Concord updates employee evaluation process for merit pay initiative

The Town of Concord's Personnel Board convened on November 13, 2024, to discuss significant updates regarding employee evaluations and merit pay, marking a pivotal shift in how the town assesses its workforce. This initiative aims to enhance performance feedback and goal-setting processes for non-union employees, who have not consistently received evaluations since the pandemic began.

Kimberly, a key presenter at the meeting, outlined the development of new evaluation forms that align with the town's updated compensation plan for fiscal year 2025. These forms are designed to provide meaningful feedback and set clear goals for employees, which will directly influence merit pay increases. The new evaluation system categorizes employee performance into three distinct levels: top performers, solid performers, and satisfactory or emerging performers. This stratification is intended to facilitate succession planning and identify opportunities for employee growth.

The board emphasized the importance of timely implementation, with training on the new forms scheduled for December. The goal is to have all employees prepared with their performance objectives by January 1, 2025. This timeline is crucial as the town transitions to a new evaluation cycle that will assess performance over a full year starting in fiscal year 2026.

In response to board members' inquiries, Kimberly confirmed that all employees, regardless of their role, will participate in the goal-setting process. This includes entry-level positions, which may require tailored operational goals to ensure that every employee can engage meaningfully in the evaluation process.

The meeting highlighted the town's commitment to fostering a culture of accountability and growth among its employees. By refining the evaluation process, Concord aims to enhance overall performance and ensure that all staff members are aligned with the town's values and objectives. As the town moves forward, the Personnel Board will continue to seek feedback from senior leadership to finalize the evaluation forms and ensure their effectiveness in promoting a high-performing workforce.