What this tool does
This planner helps you prepare for a tricky conversation with someone at work, whether it is about underperformance, conduct, attendance, a sensitive personal matter or difficult feedback. It gives you a clear, fair structure to follow.
It is practical guidance to help you prepare, not formal HR or legal advice.
When to use it
Use it when you have a conversation coming up that you are dreading, when you want to handle it fairly and professionally, or when you are not sure how to open it or what to say.
How it works
You tell it what the conversation is about, who it is with and briefly what is happening. It then gives you a plan: how to open, the points to make, wording to use and avoid, how to listen, and what to agree as next steps. Nothing you enter is saved, and you do not need to give your name or email to use it. For conduct, capability or anything sensitive, follow your organisation's policy and involve HR, as the right process protects everyone.
Ask The Managers Guide a question
Ask our editorial team a question and we will reply with our advice. Tell us as much about your situation as you can: the more detail you give, the more useful our answer can be.
You do not need to use your real name. Please do not include your full address, phone number, email address, or the names of other people. We may edit or remove identifying details for privacy and legal reasons.
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