 Janet Thomas DOH 5/01/2010 Senior System Analyst – 10 years of experience.  Job Duties: develop and implement a new system for patient tracking. Train and assist colleagues. Provide assistance resolving any system issues that may arise.  In her first yearly evaluation with the company Ms. Thomas received a score of 1.6 due to challenges with her communication styles with her colleagues and customers. Her lack of engagement when working in the design of the new system also led to the low score. In addition, she’s missed several deadlines and needs to improve in keeping appropriate documentation so there’s a clear trail of the decision and discussions that were held with customers. Case 2

Upon meeting with her Manager it was noticed that she had passed her 90 day evaluation with flying colors. She was asked by her manager to complete a self evaluation so then he could decide what the next steps to follow should be. Ms. Thomas completed her self assessment and explained that she felt she had contributed enormously in the design and creation of the new system and that she was a quick learner. She did acknowledge that she was having communication issues with her colleagues due to stress and what she believed to be unrealistic expectations. Case 2

 Due to her low score Ms. Thomas was put in a 30 day Performance Improvement Plan. She was given in writing specific areas where she was expected to immediately improve: 1.Interpersonal Skills Communications- she must stop having inappropriate interactions with her colleagues and peers; such as expressions of anger and frustration towards colleagues and creating a hostile work environment. 2.Task management- she must cease on providing unclear or conflicting directions, as well as changing task management, deadlines and requirements without prior approval. 3.Poor documentation - meeting minutes are in many cases non-existent which leads to confusions about decisions made, workflow and system design. Case 2

 The goal was for her to improve all aspects of project delivery, including structure and organization, clear communication, content knowledge, attention to detail, ability to work as a team, meet deadlines and deliver consistent projects.  She will meet with her Sr. Analyst Manager on a weekly basis to discuss task and work products.  Within 30 days she will meet again with her manager to determine if deficiencies have been satisfactorily corrected, if the improvement plan must be extended or if further actions, including termination of employment is necessary.  Ms. Thomas was given a copy of her Performance Improvement Plan for her records, signed on 2/04/2011. Case 2

What would you have done? Do you believe the employee should have been given the Performance Improvement Plan? What do you do when you have employees with great skills but poor performance? What type of programs would you have implemented? What would you have done differently and why? Questions?