“MyAppraisal” Boycott Continues
You may have received automatic messages from “Thrive” enrolling colleagues on the “MyAppraisal” system on April 1st. There are likely to be more reminders.
UCL UCU has not been consulted about this system, and we are still advising members to boycott it.
Last April, members voted to boycott “MyAppraisal” because we believe its operation contradicts the agreed UCL Appraisal Policy.
With the exception of Professors, for whom there is no alternative form, we encourage colleagues to take part in Appraisal by using the agreed Word forms, which are available from here.
Colleagues should not use “MyAppraisal” for three reasons in particular:
- Data processing. UCL Policy expects Appraisers (Line Managers) to complete forms with their Appraisee, and Heads of Department (or their equivalent) to sign them off. No other staff have the right to view the content, nor can UCL process this data except to archive. However, the new system does not include any such restrictions.
- Conflation with performance management. Last year saw the introduction of elements of performance (“Perf” targets) into MyAppraisal, contrary to UCL Policy. We are told these have been retained for Professional Services staff. We have seen a “road map” which sees Appraisal as integrated with probation and elements of performance management in the future.
- Refusal to consult. UCU and the other unions have repeatedly offered to consult with UCL over these issues. Unfortunately, UCL has refused to do so, and they have not been resolved.
We are therefore asking members to continue to use the old Word forms archived here, not the MyAppraisal system.
A set of Frequently Asked Questions from last year are also available on our website.
We are planning an online branch meeting for all members in the week commencing 27 April, at which members can discuss what progress has been made.
For the avoidance of doubt, there is no sanction in the UCL pay policy for declining to use MyAppraisal and using these forms instead.
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