PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT POLICY
PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT POLICY
Effective Date February 2, 2017 Policy Type Administrative
Responsibility Director, Human Cross-Reference 1. Administrative Group Terms and
Resources Conditions of Employment
2. Academic Staff Association
Collective Agreement
3. Alberta Union of Provincial
Employees Collective Agreement
4. Employees’ Association
Collective Agreement
5. Employee Records Policy
6. Progressive Discipline Policy
7. Applicable Performance
Appraisal Documents
8. Performance Improvement Plan
9. Career Development Plan
Approver Executive Council Appendices
Review Schedule Every 5 years
1. Policy Statement
1.1 Northwestern Polytechnic (“NWP”) believes that all employees strive to achieve their highest
abilities and seek and deserve feedback on their performance. The Performance appraisals
process at NWP is intended to be a constructive and positive experience. It is viewed as an
opportunity for employees to understand their performance relative to their job functions,
goals and objectives.
1.2 At NWP, we strive to ensure that all employees have the opportunity to grow and develop to
achieve their professional goals, therefore NWP will aid in coaching and developing its
employees to their fullest potential through Career Development Plans.
2. Background
2.1 NWP’s employees play a significant role in the success of the institution; thus, NWP must
provide them with ongoing constructive feedback on their performance.
2.2 Effective processes are required to provide employees with feedback on their performance,
and help employees achieve their goals.
2.3 NWP will assist and provide employees with guidance, at their request, on career planning
and development.
3. Policy Objective
3.1 The objectives of this policy are to:
3.1.1 provide a framework for performance management; and
3.1.2 assist employees with career planning and development.
Page 1 of 4
PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT POLICY
4. Scope
4.1 This Policy applies to all NWP employees.
5. Definitions
5.1 “Career Development Plan” is to help employees determine objectives in which will assist them
in achieving their professional goals through training, development and/or mentoring.
5.2 “Collective Agreements” refer to the contracts NWP has entered into with the Alberta Union
of Provincial Employees (AUPE), Employees’ Association (EA), or Academic Staff Association
(ASA) that outline the terms and conditions of employment for specific groups of employees.
5.3 “Performance Appraisal” is the written assessment of an Employee’s performance completed
by the supervisor and employee.
5.4 “Performance Improvement Plan” (PIP) is to help the employee succeed in meeting specific
performance objectives and will outline specific actions or training required to restore
performance to satisfactory levels.
5.5 “Performance Objectives” are quantifiable measures of acceptable performance within the
appointed position.
5.6 “Review Period” is defined as the time period to which the evaluation will review.
6. Guiding Principles
6.1 NWP will provide employees with continuous and timely performance feedback.
6.2 NWP will fulfill its obligations with respect to performance management as outlined in the
appropriate Collective Agreements, and the Administrative Group Terms and Conditions of
Employment.
6.3 Formal Appraisals will be conducted with employees regularly in accordance with separate
operational procedures, and Collective Agreements and/or Terms and Conditions of
Employment. At the end of the appraisal, Performance Objectives will be set for the following
period.
6.4 An employee and/or his/her supervisor may request that a Performance Appraisal be
completed at times other than the regularly scheduled appraisal.
6.5 Performance meetings are to be documented complete with goals.
6.6 Performance Appraisals are to be placed on the employee’s personnel file.
6.7 Both the employee and his/her supervisor will sign off on Performance Appraisals to
acknowledge performance meetings have occurred. Even though an employee may not
agree with the performance comments of their supervisor, the employee and the supervisor
will acknowledge performance meetings took place.
6.8 Supervisors will complete a probationary Performance Appraisal for new employees prior to
the completion of the probationary period.
Page 2 of 4
PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT POLICY
6.9 The Performance Appraisal will include setting objectives, giving and receiving feedback and
assessing the performance of the employee.
6.10 Employees and supervisors are encouraged to complete the appropriate Performance
Appraisal Forms prior to meeting.
6.11 During the course of the Review Period, feedback on the progress of the employee towards
their goals should be provided on a regular basis. Any major issues or concerns coming to
the attention of the supervisor must be dealt with when they occur.
It is important that the supervisor and employee keep track of accomplishments during the
review period and refer to them during the performance evaluation process.
7. Career Development Plan
7.1 Career Development Plans are optional for employees.
7.2 Career Development Plans are intended to assist the employee in articulating their
professional aspirations and should be driven by the employee supported by the immediate
supervisor.
7.3 If an employee has a Career Development Plan, an annual review would ensure that goals
are being met and to ensure that organization is supporting the employee.
8. Performance Improvement Plan
8.1 In the event that an employee’s performance requires improvement, the supervisor may
implement a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) in consultation with Human Resources.
8.2 The PIP will outline specific actions or training required to restore performance to
satisfactory levels. The employee will be asked to sign the PIP to demonstrate
commitment to improve. The PIP will be in writing, with a copy forwarded to Human
Resources, for inclusion in the employee’s employee file and retained according to the
Employee Records Policy.
8.3 If a performance issue cannot be addressed or corrected through this method, it may be
dealt with under the Progressive Discipline Policy.
9. Roles and Responsibilities
STAKEHOLDER RESPONSIBILITIES
Executive Council • Approve and formally support this policy
Director, Human • Develop, maintain, and oversee the implementation of this policy
Resources/Human
Resources Staff • Administer the performance management process
• Conduct the Performance Appraisals with employees, provide
Immediate Supervisor feedback, assist employees with career planning, and
implement a PIP as required
• Participate in setting Performance Objectives and
Employees
give/receive feedback
Page 3 of 4
PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT POLICY
10. Exceptions to the Policy
10.1 Exceptions to the Guiding Principles in this policy must be documented and
formally approved by the President and CEO.
10.2 Policy exceptions must describe:
10.2.1 the nature of the exception;
10.2.2 a reasonable explanation for why the policy exception is required;
10.2.3 any risks created by the policy exception; and
10.2.4 evidence of approval by the President and CEO.
11. Inquiries
11.1 Inquiries regarding this policy can be directed to the Director, Human Resources.
12. Amendments (Revision History)
12.1 Amendments to this Policy will be published from time to time and circulated to the
NWP Community.
12.2 Post-Implementation Policy Review Approval: March 5, 2019
Page 4 of 4
