Incident Summary
State date, time, location, and factual description of the conduct or performance shortfall. Avoid opinion language; include objective metrics or examples to support any claim.
A written CPP clarifies expectations, creates a verifiable record, and reduces ambiguity that can lead to disputes. Properly completed plans can support consistent enforcement, protect against discrimination or wrongful-termination claims, and document remediation efforts required by employment policies or union agreements.
Use the CPP when managers need to document performance issues and HR must track corrective action.
Keep all drafting and approvals centralized so file integrity and retention follow company policy and applicable law.
State date, time, location, and factual description of the conduct or performance shortfall. Avoid opinion language; include objective metrics or examples to support any claim.
List specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) targets that the employee must meet. Tie each target to observable behavior, metric thresholds, or deliverables.
Specify the review window (for example, 30 or 60 days), interim checkpoints, and dates for formal evaluation and potential next steps, including further action if goals are not met.
Document training, coaching sessions, accommodations, or temporary workload adjustments provided to support the employee in meeting targets and removing legitimate barriers.
Identify the signer roles (employee, manager, HR representative) and the order of approvals; record dates and signatures to confirm acknowledgment and receipt.
Reserve space for progress notes, interim reviews, and final disposition; maintain version history to show document updates and outcomes.
| Field Mapping | Map document fields to HRIS attributes for automatic indexing |
|---|---|
| Approval Order | Manager > HR > Employee or Manager > Employee > HR depending on policy |
| Notifications | Enable email/SMS reminders at configurable intervals |
| Retention Tag | Apply retention policy tag to trigger archival or deletion |
| Authentication Mode | Email link, SMS code, or stronger verification as required |
Ensure the platform you use supports secure signing, audit trails, and integration with HR systems for long-term recordkeeping.
Choose a platform that fits your security, retention, and integration needs; confirm HIPAA, SOC 2, or other compliance requirements for sensitive records.
Employee should sign or acknowledge within 3–5 business days of issuance
Commonly set to 30, 60, or 90 days depending on the issue
Schedule at least one midpoint review during the improvement period
Ensure payroll and benefits changes align with payroll deadlines
Employer filing deadlines such as Jan 31 for W-2 recipient distribution
Manager presents the CPP and documents the issuance date and facts
Employee follows the plan during the defined remediation window
Manager documents progress and updates the record for HR
HR records result and next steps: closure, extension, or further action
| signNow | DocuSign | Adobe Sign | PandaDoc | HelloSign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $8/user/mo | $15/user/mo | $14/user/mo | $19/user/mo | $15/user/mo |
| Free Trial | 7-day free trial | Varies by plan | Varies by plan | Varies by plan | Varies by plan |
| Bulk Send | Yes (available on Premium tier) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Varies |
| Audit Trail | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HIPAA Compliant | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |