Performance management
Print version
King's management appears to have decided to introduce 'Key Performance Indicators' in some parts of King’s without consulting the campus unions. (The branch will discuss this at an EGM on 25 January 2012).
Some general advice to members:
Some general advice to members:
Called to a meeting to discuss your job
The following key points are to help members who are called in by their line manager/head of department/head of school to 'have a chat', talk about work performance or early retirement.
If the request is verbal, please email and ask for details on
1. The reason or purpose for the meeting,
2. Who will be there, in particular will a Human Resources (HR) Advisor be present,
3. Clarify with a direct question if the meeting is about either 'performance', KPI (Key Performance Indicators), APF (Academic Performance Framework) or some other reason.
Do not be fobbed off with any verbal reply. If your reply to your line manager/head of department/head of school is verbal, please follow this with a written communication that confirms the essence of the conversation and covers/clarifies the three points above.
It is essential that you take a trades' union representative or work colleague with you to any meeting of this kind.
If a meeting is arranged you, the trades' union rep or work colleague must take detailed notes. A HR Advisor should be present at the meeting. Sometimes they will take notes and sometimes they will not. If they take notes ask them to provide you with a copy. If you disagree with the contents of those notes then you must inform the HR Advisor, copied to your line manager, HR Advisor, trades' union rep or work colleague and whoever else was present at the meeting.
If you are handed a letter at a meeting do not open the letter until after the meeting. They may indicate to you what is contained in the letter. Simply say that you want to take it away to consider.
If the nature of the meeting is not what you expected or you feel ambushed then politely excuse yourself and arrange another meeting.
Similarly if you feel threatened, upset, or if voices are raised you have every right to leave politely and suggest another time to meet. Remember to allow enough time between meetings so that you can talk to your union rep.
If the request is verbal, please email and ask for details on
1. The reason or purpose for the meeting,
2. Who will be there, in particular will a Human Resources (HR) Advisor be present,
3. Clarify with a direct question if the meeting is about either 'performance', KPI (Key Performance Indicators), APF (Academic Performance Framework) or some other reason.
Do not be fobbed off with any verbal reply. If your reply to your line manager/head of department/head of school is verbal, please follow this with a written communication that confirms the essence of the conversation and covers/clarifies the three points above.
It is essential that you take a trades' union representative or work colleague with you to any meeting of this kind.
If a meeting is arranged you, the trades' union rep or work colleague must take detailed notes. A HR Advisor should be present at the meeting. Sometimes they will take notes and sometimes they will not. If they take notes ask them to provide you with a copy. If you disagree with the contents of those notes then you must inform the HR Advisor, copied to your line manager, HR Advisor, trades' union rep or work colleague and whoever else was present at the meeting.
If you are handed a letter at a meeting do not open the letter until after the meeting. They may indicate to you what is contained in the letter. Simply say that you want to take it away to consider.
If the nature of the meeting is not what you expected or you feel ambushed then politely excuse yourself and arrange another meeting.
Similarly if you feel threatened, upset, or if voices are raised you have every right to leave politely and suggest another time to meet. Remember to allow enough time between meetings so that you can talk to your union rep.
Specimen letter
Dear ..
Thank you for your email/phone call asking me to attend a meeting.
Before I attend the meeting, and so I am fully prepared, can you please tell me:
1. The reason or purpose of the meeting,
2. Who will be there, in particular will a Human Resources(HR) Advisor be present,
3. Clarify if the meeting is about either 'performance'/ KPI (Key Performance Indicators), APF (Academic Performance Framework) or some other reason.
(Add the following sentence if the reason for the meeting is specifically about performance) : As you may know, the UCU are currently questioning the fairness, ethos and legitimacy of the KPIs and APF.
Please could you ensure a HR advisor is present, in accordance with College procedures, and that accurate minutes are taken which can be subsequently disseminated to all those present at the meeting.
I wish to bring a Union Rep/Work Colleague (name) with me.
Yours sincerely
Thank you for your email/phone call asking me to attend a meeting.
Before I attend the meeting, and so I am fully prepared, can you please tell me:
1. The reason or purpose of the meeting,
2. Who will be there, in particular will a Human Resources(HR) Advisor be present,
3. Clarify if the meeting is about either 'performance'/ KPI (Key Performance Indicators), APF (Academic Performance Framework) or some other reason.
(Add the following sentence if the reason for the meeting is specifically about performance) : As you may know, the UCU are currently questioning the fairness, ethos and legitimacy of the KPIs and APF.
Please could you ensure a HR advisor is present, in accordance with College procedures, and that accurate minutes are taken which can be subsequently disseminated to all those present at the meeting.
I wish to bring a Union Rep/Work Colleague (name) with me.
Yours sincerely