Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find the new online performance appraisal form?
What are the benefits of the new online performance appraisal form?
Do I have to use the new online performance appraisal form this year?
What if my school or department uses a different performance appraisal form?
How do I use the new online performance appraisal form?
Do I have to fill in every section of the new online performance appraisal form?
Can I transfer information that I was already using from another form into the new online performance appraisal form for this year?
Can I use the new online performance appraisal form to set goals for next year?
Does Columbia University have a separate staff self-appraisal form?
What are performance attributes (also known as competencies)?
Who is eligible to use the new online performance appraisal form?
Is there any training available, and if so, who should attend?
What if I am not a manager or supervisor - can I still attend the training program?
Do I have to attend the training before completing my year-end reviews?
How do I register for training?
Who can I contact if I have further questions?
Q: Where can I find the new online performance appraisal form?
A: The new CUHR online performance appraisal form is located here. Please note that this site is for managers; staff members will be emailed a link automatically to their individual appraisals.
Q: What are the benefits of the new online performance appraisal form?
A: The new online performance appraisal form has the following benefits to both managers and staff:
- Simple, clear, easy to use with drop-down menu options
- Online so Managers and Staff can access anytime, anywhere
- Section for clarifying main job duties and responsibilities
- Section for goal setting for the upcoming performance year
- Choose from a performance attributes library (also known as competencies library) that the University has selected based upon best practices. Therefore, performance can be described in terms of how the job duties and goals were achieved, and not just what was achieved
- Section for developmental planning for staff members for upcoming year
- Sections built in for staff and manager comments throughout the new form
- New and simplified overall performance rating scale
Q: Do I have to use the new online performance appraisal form this year?
A: The online form is the recommended format. There is also a MS Word version of the form which you can access from the home page of the online form.
Q: What if my school or department uses a different performance appraisal form?
A: As in previous years, schools and departments may elect to use their own performance review forms that they have developed internally.
Q: How do I use the new online performance appraisal form?
A: CUHR has developed an easy to use job aid that will walk both managers and staff through the steps of how to use the new online performance appraisal form.
Q: Do I have to fill in every section of the new online performance appraisal form?
A: No. The form has been designed so managers can easily build the sections of the form that are applicable to the jobs in their area. For example, managers may elect to use the section of the form that outlines job duties and responsibilities for the position or not by simply clicking on a button to add details to that section of the form.
The CUHR Department strongly recommends that managers use the goals, performance attributes, and developmental plan sections of the form. For more information on how to use the form, see the online performance appraisal form job aid.
Q: Can I transfer information that I was already using from another form into the new online performance appraisal form for this year?
A: Yes. You can easily copy and paste the appropriate information you wish to select from another form into the new online performance appraisal form.
Q: Can I use the new online performance appraisal form to set goals for next year?
A: Yes. The new online performance appraisal form can be used to either wind-up the current performance year or for goal setting for the upcoming fiscal year. The goals you create are saved and can be revisited at any time if changes are needed.
Q: Does Columbia University have a separate staff self-appraisal form?
A: No. The new online performance appraisal form has a section for staff comments that can be used for staff self-assessments. In addition, managers can involve their staff members throughout the year in the goal setting and reviewing process using the same form.
Q: What are performance attributes (also known as competencies)?
A: Performance attributes are a part of the new online performance appraisal form. A performance attribute is defined as a skill, knowledge, ability or behavioral characteristic that is associated with job performance.
Simply stated, performance attributes assist both managers and staff in defining what job success looks like in terms of how the work is performed, not just in terms of what was achieved. For example, performance attributes such as adaptability, collaboration, communication, decision-making and valuing diversity may be used to describe how a staff member needs to perform in their position along with their main job duties and stated objectives for the performance year.
These attributes can be used in various ways and at different levels:
- School/Department level - What skills, knowledge, abilities or behavioral characteristics are required for success across the entire school or separtment for the performance year?
- Position Level - What skills, knowledge, abilities or behavioral characteristics are required for success across all Staff members in the same position for the performance year?
- Individual Level - What skills, knowledge, abilities or behavioral characteristics are required for individual staff member success for the performance year?
The new online performance appraisal form has a library of 54 performance attributes that managers can select from built into the form. As described above, these performance attributes can be used in various ways and at different levels at the choosing of the school/department or the manager.
We have developed a Performance Appraisal Job Aid for your convenience.
For more information on performance attributes and how to use them, please contact your CUHR Client Manager or the local HR representative in your School or Department.
Q: Who is eligible to use the new online performance appraisal form?
A: The new online performance appraisal form is for Administrative Officers only. Academic Officers and staff members who belong to a union group do not use this form.
Q: Is there any training available, and if so, who should attend?
A: Yes. HR offers a one-day training program to assist with the performance management process. The program at this time is being offered to managers who have Administrative Officers reporting to them.
Q: What if I am not a manager or supervisor - can I still attend the training program?
A: The Learning & Development team will be offering a ½ day program for Administrative Officers who do not manage staff later in the 2009 fiscal year.
Q: Do I have to attend the training before completing my year-end reviews?
A: You are not required to attend training in order to close out the year. Your school or department will be rolling out the training program at varying times throughout the summer. Additionally, ongoing training will be available for new and newly promoted managers.
Q: How do I register for training?
A: Training will initially be rolled out to schools and departments individually throughout the summer and into the fall. Please contact your CUHR Client Manager or the local HR representative to determine when training will be rolled out for out for your area.
Q: Who can I contact if I have further questions?
A: Please contact your CUHR Client Manager or the local HR representative in your school or department for more information that is not covered in these pages.