Penn State University Libraries - Employee Evaluations

Employee performance evaluations are an extremely important tool for developing and maintaining successful employees.

Performance evaluations:

• Improve communication.
• Help to motivate employees by allowing them to be part of their professional development decisions.
• Improve productivity.
• Help to identify and correct performance deficiencies.
• Develop employee skills by setting goals and establishing action plan.

Performance evaluations should be viewed as a positive and useful tool for involving employees in their career development. The periodic evaluations help remind employees of expectations already set for them, serve as an avenue for responding to concerns, and provides continuing opportunities to update employees on their progress and to give and receive feedback on work issues.

Below you will information on the several types of employee evaluations utilized in the University Libraries:

• Probationary Period Review
• Staff Employee Evaluations
• Faculty Reviews
• Technical-Service Review and Development Action Plan

Probationary Period Review

Staff Employee Evaluations

The Staff Review and Development Plan (SRDP) is an annual performance review and development process University units are strongly encouraged to utilize for staff employees. It is a performance evaluation tool that provides a focus on developing employees, rather than simply evaluating performance.

The Staff Review and Development Plan Toolkit includes a variety of resources to facilitate the process for both employees and supervisors.

• SRDP FAQs
  
• Supervisor Checklist and General Tips
  
• Staff Checklist and General Tips
  
• Detailed Guide for Completing the Staff Input Section
  
• Detailed Guide for Completing the Development Action Plan
  
• Staff Review and Development Plan Document
  
• Other SRDP-Related Resources: 
  • UL-HRG05 Annual Performance Reviews: Many of the tips for completing the SRDP are outlined in this guideline, which was developed by University Park department heads in January 2002 to assist employees and their supervisors with performance reviews. 
  • Office of Human Resources Materials: This site includes the form and a guide for completing the form. 
    
• NOTE: New supervisors completing SRDPs for the first time and who have not yet completed Mastering Supervision are encouraged to contact LHR for guidance. 

Faculty Reviews

Faculty have their own performance reviews that vary from those used for staff employees.  For information on faculty reviews, please see the following:

• UL-HRG06 Summary Performance Evaluations
• UL-HRG01 Periodic Extended Reviews for Tenured Faculty
• UL-HRG07 Promotion and Tenure Criteria Guidelines
• Dean's Administrative Office, Resources for Faculty

Technical Service (Union) Employees

The Technical-Service Review and Development Action Plan is an annual performance review and development process the University Libraries strongly encourages for technical-service employees. It is a performance evaluation tool that provides a focus on developing your employees, rather than simply evaluating performance.

While technical-service salaries and increases are dictated by the Agreement between The Pennsylvania State University and Teamsters Local Union No. 8, having a Development Action Plan and receiving feedback are still important tools in the development of employees.

• Technical-Service Review and Development Action Plan