08-23-1993 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONO COUNCIL MEETING HELD AUGUST 23, 1993 • ( #13) STEP INCREASE CAROLE HASEMAN Kelley pointed out that he had no problem with an increase for Haseman, he just wanted to clarify how the step increase process works. He asked if there was a probationary period for new employees. Moorse confirmed there is a one year probationary period. Kelley asked how many times during this probationary period the employee's job performance was reviewed with a supervisor to see if it is satisfactory. Moorse stated there is not a formal process for review at a three or six month period, but there is a one year review. At that time, the employee is eligible for a step increase and must be doing satisfactory work. Although there is not a formal evaluation throughout the first year, there would be discussions with the employee about any problems. Kelley felt that with current State laws, it would be difficult to dismiss someone after one year without written evidence that they had been met with two or three times during the year regarding their performance. Hurr agreed. Kelley asked if the step increase after one year was automatic. Moorse confirmed that it was if the employee was doing satisfactory work. The dollar amount is established in the Compensation Plan which moves a step at a time. Portions of the step increase have not been given. The next step increase would be after another year of employment. Employees are hired at the entry rate and then would show greater proficiency after each step increase. The immediate supervisor writes an evaluation on the employee which is then forwarded to the City Administrator for review. Moorse stated the current evaluation form and format are not very • good and staff has been working on a different evaluation. Kelley thought that after 15 or 20 years there should be that many evaluation forms in the personnel file signed by the employee and supervisor. Currently the process has not been followed through so you would not find that many evaluations. Moorse noted the step process is only used for the first three years, then the general cost of living is the only salary increase. Since there are few people hired, the evaluation process has not been followed through. Moorse stated that if there were significant situations that may lead to the need for documentation of performance, a written reprimand would be done. Kelley wanted to be sure that there is a way that each employee in the City is evaluated on his /her job performance once a year in writing. Goetten agreed. Kelley would like to see the department heads meet with the City Administrator to establish a better evaluation format. Jabbour asked if anyone ever went backward on the steps. Moorse replied that the compensation plan says you can. Jabbour thought a merit system could be considered. Hurr reiterated that the step process is only used for three years, then even if an employee were doing an exceptional job, only a cost of living increase would be given. She felt some further reward should be considered and that maybe a step increase should not be given for "just satisfactory" work. Hurr asked to see the current evaluation. Moorse stated it would be better to look at two formats being considered. 14 •