s performance during the probationary period to determine whether the employee is fit for continued Federal service.