Establishment of Performance Plan. Employees will be given an opportunity to participate in their own evaluation, development, and establishment of the performance standards. A copy of the performance standards and critical elements that relate to their position will be provided at the beginning of the rating period, or when they are assigned to a new position. At that time, management will explain such standards and elements to employees and answer questions. Performance standards and critical elements shall be valid and job related, written at a “Fully Successful” level that can be measured (qualitatively and/or quantitatively) to permit objective and accurate evaluations of actual performance. Performance standards will be applied in a fair and equitable manner. Employees shall be given a copy of their evaluation. The process is as follows:
a. Within thirty (30) days of the beginning of each evaluation period, the Rating Official must establish a written performance plan in consultation with the employee and with concurrence of the Approving Official. Performance plans are established/reestablished within thirty (30) calendar days after:
1. The beginning of the appraisal period; or
2. The employee is initially assigned to the job; or
3. There is a change in supervisor resulting in revised performance standards and critical elements before Oct.
b. Performance plans shall contain all written (or otherwise recorded) critical, and when used, non-critical performance elements and performance standards that set forth expected performance. Performance plans may include objectives, goals and program plans. Performance plans shall identify individual, and where applicable, team accountability for accomplishing organizational goals.
c. Performance plans performance plans must be consistent with:
1. assigned work and the duties covered in the rated employee's position description; and
2. performance plans of other employees with similar duties and responsibilities in the operating unit.
d. Performance plans must be reviewed and approved by an official at a higher level than the Rating Official (usually the Approving Official).
e. If the Rating Official and the rated employee cannot agree on the performance plan, the Rating Official will establish the performance elements and performance standards, subject to the approval of the Approving Official and communicate the decision to the employee along with a copy of the performance plan.
