Dear Colleagues:

During training for the new Performance Management Program, many classified employees raised valid concerns about the fact that merit pay increases were not included at the start of the program. They felt that there was no real incentive for employees to strive for “meets” or “exceeds” expectations ratings if their pay raises were not tied to those ratings.

Staff in University Human Resources recommended and I concurred that a “phase in” approach to the new program would be best, thus giving both classified employees and their supervisors time to familiarize themselves with the new process and forms before adding a merit pay component to the program. As you know, the Performance Management Program is now in place, and I am pleased to announce that the University’s executive officers have approved moving forward with the implementation of merit pay for classified staff beginning July 1, 2004.

Staff from UHR, members of the Project Team, and representatives of Classified Senate will continue to work together to consider and address the intricacies of merit pay distribution. This is an important step in our efforts to connect Ohio University’s Performance Management Program with merit pay, and we will keep you informed as additional information becomes available.

Thank you for your interest in and commitment to this important program.

Robert Glidden
President