University of Wisconsin–Madison

Manager Tasks in Performance Reviews

Process considerations

Refer to the Employee and Manager Tip Sheet for Performance Reviews for detailed information on the overall process, template designs, and rating scales.

   

Part 1 - Set content

Set Content is the first step in the review process for the following review templates:

  • Performance Review – Staff (Annual, Midpoint)
  • Probation Review – Staff (Midpoint, Final)

The Set Content step allows the manager to review and adjust the job responsibilities, and update and add goals.

  1. From the Workday Home Page, click on My Tasks (inbox icon) in the upper right corner. 
  2. Select the Set Content task.
  3. Click Get Started.
    Note: If a pop-up box appears, it is showing the standard job responsibilities from the Job Profile for reference. Click the X in the upper right corner to close the pop-up.
  4. Under Job Responsibilities:
    1. Optional: Edit existing text.
    2. Optional: Click Remove to remove a job responsibility.
    3. Optional: Click Add to enter a responsibility.
  5. Click Next.
  6. If the Discussion Questions – Job Engagement section is included, no changes can be made. Click Next.
  7. Under Goals:
    1. Optional: Update Goal, Description, Due Date, Status
    2. Click Add to create a new goal.
      1. Enter the Goal
      2. Optional: Description, Due Date, Status
        Note: Although optional, best practice is to set new goals status to Not Started.
        Note: If a goal is added in error, click Remove.
  8. Click Submit.
    Note: Click Save for Later if you would like to save your current progress before exiting the task.

Next steps

After the Set Content step is submitted, the next task will go to the employee.

Part 2 - Manager evaluation

The Manager Evaluation step will begin next and send for all templates:

  • Ad-Hoc Performance Review
  • New Employee Goals and Expectations – Staff
  • Performance Review – Staff (Annual, Midpoint)
  • Probation Review – Staff (Midpoint, Final)

This step allows the manager to provide item ratings, comments, and an overall rating for the employee. The sections of the evaluation will vary depending on the template in use.

  1. From the Workday Home Page, click on My Tasks (inbox icon) in the upper right corner.
  2. Select the Manager Evaluation task.
  3. Click Get Started.
  4. If the Job Responsibilities section is present:
    1. Select a Rating for each job responsibility. Rating Description will show when a Rating is selected. *New Employee Goals and Expectations template does not include ratings.
      1. Optional: Enter a Comment for each job responsibility.
    Note: Refer to the help text instructions in the task, regarding the use of the Add or Remove buttons.
  5. Click Next.
  6. If the Discussion Questions – Job Engagement section is included or a section titled Performance Evaluation, Teaching, Professional Activity, or Service:  

    1. Enter an Answer.
    Note: Depending on the template in use, this may be Optional.
  7. Click Next.
  8. If the Goals section is present:
    1. Optional: Update existing goals: Goal, Description, Due Date, Status
    2. Optional: Comment on goal progress.
    Note: Best practice is to discuss with the employee before any goal changes or additions. If a goal is added in error, click Remove.
    Warning: Comment will not be present on the Goals and Expectations template.
  9. Click Next.
  10. Optional: Upload any Supporting Documents.
  11. Click Next.
  12. If the Overall section is present:
    1. Select a Rating. Rating Description will show when a Rating is selected.
  13. Click Next.
  14. Review the Manager Evaluation
  15. Click Submit.
    Note: Click Save for Later if you would like to save your current progress before exiting the task.
    Note: UW–Madison will not be using this evaluation process for Faculty and Instructional Academic Staff.

Next steps

After submitting the Manager Evaluation, a To Do step will appear to Schedule a Review Discussion with the employee.

Part 3 - Schedule review discussion

The Schedule Review Discussion task is a To Do and serves as a reminder to the manager to schedule a meeting (outside of Workday) with the employee to discuss the performance review. Once the task is submitted, the review will be sent to the employee for acknowledgment.

  1. From the Workday Home Page, click on My Tasks (inbox icon) in the upper right corner.
  2. Select the Schedule Review Discussion task.
  3. Once the review has been discussed with the employee, click Submit.
    Warning: Once you have completed "Schedule Review Discussion" it will be sent to the employee. Do not hit submit if you do not want the evaluation to be seen by the employee before the review conversation.

Next steps

The next step in the process will route to the employee and the employee will acknowledge. Then the process will return to the manager for final acknowledgment.

Part 4 - Provide manager review comments

  1. From the Workday Home Page, click on My Tasks (inbox icon) in the upper right corner.
  2. Select the Manager Evaluation task.
  3. Click Get Started.
  4. Review content of the completed evaluation then click Next.
  5. Select a Status.
  6. Optional: Enter a Comment.
  7. Click Submit.
    Note: Click Save for Later if you would like to save your current progress before exiting the task.

Next steps

This is the final step in the process and finishes the evaluation.

Questions?

Contact ohr_perf_mgmt@ohr.wisc.edu.

Updated: May 19, 2025Source URL: https://hr.wisc.edu/hr-guides/for-managers-and-supervisors/manager-tasks-in-performance-reviews/

Did you find what you need?