Possible dismissal?

AllSpent

I have been advised by my employer that I may be subject to a possible 'Capability Policy' with regard to performance. The performance in question relates to a single target I must achieve. The target has been in effect for some time, but has been increasingly micro-managed, leading to level of scrutiny falling on the outliers: me.

The target relates to an amount of time that a certain aspect of my duty must be completed by. The figure is averaged over a period, but carries many variables and anomalies; not to mention the inaccuracy with which the figure is calculated on.

I am employed in the Public Sector. The work requires a certain level of physical fitness.

It seems ludicrous - to me at least - that a young, fit, healthy, and otherwise able employee, would be subject to such a measure, when no other aspect of my work is perceived to be, or has ever been, a problem.

browneyedbazzi

To clarify, do you think that the performance figures aren't being calculated correctly and your performance is actually within acceptable levels? Or do you acknowledge that your performance isn't on target (perhaps due to things that are outside your control)?

People hear 'capability policy' or similar terms and assume that the aim is to manage someone out of a job but the point of these procedures is to identify why someone isn't performing as well as they should be and to provide support to bring them back on target where possible- for some the end result will be that they aren't capable of doing the job and they shouldn't be in that job any longer, but a lot of people get the support they require so they can continue in the job.

chrisv24

As said above, do you feel that you are performing to an acceptable level and the target you have to meet is unrealistic? If so I would sit down and have a discussion with your boss.

Acc72

chrisv24 wrote: »

As said above, do you feel that you are performing to an acceptable level and the target you have to meet is unrealistic? If so I would sit down and have a discussion with your boss.

Although I agree that this could be a positive step to help you in your job, you also need to bear in mind that this could also be a precursor to something else.

Therefore, do not be afraid of raising any issues that you feel may be affecting your ability to complete the task within the timeframe (if indeed that is the case).

eg. require more training, equipment, physical reason, overall workload etc. (if workload, you need to confirm priorities with your manager).

Do others do the same job - do they complete the task within the prescribed timeframe ?

AllSpent

Firstly, thanks for your replies.

To expand on this, I acknowledge that my figures are below the standard required, however, they are not calculated in a consistent, and systematic way. There is never an exact answer as to where the times are taken from, and they are easily (and often) manipulated from the source. Indeed, some staff are so far below the target that the only way this could be possible is by some creative accounting on their part.

My employer argues that, when compared to my peers, and given the same set parameters, they 'can do it', and you can't - or won't, the intimation often feels.

The thing is, they are not comparing apples with apples. The possible obstacles, or causes of under-par performance, are so varied that this particular target is directly affected; the numbers are all crunched together, with no allowance for the possible causes of spurious calculations. 'Statistics, damned lies and statistics' feels wholly relevant in this case.

In fact, the difference in performance between staff is very little; a matter of two to three minutes in some cases. It's because the target is so important to the company that it is managed so vigorously. I would like to think the aim is to support and help me, but I think I would not be far wrong if I ventured it would be used as a tool to manage me out of the door. I know, this is all anecdotal and opinion, but it's worth bearing in mind.

On to a final brief point. The target is essentially unachieveable, and is widely acknowledged as being so. People struggle to do it, feel intimidated by the possible sanctions that are continually espoused by the employer, and do it at the cost of their own health. There are also things which lie out of our control, but the employer argues that this figure is completely within our control.

I have previously cited reasons to my boss why I might not be achieving (the workload and pressure; insufficient time to complete tasks) but it falls on deaf ears. This action only results in the knee-jerk production of various pie-charts and graphs under my nose.

As you have probably noticed, I have been cautious to not identify the employer, or the type of work I undertake. This makes it difficult to give the full facts, but I think I have drawn an impartial and reasonable picture of the situation.

Anyway, I've gone on for long enough. Any thoughts would be appreciated.