In late July, supervisors received a Workday task to complete performance evaluations for their direct reports. Since this differs from what we’ve done with performance evaluations in the past, we wanted to highlight some key information and instructional materials. The process and timeline outlined below does not apply to evaluations for Faculty and Instructional Academic Staff.
Current Task Assignment in Workday
The current task assignment in Workday is requesting that supervisors and employees set up the goals for the upcoming year and confirm (by entry into Workday) the final overall rating scale (from last year) into Workday. Although this feels like an extra step after completing performance evaluations over the past year, it is a necessary one that has to be completed by the supervisor to document what employees will be rated on in July 2026. If this information is not entered into Workday now, there will be no way to finalize the performance evaluation process next year for employees.
See an outline of the 2025 process, as well as what it will look like going forward in 2026:
Although the task in Workday appears as if it is asking supervisors to re-evaluate direct reports, it is a shortened version of a performance evaluation.
The process for 2025 is outlined below:
- Supervisor receives task “to complete performance evaluation.”
- Supervisor opens the task and confirms and/or modifies job responsibilities. Supervisor also adds goals the employee will be evaluated on for the upcoming year. Supervisor submits.
- Employee receives the task to review the job responsibilities and goals; to make comments and suggest edits. Employee submits.
- Supervisor receives task to review anything from employee and to confirm the final overall rating from last year. Supervisor submits.
- Employee receives task to review this information. Employee reviews and finalizes the goals and overall performance rating from last year. Employee submits. This information is now final.
Supervisors also will upload the previous year’s performance evaluation into Workday.
Annual Timelines
With Workday, all universities will conduct performance reviews on a fiscal year (FY) basis beginning in FY26. The reviews will begin in July of each year following the end of the previous fiscal year and must be completed by Oct. 31. It is important to note that although managers have received the task to complete performance evaluations for the upcoming year (as outlined above), the deadline for finalizing the goals and overall performance rating is not until Oct. 31.
Rating Scales
All UW campuses will use the same performance review rating scales within Workday:
- Failing to Meet Expectations
- Partially Meeting Expectations
- Meeting Expectations
- Exceeding Expectations
Below are links to further instructions regarding performance reviews: