SECTION 8.10  THE PURPOSES OF PERFORMANCE EVALUATION

Last Update:  12/08

Performance Evaluation serves many purposes. First and foremost, it should help the employee understand what is expected of her or him in order to perform the job. This is done through setting specific performance expectations and anticipated results (Individual Performance Plan), using the responsibilities and tasks assigned to the position on the Position Description Questionnaire as the foundation. Then the employee receives feedback as to how well he or she is doing, according to that performance plan.

Performance evaluation can also accomplish the following:

·         Recognize and document the employee’s strengths and achievements.

·         Identify development needs.

·         Identify and describe areas where performance improvement is needed to serve as the basis of an improvement plan.

·         Document areas of concern surrounding the employee’s performance and provide a basis for discipline and discharge.

·         Give the employee an opportunity to comment on his or her job performance.

·         Help the employee assume accountability for the job and her or his performance.

·         Establish the base of customer-focused service delivery as it relates to the mission of the agency and the enterprise as a whole and to the public.

·         For some jobs, provide the basis for determining pay increases.

Performance Evaluation readily aligns with and can be used in conjunction with other aspects of human resource management:

·         Training and career development

·         Recruitment and hiring

·         Workforce Planning

·         Compensation

·         Reward and recognition

·         Improvement planning

·         Discipline

·         Succession Planning

Performance evaluation is an important human resource tool that supervisors and employees all too often overlook or avoid because it requires direct, honest communication based on specific, observable results. If approached from that framework, it cannot only help the employee optimize success in their job, but it will also contribute to the overall successful performance of the organization.