Key public sector staff in Bahrain are to face a tough new assessment of their abilities.
A performance-based appraisal has been launched in a bid to promote the culture of meritocracy, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.
The newly-devised scheme will be enforced on all employees, including, directors and assistant under-secretaries.
It was unveiled as His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa chaired the weekly Cabinet meeting.
Four new benchmarks will be used in assessing performance – exceeding expectations, fully meeting expectations, partially meeting expectations and needs to improve performance.
The new scheme will replace the old one, which is also based on five assessment benchmarks – Excellent, very good, good, satisfactory and weak.
Deputy Premier and Civil Service Council vice-chairman Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa outlined the multi-phased scheme, which will be implemented over four years.
The systematic standard procedures will provide measurable indicators to identify successful practices.
Results will serve as a basis to award bonuses, incentives and promotions and tailored training programmes.
“Under the new appraisal, 65 per cent to 70 per cent of employees will fall in the second category – that is Fully Meeting Expectations,” Cabinet secretary-general Dr Yaser bin Essa Al Naser said.
“The new assessment system will link employee-centred goals with the strategic targets and help reveal national competences,” he said.
