Salary Increase: You can only obtain a salary increase by getting a promotion. You have to wait until a position is available and apply for a promotion. However, do not expect the promotion/interview process to be fair. During the last promotion interview, there were only internal applicants for selection. None of the interview questions has anything to do with how to actually accomplish the task. Applicant skills, qualifications, previous evaluations and overall achievements were not taken into consideration when selecting the promotion candidate. It is basically a popularity contest on who management feels deserves a promotion.
Core Dimensions: Task required in addition to the actual work performed. They include 5 categories: Quality Customer Service, Teamwork, Communication, Initiative/Innovations, Flexibility/Adaptability. You must receive proficient rating in at least 4 of 5 in order to pass an evaluation. To obtain an outstanding evaluation you must have 3 of 5 dimensions ranked O for outstanding and none below Proficient.
The problem with this system is that it is incredibly subjective. There are no two managers who grade core dimensions the same. What will pass for one will not work with another. While you have to "consistently" earn cores there is no set minimum for each category. You have to keep track of each time you do anything that might fall under a core and submit it for evaluation at the end of the year. Managers will not give details of what is necessary to achieve each category. Some managers will state "although this task falls under more than one core category, it can only be counted once." It is a required task without a specific set of rules that makes it very difficult to achieve. (Not impossible, but difficult)
While you are provided with time off....the work piles up while you are away. Your assignments belong to you. If you are sick and have to be off for any reason, there are rarely extensions given to complete the work. You may not come in more to make up the time missed, even if it does not create an overtime issue. (If you are sick Monday and are normally off Friday, you can not come in to make up the missed time regardless of what is due)
