Performance Management

Performance management is an ongoing cycle of goal-setting, feedback and review that optimizes an individual’s progress towards organizational goals.

Probationary Period

All newly hired, promoted, or transferred regular staff at Towson University serve a probationary period. Regular non-exempt employees serve a six-month probation and exempt employees serve a 12-month probation.  

During this time period, employees receive training, guidance, instructions and advice from their supervisors. Interim probationary reports are required at mid-point to document an employee’s progress.

If expectations are not being met, an employee may be rejected on probation. Occasionally, an employee on probation gets near the end of the specified time period and is not meeting performance expectations. In those cases, the employee’s probation period may be extended. Should a manager wish to extend the probation period or reject an employee on probation, they must first contact their HR Partner to discuss next steps.

Performance Review Process and Timeline

What is your role as a supervisor?

As a supervisor, you are responsible for providing regular and consistent feedback to your direct report employees. Meeting with your employee(s) in a one-on-one environment is a beneficial way to build a working relationship allowing you both to identify accomplishments and review and adjust goals as necessary. 
At the beginning of the performance review cycle, write the performance review and meet with your next level supervisor to capture their feedback prior to meeting with the employee. After you meet with the employee, submit the review via DocuSign.

Performance reviews are important tools

Performance reviews are important tools for assisting staff in effectively developing their skills and meeting their personal goals which support the mission and values of the university.  Having a performance review provides staff with a roadmap to meet goals and improves overall engagement at work.

 

Beginning of Cycle During the Cycle End of Cycle
Planning Feedback Review
June July - April May
Set goals and expectations Mid-year feedback meeting Supervisor's review

How to Submit a Performance Review

The university’s current 12 month performance review period is from June 1, 2023 through May 31, 2024.

1

Prepare for the Review

Gather supporting documentation such as the employee’s position description, probation reports, past performance reviews, employee’s self-reflection and other performance documentation. Ask each of your direct reports to complete a self-reflection form (DOCX). 

Attend a training session. The OHR is hosting several sessions throughout May to assist supervisors. Refer to the OHR Training Calendar to register.  

2

Write the Review

Write the review using the 2024 Performance Review Form (DOCX). Be sure to confirm the employee’s TU ID using the spreadsheet provided by your HR Partner. It is best to copy and paste both the name and TU ID from the spreadsheet to the form.  

If you have an employee relations concern, including the possibility of submitting a review that “does not meet expectations,” please reach out to your HR Partner as soon as possible for support.  

Example performance review forms:

3

Schedule Meetings

Meet with the next-level supervisor to review key components of your review(s). Are there any important highlights they would like to add? Make these changes prior to meeting with your direct report. 

Meet with your direct report(s). Review performance from the previous year and together, create developmental goals for the upcoming year. Goals may be driven by department, division, university strategic objectives or by the individual. 

4

Finalize the Review and Submit

Make any final changes to the performance review form based on the meeting with the employee. Submit the form through this DocuSign link. Be sure to confirm the employee’s email address, legal or preferred name and their TU ID.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Log into DocuSign from the MyTU dashboard (mytu.towson.edu) using your NetID and password. Click the Manage tab at the top of the screen, and then using the search bar on the right, type “performance review” and filter by 12 months. Next to each entry, you can download the reviews you need.

The current supervisor is responsible for conducting the review (found on the report provided to all supervisors). However, it is encouraged that the current supervisor contact the previous supervisor (if possible), or those that provide day-to-day instruction, to obtain additional feedback regarding performance. 

Employees that completed the review period should receive a review, even if they are leaving the position. It is recommended that supervisors conduct a full review when possible. If the employee has already departed the position, the supervisor may work with their HR Partner to provide a note to the file regarding performance. 

The review process should be administered collaboratively and consistently. The reviewer’s supervisor shall review the content of the review prior to the review discussion between the supervisor and staff employee. The role of the reviewer’s supervisor is to ensure any specific areas of performance are noted, and a consistent approach is applied across the Division or College. The reviewer’s supervisor signs the review last. 
Absolutely! Many supervisors ask their employees to provide a reflection or list of accomplishments prior to the review discussion. In addition, staff employees have the option to add additional feedback or comments once the review is complete. Refer to the Employee Self-Reflection document linked on the Performance Management page. 
If your staff employee is currently on FMLA, complete the review but do not hold the discussion until the employee returns from FMLA.  The review shall only include an assessment of the performance while the employee was active in the role. 

All signatures must be collected via DocuSign. You can access DocuSign through the MyTU dashboard. The OHR will not be accepting returned forms via email or campus mail, unless there is a specific need for an exception. Contact your HR Partner if you believe an exception is needed. 

Yes. However, it is recommended that you conduct the review in person whenever possible. This allows for a better connection with your employee and will generally result in easier back and forth conversation and collaborative goal creation. However, if this is not possible due to a telework agreement that is in place, you can conduct the review remotely.