Performance Improvement Plan Template
60-day structured improvement with measurable objectives. Performance improvement plan template — 60-day structure with measurable objectives, milestones, HR sign-off. $49.
Single buyer, lifetime license — covers your business, free quarterly refreshes when laws change.
Not legal advice — review with counsel before signing.
Document details
A Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) is one of the highest-stakes HR documents — used when an employee's performance has fallen below expectations and continued employment depends on improvement within a defined period.
This template provides the structural integrity required for the plan to serve as either a genuine path to improvement or a defensible record if the improvement doesn't happen. Both outcomes need the same scaffolding: measurable objectives, scheduled check-ins, documented evidence, and signature acknowledgments.
What's in the template
7 sections, ordered from setup → assessment → support → close.
- 1Performance concerns section with evidence framework
- 23-5 measurable objectives template
- 330/60-day milestone structure
- 4Support commitments (1:1 cadence, training, resources)
- 5Consequences language with at-will preservation
- 6Three-signature acknowledgment block
- 7Editorial notes on writing measurable objectives
Who this is for
- →HR practitioners and people teams handling performance & review in US
- →Small-business owners running HR without a dedicated team
- →Managers preparing for a high-stakes employment conversation
- →Fractional HR consultants and PEO firms
- →In-house counsel partnering with HR on documentation
What you receive
- ✓Editable Microsoft Word (.docx) — open in Word, Pages, or Google Docs
- ✓PDF copy for archival + sharing
- ✓Google Doc-compatible export
- ✓Editorial guidance notes explaining each section
- ✓Single-buyer, lifetime commercial-use license
- ✓Free quarterly refreshes when law or best practice changes
- ✓Instant download — link emailed within seconds of payment
- ✓7-day refund window if the template isn't what you needed
Legal frameworks aligned
- Title VII of the Civil Rights Act 1964 — anti-discrimination
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) — reasonable accommodation
- Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) — protected leave
- Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) — wage & hour
- State-specific final-pay rules (CA, CO, MA, MT — same-day)
Reference list — this template is designed to be defensible under these frameworks when used as intended. Not a substitute for counsel on a specific matter.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a PIP run?
30-90 days, with 60 most common. Less than 30 isn't enough; more than 90 feels like surveillance.
Path to termination, or chance to improve?
Both — but most PIPs end in termination. The plan should be structured as a genuine path to success: achievable objectives, real support, manager engaging in good faith.
HR involvement?
Yes, from the start. HR reviews before issuance, attends day 14/30/60 check-ins, signs off on final decision.
Can the employee push back?
Yes. 24-48 hour window between receiving draft and signing final. Signature acknowledges receipt, not agreement.
Performance Improvement Plan Template — $49
Editable .docx + .pdf + Google Doc. Instant download. Single-buyer lifetime license. Free quarterly refreshes.