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Performance Improvement Plan (PIP)

Free performance improvement plan template documenting specific performance gaps, expectations, and a review timeline.

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This free performance improvement plan (pip) covers Performance Concerns, Expectations Going Forward, Support Provided, Check-in Schedule, Consequences with 7 clearly marked [placeholder] fields to fill in — built for small business owners and first-time managers handling an HR moment professionally without a dedicated HR department to lean on. Copy it into your own word processor, fill in the placeholders, and review it — or adapt it — before use. It's part of docstoc's free document template library, alongside business, legal, real estate, finance, and HR templates. Every template here is free to copy with no signup required, and each one carries a plain disclaimer: this is a starting point for informational purposes, not a substitute for advice from a licensed professional in your jurisdiction.

Template — click to edit

Performance Improvement Plan

Employee: [Name] · Role: [Title] Manager: [Name] Plan Start Date: [Date] · Review Date: [Date, typically 30-90 days out]

Performance Concerns

[Specific, factual description of the performance gap(s) — cite dates/examples, not generalizations like "bad attitude."]

Expectations Going Forward

Area	Current State	Expected State	Target Date
[Area 1]	[Description]	[Description]	[Date]
[Area 2]	[Description]	[Description]	[Date]

Support Provided

[What the manager/company will do to help — training, check-ins, resources.]

Check-in Schedule

[Frequency of progress reviews during the plan — e.g. weekly 1:1s.]

Consequences

If performance does not improve to the expected level by the review date, further action may be taken, up to and including termination of employment.

Manager signature: ______________________ Date: ____________ Employee signature: ______________________ Date: ____________ *(Signature acknowledges receipt, not necessarily agreement with the assessment.)*

*This document is provided for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. A PIP that's vague or inconsistently applied can itself become evidence in a wrongful-termination claim — be specific, be consistent across employees, and involve HR or legal counsel for anything contentious.*

Edit directly in the box above. Download PDF anytime — the docstoc.io footer is always included and cannot be removed.

What's included

Edit online — click the document, fill in placeholders, download a PDF
5 standard sections: Performance Concerns, Expectations Going Forward, Support Provided, Check-in Schedule, Consequences
7 clearly marked [placeholder] fields for quick personalizing
Free to use — no account or signup required
Fully editable — adjust any clause to match your actual situation
Includes a signature block, ready to print or sign digitally
Fixed docstoc.io footer on every PDF (not removable)

Who this template is for

Freelancers & solo founders

Handling routine business paperwork without commissioning custom legal drafting for every document.

Small businesses

Standardizing recurring documents — leases, agreements, notices — across a growing operation.

Anyone reviewing before signing

Using a clear starting structure to understand what a document should cover, even if a lawyer finalizes it.

Growing teams

Formalizing hiring and performance processes as a company adds its first employees.

FAQ

Is this performance improvement plan (pip) template really free?

Yes, completely free — view, edit, and download this performance improvement plan (pip) as a PDF without creating an account.

What does this performance improvement plan (pip) cover?

This hr template includes Performance Concerns, Expectations Going Forward, Support Provided, Check-in Schedule. Fill in the [bracketed] placeholders, edit any clause online, then download a PDF — the docstoc.io footer stays on every export.

Is this legal advice?

No. Employment documents sit on top of a mix of federal, state, and sometimes city labor law — at-will employment rules, required notices, and what you can and can't put in writing all vary. Have an employment attorney or HR professional confirm this fits your jurisdiction before you use it.

Can I edit the wording?

Yes — edit directly on the page, adjust any section or clause, and re-fill the 7 placeholder fields to match your situation before downloading a PDF. It's a starting structure, not a rigid script.

Where can I find more free templates like this?

Browse more free hr and related document templates in the docstoc library at /document-templates/.

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