Dear colleagues,

The University of Pretoria recorded a performance compliance rate of 81% during 2022, which is an improvement of 5% from the previous year. Ideally we should be recording 100% compliance to ensure that all staff are performing tasks that are aligned to the University’ strategic objectives and driving a high-performance culture. 

We are almost at the end of the first half of the year and by now all employees should have finalised their performance contracts for 2023. In line with our Performance Enhancement and Engagement policy, HRCC 05/22, all staff are required to complete their mid-year review to evaluate progress against the set objectives and to reflect on the remainder of the year. 

As a reminder, below are the guidelines and principles for performance agreements and mid-year reviews.

Performance agreements for 2023

Performance contracting provides an opportunity at the beginning of the year to: 

• Plan work and set clear goals which are SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time-bound); 
• Ensure shared commitment to a vision, goals and targets;
• Engage in a series of conversations about what we expect from each other in terms of work output, support, tools, resources, etc;
• Discuss personal development plans; and  
• Upload your performance agreement on the PeopleSoft system.

Mid-year performance reviews

The purpose of the mid-year performance review is to:

• Reflect on and discuss progress made towards the performance agreement and assess whether participants are on track to meet the performance objectives by year-end; 
• Identify and resolve challenges or concerns;
• Review the progress of a personal development plan (PDP); and
• Encourage open and constructive dialogue and exchange of views on progress and development.  

The due date for mid-year reviews is 31 July 2023. 

Please do not hesitate to contact your HR Business Partner should you have any queries.

Yours sincerely,

Ms Sithembile Mbuyisa

Director: Human Resources