COMMUNICATION WORKERS UNION

BT Performance and Appraisal

Branches will be well aware that BT's ePerformance system has gone live in BT Operate, BT Wholesale and part of BT Group functions (excluding Fleet and Procurement and Supply Chain). The system is intended to go live on a phased basis across the other Lines of Business with roll out completed by 1 April 2009.

Further to LTB 372/08, I am able to report that there has now been a fruitful exchange of correspondence between CWU Headquarters and the Company, as well as a productive meeting with the Company that took place on 19 May.

As a result of these exchanges we now have valuable and significant reassurances, in writing, from the Company about the way in which performance management and the ePerformance system will operate.

As colleagues will note from the Company's letter of 30 May 2008 (attached) the assurances include:

• ·         That the intention of ePerformance is to support good performance management practice  and not to generate performance managed exits from the Company
• ·         Re-confirmation that the mandatory guidance to managers carrying out performance related discussions with members prior to a formal PIP being awarded will be applied
• ·         Confirmation that receipt of a GS or NI marking will not automatically lead to the implementation of a formal PiP;
• ·         That negotiations will continue on the governance arrangements for QPRs;
• ·         That the Company will review the operation of the ePerformance system with us in October this year.

While these reassurances are very welcome, there are still concerns around many issues - particularly on the question of levelling and to what extent BT's actual actions will match these commitments.

However, the Executive believes that there have been important changes since the Branch Forum in April, and in keeping with the commitments given previously, will be considering an Emergency Motion for the TIC Conference at the TFSE meeting to be held this Saturday. It is hoped that this will allow Conference to have a constructive and focussed debate on what remains a very challenging and important issue.

Please note that the guidance attached to LTB 372 has been affected by BT's 30 May letter in four regards:

First, clarification has been given that an APR score of GS or NI will not automatically lead to the award of a formal PIP.

Second, the 30 May letter qualifies and clarifies the way in which third-party comments will be used

Third, BT has offered an alternative view of the levelling process which will clearly feature in any ongoing discussions.

Fourth, there is helpful clarification about the need for managers dealing with disagreements over performance markings to be competent to deal with such matters

Finally, it is important to clarify that even though BT's changes are unagreed, our members do not have the right to decline to participate in the use of the ePerformance system. 

To do so could lead to a disciplinary charge on the basis of refusal to follow a reasonable instruction or insubordination.  So while there is an obligation on members to attend, there is a responsibility on BT managers to adhere to the mandatory guidance about how such meetings must be conducted. 

Source: LTB443/08