Performance and Development Digest (Aug. 29, 2024)

Get Ready for Year-End Performance Reviews  

Managers will conduct evaluations of employee job performance starting Sept. 16 under our new model for Performance & Development (P&D) at Cook Children’s.

These reviews by managers make up one of the two components to your performance evaluation. The other component is Self-Assessment, an optional but highly encouraged tool in Workday that gives you a voice in the process. (Note: Self-Assessments are required for nurses under Magnet designation).

What’s the purpose of performance evaluations? To capture feedback and insights enabling Cook Children’s to make informed talent decisions, including compensation. These evaluations measure your performance based on a defined set of categories that align with our desired culture and ways of working.

Remember … we’re shifting to a universal timeline for performance reviews, rather than anniversary of hire. That means everyone except physicians and teachers, who are on a different track, can expect their year-end evaluations in the fall.  

Managers have a six-week window, from Sept. 16-Oct. 25, to complete the evaluations for their direct reports and hold year-end discussions. Your performance will be based upon how you have performed since October 2023.  

As you know, we have a new rating scale. An overall performance rating of “Inconsistent,” “Strong” or “Exceptional” is generated based on your leader’s assessment of how you performed.  Please refer to the FY24 Year-End training, or the Year-End Performance Review Overview Job Aid for information about the 3-point rating scale and associated behavioral bases for each point on the rating scale. On-demand, role-based training is available, complete with job aids and clickviews (step-by-step instructions). Click here to access these resources. NOTE: Performance & Development information is item No. 4 under Workday Resources Hub.

The next step will be check-in conversations starting in mid-October. That’s when managers meet with their direct reports to discuss their FY24 performance.

Check-in conversations give you the chance to discuss the perspectives you submitted earlier in your Self-Assessment. And it’s the time when managers will be sharing a summary of the Peer Feedback your colleagues submitted. 

To protect your confidentiality, no one besides you, your manager and Human Resources can view your performance evaluation.

This new approach to P&D at Cook Children’s replaces PACE and aims to create a transparent and consistent process for employee reviews, career planning, goal setting and more in Workday. These changes are designed to help you continually strengthen your professional skills to keep Cook Children’s a model of excellence in pediatric health care and workplace culture.

Speak Up on Job Performance through Self-Assessment in Workday

Our transition to a new model for Performance & Development (P&D) at Cook Children’s gives employees a voice in their own job performance reviews.

By using the Self-Assessment tool in Workday, you can share your perspectives and advocate for yourself by reflecting on how you carried out your core job responsibilities during the previous performance year.

The window to complete Self-Assessment runs from Sept. 2-13. These self-evaluations are mandatory for nurses due to Magnet requirements. They’re optional, but highly encouraged, for all other employees.

Self-Assessment asks employees to gauge their contributions and the impact they’ve made as an individual and as a team member. What do you consider your top two accomplishments at work since October 2023? What about your top two areas to strengthen? The summary portion of Self-Assessment asks what you think.   

The feedback you submit is confidential and can be viewed only by you, your manager and Human Resources (HR).

Along with Self-Assessment, the other component of year-end performance evaluations is a review by your manager. Those reviews will be completed this fall, followed by check-in conversation between the managers and each employee who reports to them.   

Our new approach to P&D aims to integrate the Cook Children’s culture into the process of job reviews and other career support for our 10,000 employees across the system. Thank you for the values you demonstrate – kindness, collaboration, imagination, generosity, respect and safety – every day for our patients and one another.  

 For additional resources, go to the Year-End Performance Evaluation Job Aid link or step-by-step screenshots to learn more about submitting your Self-Assessment.  On-demand, role-based training is available, complete with job aids and clickviews (step-by-step instructions). Click here to access these resources. NOTE: Performance & Development information is item No. 4 under Workday Resources Hub.

Ready, Set, Go to Training!

Training is now underway to help you learn more about upcoming changes to job reviews and the Performance and Development (P&D) functionality in Workday.

We’ve designed the training to be informative, engaging and convenient, with various dates and times to fit your schedule. In-person and virtual sessions are offered according to your job role:

• Leaders with Direct Reports - – now through Sept. 13
• All other employees – Sept. 16-Oct. 3

Training is divided into two 90-minute parts. Complete Part 1 before moving on to Part 2.  Use the links below to register in ULearn.

Workday Performance & Development Training - PART 1

Workday Performance & Development Training - PART 2

For the Fiscal Year 2024 Year End activities currently underway, we’ve made on-demand training available you can access here. Instructor-led sessions will cover a wider array of activities, such as goal setting, job coaching, career growth and more, phased in during FY25.

The end of PACE brings a period of adjustment and learning for everyone. Training will be key to the success of our P&D transition. Thank you for helping connect the dots to keep Cook Children’s a workplace of respect, collaboration and excellence.

Email your questions to AskHRIS@cookchildrens.org.  

Resources for You

ICYMI: Please take the time to watch our most recent Town Hall that includes an update from Merridth Simpson, AVP, Human Resources Operations. Merridth present at about the 18-minute mark of the video. Click here to watch the video. 

Tips for Providing Peer Feedback 

Performance & Development Digest: Aug. 15, 2024

Performance & Development Digest: Aug. 1, 2024

Performance & Development Digest: July 18, 2024

Performance & Development: Resources for You (cookchildrensconnect.com)

On-demand, role-based training is available, complete with job aids and clickviews (step-by-step instructions). Click here to access these resources. NOTE: Performance & Development information is item No. 4 under Workday Resources Hub.