Common use of Merit Advance Clause in Contracts

Merit Advance. An employee is eligible for a merit increase every twelve months until the employee reaches the top salary step in their classification. Merit increases will only be given if the employee has satisfactory or better performance on the performance evaluation, is recommended for an increase by the Department Head and the recommendation is approved by the City Manager. With a substandard performance evaluation, a merit step increase can be withheld. Employee will be placed on an Individual Development Plan (IDP) with a defined duration (3 months, 6 months, 12 months, etc.). At the completion of a successful IDP, employee will receive a new performance evaluation and will then be eligible for a step increase. A subsequent step increase would require 12 months’ service in the step.