Frequently Asked Questions - Performance

Achieve Together is the UC Berkeley staff performance program for non-represented employees. The program emphasizes ongoing performance development, coaching conversations, and clear guidelines for how we do our work through the Achievement Criteria performance indicators. 

The Achieve Together performance program began in April 2020. Achieve Together is grounded in a coaching culture and includes staff and managers having three formal check-in conversations about performance using six standardized questions. Check-in conversations are documented using an online dashboard tool.

Individual employee performance contributions drive the results that accomplish the goals of UC Berkeley. The performance program is the mechanism by which managers/supervisors help translate unit goals, objectives, and performance standards to individual employee goals and expectations through ongoing check-in conversations.

The goal of Achieve Together is to support a workforce that is more agile, performance-driven and engaged. More frequent check-ins between managers and direct reports means greater engagement, fewer surprises, a better understanding of needs and expectations, more learning-in-place, less performance-related paperwork, and a clearer line of sight about how an individual’s performance contributes to the bigger picture. This simplified process should enable everyone to be more agile and help you focus on your work efforts.

Managers are getting ready for your Achieve Together conversation by learning about the program’s process and tools. They are preparing themselves to have meaningful performance conversations with you and to be active listeners throughout the process. Feel free to ask your manager about how this new approach will work for you and your team.

We ask that all staff talk with your manager about the schedule for your first formal check-in meeting. Then, get ready by familiarizing yourself with the standardized questions so you can organize your part of the conversation. Focus on what you want to share with your manager, what you want to ask them, and what - if any - support you need. These conversations are intended to be two-way, so feel empowered to work with your manager in setting the agenda.

Campus is offering a Growing as a Coach training to all managers. This is designed to enable managers to build essential skills for generating meaningful conversations, including how to ask powerful questions and to listen deeply.

Here are the top five lessons we've learned from the UC Berkeley Achieve Pilot:

1. Check-ins need to be modeled from the top
2. We've incorporated a wide variety of training and resources for employees and managers/supervisors on coaching and performance
3. We've communicated early and often via regular cascading CalMessages to the HR Network, managers/supervisors, and employees
4. We engaged the Berkeley units in dialogue, readiness planning, presentations, and a train-the-trainer program to support effective change management and program incorporation.
5. We've made strides to further enable inclusion and belonging at Berkeley by including behavioral and performance indicators within the Achievement Criteria.
   

The biggest challenge is creating a new mindset around performance. The Berkeley People & Culture team is focusing heavily in change support to help units take ownership of the new check-in process. Through resources and trainings, everyone can have a better understanding of Achieve Together, in which employees welcome ongoing feedback, act upon it, and offer their own ideas for their growth and development.

We need to to build our managers' skill sets around annual merit rewards process. Without traditional reviews, managers/supervisors need to understand how to use the Achievement Criteria and check-in documentation to differentiate pay based on employee performance.

Another major opportunity for Achieve Together is the incorporation of Inclusion & Belonging as a performance indicator for all employees and managers/supervisors. Upholding inclusive behaviors leads to a workplace in which we can all feel like we belong, and ultimately drive UC Berkeley to greater heights through our support of one another's identities and cultures. 

We’ve seen positive results so far. It’s clear to us that, by having multiple Check-in conversations each year, both managers/supervisors and employees have a greater ability to strengthen relationships and improve results.

We've also redeployed the time managers spent administering the annual review process to more impactful Check-in conversations and keeping up with alignment of unit priorities. In the first year, we estimate that we will save 40,000 total hours on performance evaluations.

This model gives you more on-point and thoughtful feedback for ongoing improvement of work outcomes and relationships. 

The many organizations that have shifted to this performance management approach - including UC Irvine - have had favorable outcomes:

• More real-time assessment, adjustment, and alignment of work efforts.

• Greater opportunities for conversations about engagement and professional development.

• More shared ownership between managers and direct reports about how work is performed.

• Better matching work efforts with workplace dynamics.

• Less time needed to prepare, produce, and document performance conversations.

To increase transparency and help employees understand what leaders and managers/supervisors use to determine performance levels and merit rewards, UC Berkeley has developed consistent, performance-based Achievement Criteria for non-represented staff. The merit criteria guides provide example behaviors for each performance level (Needs Attention, Well Done, Stand Out). All non-represented employees will use the same Achievement Criteria (with additional performance indicators for people managers). There are five dimensions of the Achievement Criteria which include Collaboration, Goal Accomplishment, Innovation, Inclusion & Belonging, and Job Mastery.

Learn more about the Achievement Criteria for non-represented employees and/or register for Achieve Together training.

To determine performance levels per criterion (Collaboration, Goal Accomplishment, Inclusion & Belonging, Innovation, and Job Mastery), the manager/supervisor will refer to the feedback provided per guided check-in question on the Achieve Together Check-in form and compare the performance and behavioral indicators for each criterion associated with each performance level (needs attention, well done, stand out), and identify which level aligns closest with the employee’s performance for the year.

1. What goals did you accomplish this period? (Goal Accomplishment & Job Mastery)
2. What do you like best about your work?In what ways does your work connect to our overall strategy and/or mission? (Job Mastery & Goal Accomplishment)
3. How have you supported others' work and/or collaborated with others on your work this period? (Collaboration)
4. How have you innovated, sought efficiencies and/or improved work outcomes? (Innovation)
5. How have you fostered diversity, equity, inclusion and/or belonging on our team and/or campus? (Inclusion & Belonging)
6. What can I do as your manager/supervisor to better support your success? What additional knowledge, resources, or tools are needed to successfully do your job? (Development Planning & Manager/Supervisor Support)

Yes. Here are a few considerations to better understand the purpose and use of the guided questions:

• These questions map to each performance indicator in the Achievement Criteria, providing the opportunity to adequately discuss what we do and how we do it
• They enable managers/supervisors and direct reports to expansively discuss current performance and plan for future job needs
• Think of the check-in questions as conversation starters, which set up the conversation to use attentive listening and open-ended follow ups to deepen the conversation
• Managers/supervisors and direct reports are not limited to the guided set of questions. It is encouraged to bring attention to feedback, recognition, questions/concerns about work
• By the end of the conversation, managers/supervisor and direct reports should have clear expectations on how work will be accomplished over the next four months. 
  

Check-in conversations are documented using the Achieve Together Online Form through the Online Dashboard. Supervisors and direct reports finalize the Online Form once they are done. The Online Forms for each of the three annual check-ins are sent to the employee's personnel file after each cycle. 

Your Online Forms are also always viewable from the Online Dashboard.  

Check-ins conversations cover the preceding four months. For example, the Fall check-in occurs Dec 1- Jan 15 but covers performance between August - November. See the Check-ins page on the website for more information. 

Once a form is finalized, edits cannot be made. Please make sure that the form is completed before selecting the "Finalize my Notes/Comments" action.

With the previous performance program, non-represented employees spent several hours at the end of each performance year collecting records on accomplishments and completing self evaluations. Managers did the same before completing each employee’s annual performance evaluation. Approximately 60,000 hours were spent each year on annual performance evaluations with little to no added value. Achieve Together check-ins are estimated to take a total of 20,000 hours each year (less than half the time), and will transform our workforce. This is because the check-in should be incorporated into the regular one-on-one meetings that already occur. Additionally, as events occur, they are entered onto the check-in form and then discussed. This real-time, informal feedback will increase agility and employee engagement, and lead to increased levels of performance.

It is possible managers/supervisors and direct reports do not agree on individual or overall performance levels, or comments documented in the check-in form. We recommend discussing these disagreements to seek greater understanding, with intent to identify an action plan for prevention of future misaligned perspective on how work is accomplished.

Disagreements between managers/supervisors and direct reports are common and are a major opportunity for constructive, thoughtful, and supportive discussion.

If there is evidence to suggest an inaccurate depiction of performance or conduct, contact your HR Partner to discuss the issue and potential options. The Office of the Ombuds also has conflict resolution and mediation support. 

Check-in forms should be completed by the due date for each Check-in converstion; we close the system after that date. Once the Achieve Together Online Dashboard system is closed, you cannot add content to the online form, but a separate process to include the check-in notes can be arranged with help from your HR partner.

Remember, if you do not complete your Online Form by the deadline, you will not be able to review it later via the Achieve Together Online Dashboard. 

Managers/supervisors (this includes anyone who is supervising a non-represented employee) are responsible for managing performance and facilitating performance conversations as required by UC Berkeley's performance program for non-represented staff. This information is included in the Achievement Criteria for managers/supervisors. You are entitled to discuss scheduling a check-in conversation. If you are met with resistance, you should contact your HR Partner with questions/concerns.

If it is that check-in conversations do not occur, per UC policy, employees will automatically receive a "Well Done" performance level. In this case, the supervisor will not be eligible for a merit increase.

Reports will be generated for units for completion data. 

Continuous conversations about performance, development, feedback, and the employee experience lead to an overall more engaged workforce. When we lean-in to these discussions, we get more agile, real-time, meaningful input that can help us drive greater results in ways that are more collaborative, innovative, and inclusive. Through ensuring individuals have the chance to check-in more regularly, this creates a stronger environment of belonging for everyone. These conversations create space to solve problems, clarify expectations, and plan for next steps. Elevating the number of times we check-in about performance at Berkeley gives us a better chance to address issues as they arise, instead of waiting for a once-per-year retrospective evaluation.

1. Attend BPM 206 Growing as a Coach training to learn the coaching framework and fundamental skills
2. Join Community of Practice - Cal Coaching Network to learn additional coaching skills and have an opportunity to practice coaching
3. Visit the Training & Resources page for self-study resources
4. Start a Coaching Circle in your area to get feedback and support from your peers.

1. Visit the Training & Resources page for online/in-person training and self-study resources on coaching.
2. Join Community of Practice - Cal Coaching Network to learn additional coaching skills and have an opportunity to practice coaching

Firstly, don't call it coaching. Labeling a conversation "Coaching" can be intimidating to some people unless they have experienced professional coaching. But in any conversation that you may be having with your employee, you can incorporate coaching skills and using the coaching framework learned from the Growing as a Coach class. Secondly, assess if Coaching is the right approach. A simple way to look at HOW you manage is that you may give more direction at times (for example, when an employee is new to a task) in order to increase their ability to do it well. As they have success, and their confidence increases, you will shift to allow them to do it more independently. Coaching is used when an employee has more confidence and has done a task before.

Managers/supervisors are responsible for coaching employees and managing performance. If coaching or development is not happening, bring this to the attention of the manager/supervisor in a check-in conversation. Let them know how you would like to grow and develop, collaboratively explore professional development goals, and set expectations on how you will touch base on professional development progress between check-in conversations. Ongoing coaching and development are beneficial to both participants in the manager/supervisor and direct report relationship. It is the responsibility of the manager/supervisor to enable teams to grow, leading to greater results. "Coachees" can take ownership over their development through seeking skills, knowledge, and experiences that grow careers.

PPSM 23 - Section B requires completion of performance appraisals within the guidelines of the local campus. Your three check-in conversations are not separate evaluations. The three check-ins make-up one overall performance appraisal. Performance Levels (your rating) in the Achievement Criteria will be shared with you regardless of merit availability after the Cycle 3 check-in.

Achieve Together is designed for non-represented staff. The performance management process for represented staff remains the same. However, managers are encouraged to engage in more frequent, informal conversations with direct reports who are represented if both parties find it beneficial.

Official check-in conversations and documentation as part of Achieve Together are not permitted for represented employees. Changes to performance programs for represented employees are subject to bargaining. However, 1on1 conversations between managers/supervisors and represented employees are permitted and similar conversation topics can be addressed.

The check-in process (written feedback and discussion) will be completed by the manager with whom the employee spent the majority of the check-in period. 

If the employee is in the non-represented position in the last two months of the check-in period, the employee and manager will complete the check-in process (written feedback and discussion). If not, the check-in will be canceled. 

If the start date is in the first or second month of the check-in period, the employee will participate in that check-in. If the start date is in the third or fourth month, the employee will wait until the next check-in to start the process. 

No, employees in the probationary period should be reviewed following the process outlined here.

Yes, the check-in can be used for non-represented career, partial-year career or contract employees. 

Performance goals provide a roadmap for the employee on what is expected of them and what they can do to help the organization achieve its unit priorities. Aligning employee performance goals with UC Berkeley's and unit strategic goals is the foundation of Achieve Together. Managers collaborative with their direct reports to define performance goals. In today’s rapidly changing and complex work environment, performance goals must be agile and adaptable. Goals can be set for any length of time (ex: 1mo, 4mos, 1yr, 2yrs) and should be revisited regularly as part of ongoing 1on1 meetings. During check-in conversations every four months, goals will be updated as needed.

All non-represented employees will have 2-5 goals at any time:

• 1 professional development goal
• 1-4 goals around these themes: job accountabilities, stretch assignment, special project, and UC contribution (staff organization participation and/or leadership, participation on a unit/university committee, etc.)

For more information about goal setting, visit the Goals page and/or sign up for an in-person or online training.

Managers/supervisors will collaborate with direct reports on the necessary goals for each check-in period. Conversations about refining goals can occur at any time. Progress against goals and documentation will be discussed and documented during the check-in conversation process every four months. 

No, it is not required that goals be accomplished within one check-in period. A goal can take three weeks, three months or even multiple years to accomplish. Goals will roll from period to period until the due date is reached. What's most important is that managers/supervisors and direct reports are on the same page on goal expectations.

Performance goals are job responsibilities related to key tasks and projects, and may include special projects and stretch goals. Goals should be measurable, actionable, and tied to unit priorities. These can be written using OKRs (Outcomes & Key Results) or SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-bound), and may be achieved in just one check-in period or may span across several periods. They may be individual goals, team goals or unit goals.

In a performance-based merit pay program, salary increases are differentiated based on performance rather than distributed equally as an across-the-board increase. An employee’s performance is evaluated over a period of time (typically twelve months) and then a merit award is determined based on the employee’s performance contributions during that period.

In July 2015, President Napolitano announced that all UC campuses and locations will be required to implement a merit-based pay for performance model for non-represented employees beginning in fiscal year 2016-2017. Rewarding high performers improves organizational performance, increases employee engagement, and lays the foundation for effective workforce planning and talent management. In addition, performance-based pay is the most widely used base pay program in organizations today. According to a study conducted by WorldatWork in June 2015, 92% of the 1,421 organizations that participated in the study use performance-based pay increases (merit increases).

No, UC Berkeley does not use the method of forced distribution to determine performance levels or merit rewards. With forced distribution, managers would be required to force a certain percentage of employees into each of the three merit levels rather than determining based on performance contributions. Managers are required only to use the performance-based Achievement Criteria and adhere to their allocated budgets when determining employee performance levels and merit rewards.

In years when a merit fund is available, the information discussed and documented in the check-ins, as well as the Achievement Criteria, will be used to determine performance levels and merit awards. Continual dialogue about performance will result in merit decisions that are more closely aligned with performance contributions. 

Performance is no longer numerically rated. Instead, performance levels are developed through ongoing check-in conversations and by using the Achievement Criteria. The performance level helps managers determine where within the range of allowable merit increases an employee should be rewarded based on performance contributions. For example, did the employee consistently meet the high standards associated with the “Well Done” performance level, or did they meet the rigorous standards associated with the “Stand Out” performance level? Those who met the “Stand Out” criteria receive a larger merit reward to recognize their exceptional performance contributions. Those who do not meet the standards associated with “Well Done” receive no merit increase. These individuals will have a "Needs Attention" performance level and will begin a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) for 30, 60, or 90 days. 

To ensure consistent and fair application of the Achievement Criteria, calibration meetings are recommended. Calibration meetings are one way to ensure an equitable, unbiased, and factual process for merit recommendations. Unit leaders or their designees will meet with their respective management teams to calibrate employee performance levels and merit rewards within their respective organizations. Calibration meetings will ensure consistency in the distribution of merit increases, and ensure leadership support. Berkeley People & Culture Compensation team will also review the distribution spreadsheets to ensure compliance with merit guidelines.  

After managers and supervisors determine employee performance levels, merit awards will be determined.

• Those with an overall "Needs Attention" will receive no merit increase, and generally begin a performance improvement plan to support getting things on track quickly.
• Staff who reach the "Well Done" level generally receive increases between 2.0-4.0%
• "Stand Out" performers will generally receive 3%+ merit increase

These are recommended percentage increases based on the 3% salary program.

The amount of the merit award will vary according to the employee’s performance contributions and the available budget. The merit program is dependent on available funding. Our program is supported by a limited budget provided by the campus/medical center and individual schools and departments. The fixed budget means that the actual merit increases will also be limited. 

These dates are dependent on merit program guidance from UCOP. Generally, increases will be effective in July and entered into the payroll system in August.

After the Berkeley People & Culture Compensation team has reviewed the proposed increases and executive leadership has approved them, managers and supervisors will meet with direct reports individually to discuss performance-based merit increases. Generally, when merit funds are available, this will occur in July/August.

No, there is no appeal process for merit increases. Determining merit increase amounts is a management responsibility. In addition, the merit increase fund is a limited resource. 

There are no exceptions to overall Performance Levels. If an employee has an overall Performance Level of "Needs Attention," following review of indicators in the Achievement Criteria and documentation from the three conversations that fall within a merit cycle, they are not eligible for a merit increase.

If an employee with a salary at or near pay range maximum receives a merit increase, their salary will be increased to no higher than the pay range maximum.

No, merit increase guidelines will be based on performance only as opposed to performance and/or position in range, seniority, time in classification, etc. The entire fund will be used to reward employee performance rather than attempt to address equity, compression or market lags.

Employees and Managers/Supervisors can access the Achieve Together check-in form using the Online Dashboard button on the Achieve Together home page.

This could be due to the following:

- Name is different in the system: We are pulling the names from the CalNet Directory. Please confirm the name your employee uses in the directory and search.

- The name in the directory has an accent mark: Special characters like "ú" and "á" do not search properly in the search box. Consider doing a partial search (Example: Searching for "Fran" instead of "François"). If you have trouble finding a person, please submit a ServiceNow ticket. 

- Leaving a blank at the end of the name: Please do not enter a space after a name, it changes the search results (For Example: "John" will bring up different results from "John "). 

This may be caused by an empty supervisor field in UCPath. Please contact your HR representative to verify this information and make corrections as needed.

Please create a ticket in ServiceNow if you need to update any of the following displayed items:

• First Name
• Last Name
• Email

Unfortunately, the system will only allow you to import goals for past forms you have created. If you need a copy, we recommend asking the employee to print out the previous form. If you need any additional assistance, please create a ticket in ServiceNow. 

Supervisors and employees have access to edit different fields. 

Supervisor:

• Date Conversation Held
• Supervisor Notes
• Current Goals
• Supervisor Comments on Current Period Goals
• Goals Moving Forward (also editable by the employee)

Employee:

• Employee Notes
• Employee Comments 
• Goals Moving Forward (also editable by the supervisor)

If you have finalized your portion of the form and need to re-open the form, please email: AchieveTogether@berkeley.edu.  Please note that re-opening the form removes the completion for both supervisor and employees so both will need to go in after the edits to re-finalize the form.

Please include the supervisor's name, the employee's name, and the Online Form ID #, in the left column of the Achieve Together Dashboard. 

Those who are performing in the "Needs Attention" level can receive ongoing coaching, development, direction, and support at any time through the year, not just following the merit process. At any time, a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) can be utilized after consulting with your HR Partner. You can review this step-by-step guide for managing performance challenges to consider the Performance Improvement Plan options. 

The Managing Performance Challenges Guide and Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) documents will be available once the Achieve Together program begins.

While the check-in addresses performance and opportunities for professional development, it should not serve as the official Performance Improvement Plan (PIP). Use this guide for determining whether a performance improvement plan is required, and contact your HR Partner to consider the next steps. 

The Managing Performance Challenges Guide and Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) documents will be available once the Achieve Together program begins.

We've found that ongoing check-in conversations help our managers quickly address any performance issues with constructive feedback. But if an issue persists, we have a structured, documented process and helpful guide to ensure that we're doing our due diligence in relation to the employee and the company. When a manager tells us that a direct report is underperforming, we first ask whether the manager has been setting clear expectations and giving specific, direct feedback via the Check-in process. If not, we recommend that they start there and document those conversations. If the employee still isn't performing after a reasonable amount of time, then we begin the structured performance improvement process.

The Managing Performance Challenges Guide and Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) documents will be available once the Achieve Together program begins.

First, review the Managing Performance Challenges guide and consider if a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) is appropriate. It is encouraged to meet with your HR Partner to discuss the challenges and how they might be more effectively addressed. Using the Achievement Criteria is an incrediby helpful guide to demonstrate performance levels and their responding indicators for Collaboration, Goal Accomplishment, Inclusion & Belonging, Innovation, and overall Job Mastery. These are the keys to aligning the conversation with the specific behaviors, standards, and expectations of non-represented employees and managers/supervisors. 

The Managing Performance Challenges Guide and Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) documents will be available once the Achieve Together program begins.

Check-ins should occur during a regularly scheduled one-on-one. The program is aligned with everyday work and contains less overall documentation compared to year-end reviews. Launching Achieve Together documentation forms takes seconds per employee. With the guided check-in questions and Achievement Criteria as helpful tool, the new process is streamlined for facilitation and documentation. 

Employees should go to their immediate manager/supervisor with questions or concern. If the manager/supervisor is unable to address the concern, or the concern is about the manager/supervisor, then contact your HR Partner. 

The Berkeley People & Culture team has scheduled cascading CalMessages (HR Network --> Managers/Supervisors --> Employees) before the program launch that will drive everyone to training, resources, tutorial videos, and our FAQ. The messages we will share after we launch the program will be timed ahead of check-in conversation deadlines every four months. Unit leaders can contact our project team to request internal communication templates for sharing about the new program internally. The Achieve Together project team is also available for AMAs and presentations on the program and coaching culture.

Contact the team with any questions about communications.

Achieve Together Check-in Conversation online forms can be found on the Online Dashboard. Prior Annual Performance Review forms and any paper forms used for Achieve Together Check-in Conversations are available via a Records Request; they are part of the employee's Personnel file. 

PPSM policy states that a PPSM employee who doesn't receive a rating is therefore deemed to have met expectations (Well Done Performance Level).

The new manager/supervisor will be required to complete the check-in process. What's great about the new program is that new managers won't be stuck with nearly a year's worth of work without the opportunity to effectively observe, reflect, discuss, and document performance. With the new program, new managers/supervisors are easily able to roll-on to the program during the four-month intervals and can quickly access information, training, and resources to effectively support staff be successful participating in Achieve Together.

Do provide documentation of work by using the Achievement Criteria as a tool for organizing your progress, and how you worked with others. This information will be helpful for new managers/supervisors to grasp the understanding of your scale, scope, results, and ways you work.

Sourcing feedback from collaborators can also be helpful to more accurately assess performance progress. 

Additional information can be found by exploring the Achieve Together site. If you can't find the answers you're looking for, you can contact us.

If you can't find the answer to a question you have, you can submit a question for inclusion in the Achieve Together Knowledge Base.

Please submit to achievetogether@berkeley.edu with information regarding your request.

Note: Extension requests are not required for those on leave. For guidance on these scenarios, refer to related questions in this section of the page. 

Both non-represented employees and managers/supervisors are required to collaboratively document check-in conversations 3x annually. Due dates for documentation are August 31, December 31 (adjust for curtailment), and April 30.

Staff on approved short-term or long-term leave are not required to complete work. Staff will be assessed based on the progress and outcomes achieved while they were officially working during any check-in period. Check-in forms can be initiated ahead of documentation deadlines. To be compliant with the Achieve Together program (and the performance appraisal PPSM 23 University of California policy), managers must complete the check-in form every four months (3x annually). You can do this by finalizing your portions of the form, and bypassing employee finalization. In the online form, use the “employee unavailable or refused to sign” button to complete the form when an employee is not available. A notification will be sent to the employee’s inbox indicating you finalized the form without their finalization.

You are not required to complete check-in conversations or forms while on approved leave. Your manager will complete the period’s check-in form without your finalization. If the leave is for only a portion of a check-in period, the manager is encouraged to add notes about the time at work in the check-in period.

A manager can bypass employee finalization in the Online Dashboard check-in form. A notification is sent to the employee indicating they were unavailable or refused to sign the check-in form.

Your manager's manager will be required to complete the check-in conversation and documentation with you for the period.

Managers/supervisors and employees have access to Achieve Together online and in-person training, toolkits, self-study resources, and tutorial videos. Managers are eligible for attending BPM 206 Growing as a Coach to develop their skillset for ongoing workplace coaching.