BUCU officers met with the University on 20 April to provide feedback on the PDR. We will update our membership on what was discussed at that meeting. 

In the meantime, we want to share with you feedback from you on the revised PDRprocess, which has been introduced without agreement with unions. 

Concerns have been raised about workload, clarity and the balance between institutional and individual goals.

1. Increased time required. Many members report spending several hours completing the form, with line managers also facing a substantially higher administrative burden. The form itself is seen as overly long, repetitive and not always intuitive to use.
2. Lack of clarity about expectations. Staff are unsure how much detail is required, particularly around demonstrating alignment with institutional priorities, leading to unnecessary time spent on lengthy written responses.
3. Shift in focus towards institutional strategy at the expense of individual development and career progression. There are practical difficulties in applying SMART targets to roles where work is not easily measurable.
4. Purpose of the process and how the information will be used. Some members report little awareness of consultation prior to implementation.

Overall, the feedback indicates that the revised PDR process is currently more burdensome than was intended. Clearer guidance, meaningful engagement and a review of the process are needed to ensure it is proportionate and fit for purpose.