The management of the County's most important assets, its employees, and good morale among County employees is essential to effective government and the efficient provision of governmental services to the citizens of El Paso County. A good understanding of employment policies and procedures together with uniform and fair administration is essential to the development and maintenance of good employee relations. As such, the County's HR Department, shall revise and implement County policies, as necessary, to ensure a progressive County organization.

As the Human Resources Office continues to explore areas to improve upon that will better align the County's goal to ensure a Professional, Effective County Government, the Human Resources Department, in conjunction with Department Heads and Elected Officials, have reviewed and revised this particular policy to better aid departments in accomplishing their strategic goals via performance management. 

This policy was last revised in October 2017 when a complete overhaul was implemented with the manner in which County employees are evaluated. This new system incorporated quarterly coaching sessions, and ensured the performance of employees is strategically centered around assigned goals that produce results. In launching this system last October, a few areas were identified in need of adjustment.

The significant changes of this policy include:

• Removing the word "Annual" as the forms an policy are to be used for annual, probation, and unscheduled evaluations;
• Addition of language to clarify when evaluations are due for employees who require an evaluation outside of the end of the fiscal year.  This would apply to employees who are within their probationary period due to their first year of employment, promotion, or demotion;
• Addition of language to clarify the process that shall be used when conducting Probationary Evaluations;
• Clarification made to the process on conducting unscheduled evaluations;
• Addition of language that prohibits retro payments for evaluations that are not received timely unless approved by Commissioners Court on a case by case basis; and
• Addition of language to clarify when unscheduled evaluations should be conducted.

This policy was reviewed by the County Attorney's Office and presented to the Civil Service Commission for recommendation and approval on Tuesday, September 4, 2018.