by Melissa Sortman, MEA Uniserv Director
The University is prioritizing professional excellence and part of the focus is on the evaluation process of employees. APA leadership has been meeting with MSU Human Resources regarding potential changes to the evaluation forms and the evaluation process. APA will be meeting with the University to discuss the impact of any changes on the membership.
The performance evaluation process should be valuable time used to get constructive feedback from your supervisor that reflects a review of the last year, but also lay out a plan for the following year. It may also be an opportunity for you to set goals. This may include the criteria for the merit portion of the bargained raise received each October.
APA provides trainings for members to assist in the preparation for the evaluation, discussion of how to request an off-cycle raise and ways to use professional development to support your career plans. Monthly notice is sent out to sign up for More You Know trainings.
Contractually, the performance evaluation review should be done annually, according to Article 12 Clause 101 of the MSU APA Master Agreement.  https://www.msu.edu/~msuapa/apacontract.pdf If an employee is having performance issues, more frequent evaluations are allowed. The Performance Evaluation Form is a standard form and can be found on the Human Resources website: http://www.hr.msu.edu/performance/supportstaff/PerfDevProg.htm.
The formal evaluation form is one of the few documents that may be placed in an employee’s official personnel folder. In addition, an employee may add additional comments regarding the evaluation to be placed in the personnel file. You have a right to know what is placed in your personnel file which is governed by the Bullard Plawecki Employee Right to Know Act http://www.hr.msu.edu/documents/uwidepolproc/righttoknow.htm (link)
Many members would like the supervisor feedback and recognition of work performance. You may request to schedule your evaluation. If you are not evaluated, there is a presumption of satisfactory work. The University is making it a priority to have annual evaluations.
If members receive an unsatisfactory evaluation and/or placed on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) http://www.hr.msu.edu/performance/supportstaff/staffperformance_docs/PIP.pdf, you should notify the APA office at [email protected] or call the office at 517.999.4004. If you contact your union, it will be kept confidential.
If placed on an Improvement Plan, you will typically have monthly meetings with your supervisor with a revaluation within ninety days from the date of being placed on the PIP. The union representative can assist you in many ways through the process. The APA representative can, at the member request, call a conference with the evaluator prior to the ninety day evaluation. This meeting can be useful to facilitate problem solving path versus a punitive one.
Don’t hesitate to ask for assistance, the MSU APA office is (517) 999-4004.
Resources:
Employee Self Review Worksheet:
http://www.hr.msu.edu/performance/supportstaff/staffperformance_docs/selfReview.pdf