https://www.americancityandcounty.com/wp-content/themes/acc_child/assets/images/logo/footer-logo.png
  • Home
  • Co-op Solutions
  • Hybrid Work
  • Commentaries
  • News
  • In-Depth
  • Multimedia
    • Back
    • Podcast
    • Latest videos
    • Product Guides
  • Resources & Events
    • Back
    • Resources
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
    • IWCE 2022
    • How to Contribute
    • Municipal Cost Index – Archive
    • Equipment Watch Page
    • American City & County Awards
  • About Us
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Cookie Policy
    • Privacy Statement
    • Terms of Service
American City and County
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Home
  • Co-op Solutions
  • Hybrid Work
  • Commentaries
  • News
  • In-Depth
  • Multimedia
    • Back
    • Podcasts
    • Latest videos
    • Product Guides
  • Resources/Events
    • Back
    • Webinars
    • White Papers/eBooks
    • IWCE 2022
    • How to Contribute
    • American City & County Awards
    • Municipal Cost Index
    • Equipment Watch Page
  • About Us
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Cookie Policy
    • Privacy Stament
    • Terms of Service
  • newsletter
  • Administration
  • Economy & Finance
  • Procurement
  • Public Safety
  • Public Works & Utilities
  • Smart Cities & Technology
  • Magazine
acc.com


Eliminating paper-based review processes.

Eliminating paper-based review processes.

In 1995, the Riverside County, Calif., board of Supervisors adopted a policy to require annual performance reviews for all 12,000 county employees. The
  • Written by Brown, Lyndi
  • 1st September 1996

In 1995, the Riverside County, Calif., board of Supervisors adopted a policy to require annual performance reviews for all 12,000 county employees. The policy was designed to improve communication between employees and managers.

Riverside County departments are not required to use computer software for their reviews, “but it is a management job we have to do, and it solves the problem of getting the review done on time and with the proper language,” says Dennis Morris, the county’s human resources director. “It’s hard to cover all these bases by using a paper form.” Usually with paper-based reviews, employees tend to ignore them, but with an automated performance review system, supervisors are able to give meaningful feedback.

Using a step-by-step process, the system prompts managers to rate an employee’s performance in key areas, such as communications, cooperation, adaptability, dependability, initiative and job knowledge.

Based on the manager’s rating, the program generates supporting evaluation text. Instead of spending time struggling with wording on a blank page, managers simply click on different rating numbers to see which text fits their assessment of performance. This text becomes the basis for the narrative portion of the review.

Managers are often ill-prepared for – and typically dread – the performance review process. By eliminating the “blank-page syndrome,” managers can concentrate on performance issues and effective communication with the employee.

The automated performance review system also has an employee log feature because frequent feedback is an effective way to improve employee performance. This tool helps managers document performance – achievements or problems – throughout the review period and encourages them to discuss these events with the employee. At review time, the documented performance issues can be used as examples to support performance observations.

In addition to documenting performance, many systems provide a language check to search the review for phrases that may be discriminatory or overly subjective, such as “young,” “old” and “bad” attitude.”

Password options also allow department supervisors to secure sensitive review data, and as new departments adopt the system, information services personnel can conduct training sessions. The software is easy to use, even for people without previous computer experience.

Cities and counties can customize the performance review system with built-in language to more exactly fit their specific requirements. There are add-on modules available to modify or replace built-in language with words and performance criteria that are specific to the organization.

Some hospitals and fire departments have customized review language to include levels of proficiency with equipment and procedures. One city replaced the word “employee”with “representative”to help staff members become conscious of their role as representatives of the city.

Automated performance review software has been around for a few years, but it is only recently that the software has been refined and become more flexible. The new designs allow organizations to set and measure goals, extract data for historical or comparative analysis and offer an increased level of security.

As cities and counties explore a performance review system, consider the needs of the municipality. Are goals incorporated into the review process? Are ratings involved in the review process? Are personnel departments setting the standards to which managers should adhere? Are managers allowed to set standards for their own department? A good automated performance review system should be flexible enough to fit these requirements.

Tags:

Most Recent


  • New York City, New York
    Report: While remote work is causing offices to empty out, walkable cities are still in high demand
    Given the reliance on vehicular transportation in the United States, some American cities historically haven’t prioritized being walkable in past planning and or design. But amid an unprecedented shift in the economy toward remote work, those that have are increasingly desirable for prospective residents. A new report from Smart Growth American and Places Platform, “Foot Traffic […]
  • landslides
    Managing landslides along road corridors using remote sensing
    Maintaining roads is an optimization problem. Local officials must balance limited and sometimes shrinking budgets with the needs of their communities to have safe and reliable transportation systems. Unfortunately, the importance of a particular maintenance issue is often judged based on anecdotal information and complaints from the public rather than hard data. This approach is […]
  • resilience
    Report: Prioritizing neighborhood infill, expanding transit options increases neighborhood resilience
    With the threat of climate change looming, cities that prioritize neighborhood resilience and equity will be best equipped to withstand future challenges. Last week, the United States Conference of Mayors and the Wells Fargo Institute for Sustainable Finance released a report highlighting strategies for communities looking to address the impact of the climate crisis. “Mayors […]
  • great downtown
    10 American cities with a great downtown
    From small New England town commons to bustling Southern centers and Western squares, downtowns serve as a city’s backbone. Beyond office space, they’re hubs for social activities, fine dining and cultural experiences. But not every downtown is equal. With a focus on renters and options apartment amenities, a new ranking from StorageCafe ranks America’s best […]

Leave a comment Cancel reply

-or-

Log in with your American City and County account

Alternatively, post a comment by completing the form below:

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Content

  • NLC releases State of Cities 2021 report
  • How governments can keep employees safe as they return to work
  • Lessons from your friendly neighborhood public service employees
  • North Texas alliance partners with Marketplace.city on smart government solutions

White papers


Modernizing government services for today’s resident expectations

24th January 2023

Preparing Your Community Now for the Next Generation of Older Adults

18th October 2022

Helping Government Fleets Achieve Their Goals

30th September 2022
view all

Webinars


How To: Evaluate Digital Government Service Delivery Technologies

23rd January 2023

Using Technology to Enhance Communications

29th November 2022

Learn the benefits of transforming and automating your Contract Management process

4th November 2022
view all

PODCAST


Young Leaders Episode 4 – Cyril Jefferson – City Councilman, High Point, North Carolina

13th October 2020

Young Leaders Episode 3 – Shannon Hardin – City Council President, Columbus, Ohio

27th July 2020

Young Leaders Episode 2 – Christian Williams – Development Services Planner, Goodyear, Ariz.

1st July 2020
view all

GALLERIES


Report: While remote work is causing offices to empty out, walkable cities are still in high demand

26th January 2023

10 American cities with a great downtown

24th January 2023

Miami leads the way in FT-Nikkei ranking of best U.S. cities for foreign companies

20th January 2023
view all

Twitter


AmerCityCounty

Report: While remote work is causing offices to empty out, walkable cities are still in high demand dlvr.it/ShVhBW

26th January 2023
AmerCityCounty

Managing landslides along road corridors using remote sensing dlvr.it/ShTpL6

26th January 2023
AmerCityCounty

Report: Prioritizing neighborhood infill, expanding transit options increases neighborhood resilience dlvr.it/ShRrFM

25th January 2023
AmerCityCounty

10 American cities with a great downtown dlvr.it/ShNxXH

24th January 2023
AmerCityCounty

With a few strategies and tools, public procurement directors can recruit new, diverse staffers dlvr.it/ShNnj4

24th January 2023
AmerCityCounty

Oakland launches smart loading zone program for commercial unloading at the curbside dlvr.it/ShNkMg

24th January 2023
AmerCityCounty

Modernizing government services for today’s resident expectations dlvr.it/ShNGq0

24th January 2023
AmerCityCounty

Report: Technology is evolving quickly, and the water and sewer sector needs to adapt dlvr.it/ShL0B5

23rd January 2023

Newsletters

Sign up for American City & County’s newsletters to receive regular news and information updates about local governments.

Resale Insights Dashboard

The Resale Insights Dashboard provides model-level data for the entire used equipment market to help you save time and money.

Municipal Cost Index

Updated monthly since 1978, our exclusive Municipal Cost Index shows the effects of inflation on the cost of providing municipal services

Media Kit and Advertising

Want to reach our digital audience? Learn more here.

DISCOVER MORE FROM INFORMA TECH

  • IWCE’s Urgent Communications
  • IWCE Expo

WORKING WITH US

  • About Us
  • Contact Us

FOLLOW American City and County ON SOCIAL

  • Privacy
  • CCPA: “Do Not Sell My Data”
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms
Copyright © 2023 Informa PLC. Informa PLC is registered in England and Wales with company number 8860726 whose registered and Head office is 5 Howick Place, London, SW1P 1WG.