'New appraisal system makes reward, punishment clear'

An enhanced appraisal system for civil servants will motivate them to perform better, according to the chief executive.

Starting October 1, about five to 10 percent of those deemed underperformers will not get a salary increment.

At a weekly press briefing on Tuesday, John Lee said the new system is very sensible and practical, which creates a fair reward and punishment mechanism.

“[The] appraisal system is part and parcel of this reward and punishment system. So for those who perform well, they should be credited. For those who are not up to the standard, then they should be told that they need to pull their socks up and work harder. And also, where they do not merit a pay adjustment, then they will not be given a pay adjustment,” he said.

“So this point system is one that will be granted only if the merits deserve it.”

As for those who work hard and are passionate about their jobs, the move will motivate them, Lee added.

He said the Civil Service Bureau had introduced flexibility for the arrangement so that department heads "can within a reasonable room of manoeuvring, inform and report to the bureau" on how the new arrangements can be applied to their teams.

The CE noted that government workers would take time to adjust to the new system, adding the bureau would carry out more explanation exercises.

Meanwhile, Lee said the bureau had been meeting civil service representatives to exchange views on their pay adjustments.

He said the Executive Council would consider the Hong Kong's economy, the changes in the cost of living, the government's fiscal position, the indicators from the pay trend survey, staff pay claims as well as the morale of the civil service before making a final pay decision for the more than 170,000 civil servants in the city.

Edited by Tony Sabine ...