Performance reviews: Key to success

By Charles Murphy

Murphy

any employees are busy with annual performance reviews this time of year as units across the University prepare their salary budgets for the upcoming fiscal year.

Whether you are receiving a review or giving one, such performance evaluations play a vital role in helping all of us understand how we contribute to the success of the University.

While annual reviews of job performance are required by University policy, I hope that employers and employees see each session as more than a requirement.

Annual evaluations help develop consistent approaches to performance management. And they provide an opportunity to focus on defined performance goals that support organizational and departmental strategies.

But they also are a chance for employers and employees to receive feedback about job expectations, discuss past performances, and to talk about goals for the future. They are important one-on-one discussions that, unfortunately, because of pressures on our time, we often do not get to have.

To assist in fostering successful performance evaluations, the Office of Human Resources has published a "Guide to Enhanced Performance Management."

The publication is a useful tool that was designed to focus on competency models which communicate performance expectations, measure performance, develop staff, and establish goals and objectives for the upcoming year.

The guide is available at the Web site listener.uis. rochester.edu/ hr/pag/, or by contacting the Office of Human Resources at the Medical Center (x5-2513) or River Campus (x5-3396).

For those with questions about the deadlines for submitting performance reviews, please remember that deadlines are determined by individual units and departments within the University. Questions about the timing of reviews should be directed to your organization's administration.

I also want to remind everyone that the "University's 2001-2002 Wage & Salary Guidelines" also were recently distributed to deans, directors, and vice presidents. Copies are available by contacting your supervisor.

If you have questions about performance evaluations or about other personnel issues, feel free to contact the Office of Human Resources. Or visit the office's Web site at www.rochester.edu/working/employment/HR.

__________

Charles Murphy is director of the Office of Human Resources at the University.

This column is one of an occasional series on administrative issues at the University.

Maintained by University Public Relations
Please send your comments and suggestions to:
Public Relations.