Performance Management Update: A Simpler Path to Recognition
Effective immediately, George Mason is discontinuing the Acknowledgment of Extraordinary Contribution form for classified staff performance evaluations, following guidance from the Department of Human Resource Management (DHRM).
What This Means
- Supervisors can now assign an Outstanding overall performance rating without the extra form.
- Documentation is still required to show how exceptional performance advances unit or institutional goals.
Part of a Merit‑Based Performance Culture
This simplification supports Mason’s multi‑year effort to build a performance system that is engaging, consistent, and aligned with merit.
Current improvement areas include:
- Connecting Performance to Rewards: Exploring stronger links between performance and competitive compensation.
- Improving Consistency: Expanding Unit HR Review across the university.
- Enhancing MasonLEAPS: Ongoing updates to improve usability and streamline the evaluation experience.
Upcoming Learning Opportunities
Learning workshops focused on our performance evaluation process are scheduled and available for registration:
- Performance Engagement and Evaluation for A/P Faculty and Classified Staff (asynchronous)
- Learning Lab: Self-Evaluations & Performance Development
- Setting SMART Goals and Maintaining Momentum (asynchronous)
- Facilitating Meaningful Feedback Conversations: An Engagement Strategy for Supervisors
Key Dates
The 2026 performance evaluation cycle for classified staff and A/P faculty runs: February 16 – April 30, 2026.
More details are available on the annual evaluation guidance website.