Frequently asked questions
Please click on the following links for further details of frequently asked questions:
1. Background
a. Why was PM&D II implemented?
2. KPAs, KPIs and Objectives
a. What is an objective?
b. What assistance will there be for setting performance objectives?
c. Where do KPA descriptors come from and how are they determined? What are Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and why have they been introduced?
3. Incremental Progression
a. How does PM&D II link to salary increments?
b. Will Supervisors be informed when their staff incremental progression dates are due?
c. If a staff member is on a twelve month appointment, do they go through the process? What happens if a staff member has their twelve monthly contract renewed?
d. What happens if a staff member's PM&D review is submitted late? Will this affect the increment date?
e. Linking PM&D to increments is negative and focuses PM&D on punitive measures rather than development for staff. Why is management doing this?
4. Probation
a. Are the PM&D forms completed for probation?
b. Following the completion of probation, will the PM&D review date be 12 months from this date?
5. Confirmation
a. Are the PM&D forms completed for the annual confirmation review meeting?
b. Is a PM&D review required when a staff member has already completed the PM&D paperwork for the annual confirmation review?
c. Following the probation review, will the next confirmation review be 12 months from this date?
6. Forms
a. If a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) process is implemented, when will I receive my next increment?
b. How will the forms be stored following the review?
c. Is the Staff Resume a requirement of the PM&D Process?
d. How does a staff member complete a PM&D Mark II form when they have not previously set objectives?
7. Review Dates and Timing
a. How is a staff member's PM&D review date determined?
b. At what time of year do areas need to complete PM&D reviews?
c. Are 2005 PM&D reviews necessary when a 2004 PM&D was completed prior to 1st April 2005 (implementation date of PM&D Mark II)?
d. I am at the top of my salary grade, therefore what is my review date as I no longer have an incremental progression date?
e. If I'm on secondment or transferred to another unit part way through my review period, how will my PM&D be managed?
f. What happens when I take leave? how will this affect my review date?
g. Does a period of SSP affect my review date?
8. Reviewer
a. If I am supervised by two members of staff, can they both attend the review meeting as Reviewers?
b. As I have minimal contact with my Reviewer (who is HEO level 8) can a Reviewer of a lower level conduct my review?
c. What happens if there is a disagreement in the ratings between the Reviewer and the staff member? Is there an appeals process?
d. What happens if a staff member does not consider their allocated Reviewer to be the most appropriate member of staff to conduct their PM&D review?
e. How can the objectivity of a Reviewer be assured?
9. Supervisor
a. Who signs the form as the Supervisor?
b. If the PM&D review is completed by the Supervisor, is it countersigned?
10. Performance Progression
a. What is 'performance progression' and how does it work?
b. How is performance progression granted?
c. When does performance progression start?
d. If my overall review is 'outstanding', what will happen if my unit does not have the budget to fund performance progression?
e. What happens when the Reviewer has recommended an overall rating of 'outstanding' and submits the proposal to the Supervisor for approval to receive the performance progression payment?
11. Underperformance
a. What is the link between underperformance and unsatisfactory performance?
b. Can my PM&D assessment be used as evidence in unsatisfactory performance procedures?
12. Other questions
a. What is the relationship between PM&D and the general staff reclassification process?
b. I have two separate jobs, what do I do?
c. What incentive is there for staff at the top of a level to complete a PM&D?
d. How can I be assured that there is no inconsistency or subjectivity in the ratings in the PM&D process?
e. Does PM&D cover the following: