DD Support Board and Research Team

[shajandr]

Indeed, but annual performance reviews are done in December, with raises and bonuses paid in January.

You will also see a flurry before 30 September because many departmental goals and objectives (e.g., budget compliance, etc) are measured at fiscal year end.

Many employee bonuses comprise a formula that includes (1) departmental performance, and (2) individual performance. So there is pressure to meet the numbers every Q, butt especially at 30 Sept and before Christmas break (before 31 Dec). Many department goals are keyed to fiscal year, individual goals are usually keyed to calendar year.

Departmental performance sets the "bonus pool" amount and individual performance divides up the bonus pool based on individual ratings.

Only individual performance rating goes toward the level of promotion/raise (and there is a schedule, as you know, for grade and years-in-service, so there is more incentive for promotion to move up to a higher grade position).