Union Mail – March 2012

Performance Reviews and Appeals

The end-of-year performance review process will be underway soon and we’d like to remind members of the importance of preparing thoroughly for their review meeting. It is important that you are able to present a positive assessment of your performance over the past twelve months and make an effective case for the rating you deserve.

Your performance rating is not just a statement about your contribution – it is used to determine your annual pay award; your bonus if you are part of the ERIC scheme; the Clear Blue Water bonus and is often used as a factor in selection processes such as promotion or even redundancy. It is therefore important that your rating is a fair reflection of your overall performance.

Calibration and Distribution of Ratings

The implementation of performance management including the calibration process and distribution of performance ratings are matters we regularly discuss with HR and other business areas. Over the past couple of years we have been concerned that too much emphasis has been placed on achievement against absolute targets and that this has resulted in too many employees being rated as ‘Part-Met’. Following our most recent discussions we are more hopeful that this year the calibration process, particularly within the Branch Network, will take a more balanced and holistic view of assessing an individual’s contribution to the business. Of course only time will tell, but we do expect to see a fairer distribution of ratings this year with more employees being rated ‘Met Objectives’ or above.

Appeals Process

We hope that you will be satisfied that your performance rating is a fair reflection of your contribution over the past year. However, if you believe your rating is inappropriate – please use the appeals process.

The first stage of the process is to raise concerns informally or in writing with your manager. You must do this within 5 days of working days of being told your rating. If this fails to resolve the situation you can raise a formal grievance and request that a manager, who is independent from your line, hears your appeal. You must submit your grievance to the Case Management Team, HR, Nationwide House within 10 working days of your informal meeting with your manager. If you are Union member we can help you present your appeal at a grievance meeting.

We know that many employees are reluctant to use the appeal process; either because they do not believe it will alter the outcome or because they are worried about challenging their manager’s decision. We understand these concerns but would encourage members to use the process if they genuinely believe their rating is wrong; the Society accepts that employees have the right to challenge these decisions and that the appeals process should be fair and independent.

Help and Support

If you have any concerns about the performance management process or would like to talk about appealing your rating please call us 01295 710767. There are also some tips about how to prepare for your review meeting and put together an appeal in the ‘Help At Work’ section of this website.

Tim Poil
General Secretary

Redundancies in Nationwide

We are currently supporting a number of members across the Administration Centres who are affected by change programmes and who are at risk of redundancy. The Society is implementing these changes as part of its ‘Cost Challenge’.

Through the collective consultation process we have sought to minimise the number of job losses and the Society has agreed not to fill vacancies within these areas as a first response to cutting costs. We have also agreed that employees impacted by the changes will be able to express a preference to leave (with full redundancy terms) and wherever possible the Society will try to accommodate this request to avoid the need to select individual’s for redundancy. Individual consultation meetings are now underway and Union support is available to members during this process and for those who wish to exercise their right of appeal as set out in the Job Security Policy.

These redundancies are in addition to those already announced across the General Insurance teams in NAC, which are a result of the Society’s decision to outsource this operation to UKI, a division of the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS). Employees in the Claims teams who wish to leave or who are unsuccessful in securing redeployment will be leaving in phased arrangements during May and August.

The Society has also announced its decision to relocate the Treasury Department, moving operations from NAC; some functions will move to London and others to Nationwide House in Swindon. Relocation terms will be available to those employees wishing to move. The Society believes the significant cost of moving operations will be justified by enabling better communication and controls and aid recruitment of employees with Treasury expertise. The move will be phased over a number of years.

Plans have also been announced to pilot the transfer of some back office work within Customer Operations offshore to companies operating with India. This will see a reduction in the number of temporary workers within Customer Operations over the coming years. The Society has restated its commitment not to operate call centres from overseas.

If you are affected by these changes and need support, please call us on 01295 710767.

Tim Poil
General Secretary

Win Tickets to Sweeney Todd

Last Second Tickets (LST) are giving away two tickets and dinner to see Michael Ball and Imelda Staunton in their critically acclaimed production of Sweeney Todd. The production is transferring from Chichester to the West-End for a limited season after many 5 star reviews. If you buy a top priced ticket for the show, you will also get a free pie dinner at Porters (T&C’s apply).

NGSU members can enter the competition by logging onto the LST website from the Services and Benefits section of our website.

Last Second Tickets offer discount and 2 for 1 tickets on many events including shows; concerts and sporting fixtures. Special deals this month include: show and meal deals for Crazy For You; Legally Blonde and Wicked. Comedy fans can buy 2 for 1 tickets for Friday and Saturday nights at Jongleurs Birmingham, Edinburgh, Milton Keynes, Southampton and Watford.

LST are constantly adding new events to our site so keep checking regularly for more great offers.

March’s Draw Results

First Prize: £10,992

Denise Leavey – Winchester

Second Prize: £5,000

Amanda Hoare – Pension Fund Member

Third Prize: £2,000

Julie-Anne Hamill – Feltham

Fourth Prizes: £500

Sarah Ball – Training
Christine Bythway – Sandbach
Patrick Lines – Solution Design – Transformation Del