
Performance Management
The practice of retaining high-performing staff involves fostering strong working relationships between managers and employees, wherein performance management is approached as an ongoing dialogue, to create an engaged, focused, and productive work environment.
University policy requires that staff receive a written performance assessment by their manager once a year within the Performance Appraisal System. An assessment serves as a mechanism for providing feedback and documenting an employee’s performance over a defined time period. It offers clear communication of job expectations and help in setting goals. Additionally, an assessment can be a constructive tool for mentoring employees, identifying areas for development, and facilitating improvement.
Staff Performance Management and Merit Pay Program

Human Resources supports a program that leverages various talent management strategies to develop organizational capabilities.
The program emphasizes clear and collaborative goal setting as a foundation for success, ensuring that expectations are well-defined, progress is measurable, and employees are empowered to take ownership of their development.
Building on this foundation, performance check-ins and assessments are focused on meaningful outcomes, fostering timely, actionable, and growth-oriented feedback.
FY 25 Timeline
Date | Activity |
July 1, 2024 – Spring 2025 | Goals established; check-ins take place for ongoing feedback and support. |
Friday, May 2, 2025 | Appraisal forms due to HR |
September 1, 2025 | Effective date for FY25 merit |
For additional information, contact the Organizational Development and Engagement team at talent-dev@udel.edu.