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Original poster

Being put on PIP

112 replies

Rose38 · 30/05/2025 06:50

Yesterday I had a performance review with my manager and it went really badly. She was going on and on about mistakes I had made which were true. She is saying she wants to put me on PIP end of June and it will last 3 months and if I don't improve they can let me go.

Although I don't disagree with the issues she has mentioned, I have not been told anything in my monthly one to ones with her. Nor has she at any point let me know I need to focus on this particular area or anything.

She said yesterday that I don't seem to have grasped the basics of my job which I feel is not fair to say since only in March she signed me off as permanent. Had this been the case then surely you would at least extend someone's probation?

Just for background towards the end of April I had a really bad miscarriage. I didn't go off sick but took a day & a half holiday (to see the hospital). Physically and mentally the whole thing was draining and I guess I dropped the ball slightly at work. My manager is aware of this but when I was back at work, she didn't even ask me how I was and if everything was ok. I've basically had to update her myself when we had monthly meetings (as some ongoing issues from that miscarriage happened).

I feel like the way my performance review has been done seems a little unfair. I agree with where they have placed me and also that they won't be giving me a pay increase due to this but I feel like being put on PIP is a bit much considering the circumstances. And they didn't even give me any indication that anything was wrong or give me a chance in the lead up to rectify things.

Just really wanted a second opinion on how things work in other companies around this sort of thing. Thanks for reading.

OP posts:
Biropens · 30/05/2025 06:54

To be clear, you do agree with the issues and were aware of them?

Biropens · 30/05/2025 06:55

Rather than get indignant about our being put on pip and look for ways to get out of it… why not just work to improve your performance?

SoftandQuiet · 30/05/2025 06:57

Do you mean Personal Independence Payment?

Biropens · 30/05/2025 06:58

Performance review @SoftandQuiet

Biropens · 30/05/2025 06:58

Performance Improvement plan

katmarie · 30/05/2025 07:00

It sounds like you haven't been with the company long, if you're just out of probation? So the reality is if you're not up to standard they could have just let you go. The fact that they haven't is likely because they know you had a miscarriage and are trying not to make it look like they're letting you go because of that.

If you agree that things haven't been quite right, the pip is the opportunity to put things right and show that you can do the role. It might sting a bit to be put on it, but try and view it relatively constructively. You recognise there are issues, you can put them right, and then move on from it.

Original poster
Rose38 · 30/05/2025 07:01

Biropens · 30/05/2025 06:54

To be clear, you do agree with the issues and were aware of them?

I knew I had made mistakes. But everyone on the team makes similar mistakes. In my case, it may possibly have been a higher amount because as I said I did drop the ball when I went through that miscarriage. My manager said I need to work more slowly so that I don't make mistakes as it's about quality and not quantity.

I don't agree with the part about not knowing the basics of my job. She mentioned one example of a question I should know the answer to. But to be fair ask any of the team about different things and there will be at least one area for each person they are not familiar with and do not know the answer to.

And I don't understand why they have never mentioned any of this before. Yes I knew I had made mistakes but honestly some of the examples she said had never been mentioned before nor was I aware that they had happened.

OP posts:
TucanPlay · 30/05/2025 07:03

So sorry for your loss, it sounds as though work have not been very supportive at all.
Focus on improving in the areas you know you need to but also make sure this is a joint process with your line manager, ask for support/ training/ feedback. And make sure notes of meetings are accurate. I'd be inclined to pull up the minutes of previous meetings and clarify when their concerns began, then check this against company policy.

thrive25 · 30/05/2025 07:03

Sorry for your sad circumstances: it’s understandable that performance would take a hit

You haven’t been there long and say you have not performed well: I think you need to try to hit the standards as it seems a ‘fair’ PIP linked to underperformance

Yes: a meeting ahead of this with an informal discussion might have been more appropriate and would happen in some other companies

Consider they may not want you there if not performing esp if they think you will go on maternity leave in next year or two

I think you just have to try to meet the standard now or look for a different job

Original poster
Rose38 · 30/05/2025 07:03

katmarie · 30/05/2025 07:00

It sounds like you haven't been with the company long, if you're just out of probation? So the reality is if you're not up to standard they could have just let you go. The fact that they haven't is likely because they know you had a miscarriage and are trying not to make it look like they're letting you go because of that.

If you agree that things haven't been quite right, the pip is the opportunity to put things right and show that you can do the role. It might sting a bit to be put on it, but try and view it relatively constructively. You recognise there are issues, you can put them right, and then move on from it.

It's been 15 months basically. Prior to this things were fine and in the monthly meetings my managers have been positive. There were things earlier on they wanted me to learn about to improve which I did. Haven't had any idea that anything was wrong until now.

OP posts:
Original poster
Rose38 · 30/05/2025 07:05

Sorry I probably wasn't clear...prior to this performance review everything was going really well. I've never had a discussion like this. Afew of the team were on PIPs last year but turned things around.

OP posts:
Topplantpot · 30/05/2025 07:06

I think this sounds fair - you knew you’d made mistakes, you need to work hard to improve your performance - it sounds like you have not passed the two year mark before that they can let you go quite easily for performance issues. The probation period doesn’t mean much.

Biropens · 30/05/2025 07:06

Rose38 · 30/05/2025 07:03

It's been 15 months basically. Prior to this things were fine and in the monthly meetings my managers have been positive. There were things earlier on they wanted me to learn about to improve which I did. Haven't had any idea that anything was wrong until now.

Show quote history

You passed probation in March? You’d already been there a year at that point?

what is your absence rate like?

Biropens · 30/05/2025 07:06

Rose38 · 30/05/2025 07:05

Sorry I probably wasn't clear...prior to this performance review everything was going really well. I've never had a discussion like this. Afew of the team were on PIPs last year but turned things around.

So… why don’t you do the same?

thrive25 · 30/05/2025 07:06

Rose38 · 30/05/2025 07:05

Sorry I probably wasn't clear...prior to this performance review everything was going really well. I've never had a discussion like this. Afew of the team were on PIPs last year but turned things around.

Sounds like they use PIPs to address performance then rather than get people out: in which case can you try to do as your colleagues have done & meet the standards?

AlorsTimeForWine · 30/05/2025 07:08

I think there are 2 sides but it reads even from your pov there are some performance issues.

You acknowledge you've made mistakes.

From her pov:

She probably didnt want to drag you over the coals again in 1:1s potentially because its repetitive potentially due to miscarriage, maybe a bit of both.

Equally she was probably being led by you re how much you want to open about about your miscarriage.

It's clear there are perceived performance issues.

I get it stings but if you aant the job you'll need to engage.

I'd be clear that you feel your performance has been good, hence passing probation, but you acknowledge you've had a tough few months and now you want to engage with the pip and get back to required standard. Ie. Lean in

Biropens · 30/05/2025 07:09

thrive25 · 30/05/2025 07:06

Sounds like they use PIPs to address performance then rather than get people out: in which case can you try to do as your colleagues have done & meet the standards?

Show quote history

Exactly!

Op you recognise you’ve have performance issues

others were put on it and “turned it around”

so rather than try to extricate yourself from it…. “Turn it around”

Original poster
Rose38 · 30/05/2025 07:09

Biropens · 30/05/2025 07:06

You passed probation in March? You’d already been there a year at that point?

what is your absence rate like?

Show quote history

Actually I think I used the wrong word saying probation...I mean they made me permanent in March when I had been there a year. Which is the usual way things go unless any issues.

OP posts:
Biropens · 30/05/2025 07:10

Rose38 · 30/05/2025 07:09

Actually I think I used the wrong word saying probation...I mean they made me permanent in March when I had been there a year. Which is the usual way things go unless any issues.

Show quote history

So you’d been a temporary worker before then?

Biropens · 30/05/2025 07:10

Absence rate?

RedRock41 · 30/05/2025 07:11

Your focus is not helpful. Your Manager is telling you now what needs to happen and when. PIP will give you a chance to improve.
You’ve already admitted that the mistakes are a fair cop. Trying to argue technical details such as they shouldn’t of made you permanent in March or that they should know you aren’t firing on all cylinders etc misses the point.
If your preferred outcome is to remain employed, don’t blame your employer for how they identify and opt to address matters. Instead take it on the chin, do your best to improve and engage with the process and you can also state at your next review that you have been struggling a bit since end April and why but you do want to improve and meet their expectations.

OddBoots · 30/05/2025 07:11

"I knew I had made mistakes. But everyone on the team makes similar mistakes. In my case, it may possibly have been a higher amount because as I said I did drop the ball when I went through that miscarriage. My manager said I need to work more slowly so that I don't make mistakes as it's about quality and not quantity."

I am sorry to hear about your miscarriage. Does your manager know about the miscarriage? Are you able to show that the majority of the mistakes were at around this time? As pregnancy is a protected characteristic could you show that the mistakes were mostly then and ask your manager if they could wait and see if your work is now better before going down the PIP route.

Greenartywitch · 30/05/2025 07:12

This is bad management (I am a Head of Team).

The process when it comes to performance issues is to first make the employee aware of what the issues are and to support them in turning things around, not to go straight to a PIP out of the blue.

Reading between the lines, do you think they are suddenly doing this because they know you are trying to get pregnant?

I would email your manager and copy HR and ask in writing the question as to why there was no warning about your performance.

In many instances being put on a PIP unfortunately means the organisation is trying to get rid of an employee so you need to start documenting everything.

Original poster
Rose38 · 30/05/2025 07:13

Biropens · 30/05/2025 07:10

So you’d been a temporary worker before then?

Show quote history

Yes...everyone new has to be temp until the one year mark. And if they are happy with performance then they put you on a permanent contract.

Absence wasn't great but HR were supportive and I provided all the doctor notes etc. It has been much better since then.

OP posts:
Biropens · 30/05/2025 07:13

Just accept it
work hard
turn it around
all good op