New Evaluation Program for Hourly Associates Gets High Marks
Jessica Kaiser, foreman at Ramstein AB’s Taco Bell in Germany, performed one of the first evaluations under the new system.
Thousands of hourly paid Exchange associates—nearly 70 percent of the total workforce—are using a new performance evaluation program.
The first new evaluation program in 25 years took effect Oct 1. The goals for the program are to recognize achievements, differentiate performance, evaluate job progress, and identify further development of skills and strengths, said Director HR CONUS Operations Arna Yarbrough, the project co-leader.
About 136 ratees along with their raters and approvers at 12 Exchange stores and distribution centers around the world tested the system from 18-30 October and generally gave it two thumbs up after recommending minor cosmetic tweaks.
Encouraging honest, open, consistent communication
Generally, during the testing phase, raters and approvers called the program “user-friendly” and easy to complete.
According to Regina Russell, area loss prevention manager at Fort Lee, Va., “The new Performance Evaluation system worked great for me. The flow of the system was easy to understand which allowed me to differentiate rating an associate that wasn’t a three but not quite a five. The associate stated he liked the new process better than the old one as he had the option to send to his approver for comments.”
“The new program is having a worldwide impact on the Exchange associates now they are able to get the feedback they deserve and need.”
-Arna Yarbrough, director, HR CONUS Operations, project co-leader
The program encourages open, honest, and consistent communication between supervisors and associates.
The first associate rated on the new system, Alexander Cyriaque, a food service worker at Ramstein AB’s Taco Bell in Germany, said, “The new PER system was so quick and easy, it took hardly any time at all. The rating was very easy to understand and I know exactly where I stand with my performance.”
‘Long overdue’
CAMP FOSTER, Japan – Exchange managers Tonja Norris and Suki Packer award PowerZone Sales Area Manager Bobby Brown and Hardlines Supervisor Michel Itokazu for translating the language in the new performance evaluation system.
Ninety-nine evaluations were completed during the pilot, which allowed assessment of the system prior to the system doing live.
Sue Marble, HR manager at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., said “This is a long overdue and good change.”
Other test locations were Fort Hood and Fort Bliss, both in Texas; Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico; HQ; the Dan Daniel and Waco distribution centers; Camp Foster, Japan; Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; and Nellis AFB, Nev. The locations covered all Exchange regions.
“We are very happy with the positive reviews we’ve received during the pilot test, which helped us fine-tune the system before launching it worldwide,” Yarbrough said. “The new program is having a worldwide impact on the Exchange associates now they are able to get the feedback they deserve and need.”
