Moving teams can be a practical way to protect your job, income and future options where trust has broken down. Timing matters because formal warnings or an active PIP can narrow internal move routes.
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Return to the Civil Service Performance Management Help hub to find guidance for every stage of the process.
Can you move teams during performance management?
A move may be possible, although the answer depends on the stage, department policy, vacancy rules and whether your current manager must approve release. Options can include a managed move, temporary assignment, loan, secondment, expression of interest, lateral move or external application.
The cleanest opportunity may exist before anything formal is recorded. Once a PIP, warning or capability process is active, it may affect internal applications, references, release decisions or the information that must be disclosed.
When a move may still be possible
- The issue is still informal and no formal outcome has been recorded.
- A different team has a genuine resourcing need.
- A managed move is supported for welfare, health or relationship reasons.
- A temporary assignment or project move can happen quickly.
- A role is available that better matches your skills and experience.
- A senior stakeholder or alternative manager can support the move.
- An external role gives a safer route where internal release is difficult.
How a formal process can affect internal moves
A formal process can follow you internally. Check whether an active warning, PIP, investigation or capability process affects eligibility, release, references or declarations. Do not rely on assumptions. Ask the relevant policy or recruitment contact carefully without broadcasting unnecessary detail.
Keep the explanation positive and limited
A detailed account of being targeted or escaping a PIP can spread the problem. Frame the move around skills, development, work area, location, working pattern or long-term fit unless advice says a fuller welfare explanation is needed.
Members can unlock the stay-or-move decision guide, including how to assess whether the relationship can be repaired, explore managed and temporary moves discreetly, protect references, use delay time to create an exit route, apply externally before options narrow and avoid wording that exposes the developing process.
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