How to Run a PIP and Set Objectives That Actually Work

A plain English guide for UK managers who need to run a Performance Improvement Plan properly: fairly, legally and with a real chance of the person actually improving.

What is inside

• What a PIP actually is (and what it is not), aligned with ACAS guidance
• The process step by step, from the informal conversation to the final review
• SMART objectives explained simply, with the weak version and the strong version compared
• Worked examples from real workplace scenarios you can adapt
• The common mistakes that undo a PIP at tribunal, and how to avoid them

With unfair dismissal protection dropping to six months of service from January 2027 under the Employment Rights Act 2025, a fair and documented performance process is about to become one of the most valuable habits in your business.

Instant download in PDF format. Written for employers in England and Wales. Guidance current as of June 2026. This guide is general good practice, not legal advice.