24/25/17: MyAppraisal is not fit-for-purpose: Revise and Resubmit – Appendices

List of appendices (with Appendix 3 in full)

Appendix 1. MyAppraisal launch webpage (29 Oct 2024)

Appendix 2. OD email (28 Jan 2025) inviting research staff to pilot an alternative appraisal system

Appendix 3. Examples of some flaws with MyAppraisal:

It does not adhere to the existing and longstanding agreement with campus unions to clearly distinguish between performance review and appraisal.
It is not a neutral tool; its effectiveness for adequately supporting appraisees’ personal development is strongly dependent on appraisers’ personal qualities, characteristics, and views.
It is not self-directed, but has a rigid, pre-determined structure.
It is far from user-friendly, and is extremely difficult to navigate, e.g. if the appraisee wishes to discuss the appraiser’s comments, which are written online after the appraisal, the appraisee has to visit the FAQs and raise a request to support services via another online tool within 7 days, or else the form is automatically forwarded to the “2^nd line appraiser”.
The checklists for development and support needs at the end of the previous appraisal form – for issues such as reasonable adjustments, wellbeing, and promotion – have been removed.
The “2^nd line appraiser” can comment on the appraisal, without having been present, at any time for up to six months after it has taken place.
Its Objectives have to be SMART, with percentage completion rates. These are thus not development goals, but rather performance targets, which could enable unsupportive behaviour, if not bullying, from managers.
It appears that, even prior to its launch, OD were concerned that this new scheme was not applicable to some staff groups, specifically research staff.