; (B) communicating and discussing employees’ progress relative to performance goals and objectives, and conducting performance appraisals; (C) mentoring and motivating employees and improving employee engagement, performance, and productivity; (D) effectively managing employees with unacceptable performance, including training to understand the disciplinary options and procedures available to the supervisor; (E) prohibited personnel practices, employee rights, and the procedures and processes used to enforce employee rights; (F) effectively using the probationary period to examine whether an employee has demonstrated successful performance or conduct to continue past the probationary period; (G) addressing reports of a hostile work environment, retaliation, or harassment of, or by, another supervisor or employee; (H) collaborating with human resources employees to recruit, select, appraise, and reward employees to build a workforce based on organizational goals, budget considerations, and staffing needs; and (I) carrying out the duties or responsibilities of a supervisor. (f) Covered employee defined In this section, the term covered employee means an employee of the Department of Veterans Affairs who is— (1) a supervisor (as defined in section 7103(a) of title 5, United States Code); or (2) a covered individual under section 713 of title 38, United States Code.