INSIGHTs & INTUITION

What metrics do you use to measure the success of your employees?

Chris Zygarlicke Director of Employee Development and Engagement University of North Dakota Energy & Environmental Research Center Grand Forks, N.D.

The EERC takes pride in the success of its employees and measures that success through its five core values of being safe, ethical, engaged, effective, and professional. We use an employee review process that revolves around those core values, providing salary raises to reward successful performance along core value guidelines. This could include successful new energy and environmental innovations, project development, or internal systems that allow our organization to thrive ethically and safely.

Each year, through a peer-nominated process, the EERC recognizes five employees who have demonstrated the five core values in action and attitude, giving an award for each at the EERC annual meeting. Successful self-development is also recognized through an employee development program. Our annual employee engagement survey provides metrics on interpersonal connection, morale, and job satisfaction.

At Bismarck Aero Center, all employees are first measured on their alignment with company values. Our company values are paraphrased as being a problem solver, customer focus, coworker loyalty, and being a responsible steward of our community and our industry. Nearly 50% of our annual evaluation is based on values alignment.

Beyond our values, our co-workers focused in technical roles are measured on several factors. We measure efficiency, safety behaviors, quality, and attendance. In addition, we evaluate one’s technical abilities with respect to growth. If we are not seeing the desired skills progression with a co-worker, we try to recalibrate training needs and define matching training resources. We also evaluate if a co-worker exerts traits that bring out the best of others, initiative, and track record of “doing what you said you were going to do.”

My co-workers in leadership capacities measure success by their progress with company goals, performance metrics, and their individual growth goals. Our leadership team is responsible to balance driving performance to goals, and maintaining a high morale amongst co-workers. This starts with clear expectations communicated annually, coupled with periodic check-ins along the way. Company morale is measured through periodic surveys.