These procedures must be read in conjunction with the Employee Performance Policy.
2. Scope
These procedures apply to all employees.
3. Procedures
3.1 Substandard performance
Superordinates and line managers will:
- base their opinion that an employee’s performance is substandard on evidence and the reasonable expectations of the role; and
- not commence substandard performance management unless an employee has been:
- previously formally advised what aspects of their performance are considered unsatisfactory;
- formally advised of the possible consequences, which may include a range of sanctions, including termination of employment, should their performance be found to be substandard; and
- given a reasonable opportunity and assistance to improve to a satisfactory standard.
In managing substandard performance, line managers will:
- employ and demonstrate a proper and fair process;
- communicate clearly and openly with the employee throughout the process; and
- treat employees with courtesy, sensitivity and consideration.
Guidance
For a flowchart, see Appendix A – Substandard Performance Process – Section 79.
Section 79 of the Public Sector Management Act 1994 provides:
“the performance of an employee is substandard if and only if the employee does not, in the performance of the functions that he or she is required to perform, attain or sustain a standard that a person may reasonably be expected to attain or sustain in the performance of those functions.”
Section 239 of the School Education Act 1999 imports section 79 of the Public Sector Management Act 1994 for members of the teaching staff and other officers.
Wages employees are subject to the common law. Principles of procedural fairness apply to any substandard performance management process.
An employee may be accompanied by a support person at any meeting regarding substandard performance.
The functions of principals and teachers are described in sections 63 and 64 of the School Education Act 1999 and further elaborated under the School Education Act Employees’ (Teachers and Administrators) General Agreement 2014 and the Teachers (Public Sector Primary and Secondary Education) Award 1993.
Expectations for teachers at the Proficient level are described in the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers.
3.2 Employees covered by section 79 of the Public Sector Management Act
3.2.1 Putting the allegation to the employee
Line managers will:
- comprehensively document and conduct substandard performance processes in accordance with section 79 of the Public Sector Management Act 1994 and the principles of procedural fairness; and
- formally brief their superordinate in writing when an employee’s performance may be considered substandard during the performance management process and following provision of appropriate support.
If the superordinate considers that there is reasonable evidence that the employee’s performance may be substandard, the superordinate will make a written recommendation to the Director General or delegate requesting that the allegation of substandard performance is put to the employee.
The Director General or delegate:
- provides the employee with written notification of the areas in which their performance is considered substandard;
- invites the employee to admit or deny the allegations in writing within ten (10) working days; and
- informs the employee that a support person may be present as an observer at any meetings.
3.2.2 Receiving and considering the response
The Director General or delegate:
- considers the employee’s response before taking further action;
- where the employee provides an adequate explanation, informs the employee that no further action will be taken; or
- where the employee does not provide an adequate explanation, informs the employee that the alleged substandard performance will be investigated.
Guidance
Where an allegation of substandard performance is proven, there are sanctions available to employers in accordance with section 79 (3) of the Public Sector Management Act 1994 or any applicable industrial instrument.
Where an employee agrees with the allegation that their performance is substandard, the employer may apply one of the following sanctions:
- withhold for a period as the employer thinks fit an increment of remuneration otherwise payable to the employee;
- reduce the level of classification of that employee; or
- terminate the employment in the public sector of that employee.
3.2.3 Investigation
The Director General or delegate authorises an investigation and provides the employee with an opportunity to attain and sustain performance at the satisfactory standard.
3.2.4 Putting the report to the employee and considering their response
The Director General or delegate provides the employee with:
- a copy of the report, the findings, and any proposed sanctions(s); and
- the opportunity to respond in writing within ten (10) working days.
3.2.5 Notification of decision
After considering the finding and the employee’s response, the Director General or delegate notifies the employee of the decision.
3.2.6 Appeal process
Line managers will inform the employee that they may appeal to the WA Industrial Relations Commission against:
- a finding that their performance is substandard; and /or
- any sanction that has been imposed, except where that sanction is to withhold a salary increment in accordance with section 78(1) (b) of the PSM Act.
3.3 Employees not covered by section 79 of the Public Sector Management Act 1994
Line managers will document and conduct substandard performance processes in accordance with relevant industrial instruments and the principles of procedural fairness. This requires that the allegation of sub-standard performance be put to the employee, they be given a right of response and an opportunity to address the matter.
Guidance
Advice should be sought from Labour Relations regarding the management of substandard performance for wages staff as some industrial instruments may impose certain requirements.
Affording the affected employee procedural fairness and a consideration of the prevailing circumstances is required. An investigation authorised by the Director General or delegate is not required for wages employees, as they are not covered by section 79 of the Public Sector Management Act 1994.
However, there is still a requirement to keep comprehensive documentation and records as an independent review of the process will be undertaken to assist the Director General or delegate to make a decision.
For non-section 79 employees, the only sanctions available for substandard performance are a reprimand, or termination of employment. Only the Director General or delegate can apply a sanction.
If a non-section 79 employee is a union member, the union may take a dispute about the sanction to the WA Industrial Relations Commission. If the sanction is termination of employment, the employee may make an unfair dismissal application to the WA Industrial Relations Commission.
3.3.1 Allegation of substandard performance not upheld
Where an allegation of substandard performance is not upheld, but concerns regarding some aspects of the employee’s performance remain, the line manager will consider and address any work-related issues within the context of performance management.
4. Definitions
A process that demonstrates procedural fairness is one in which:
- decision makers act fairly and provide reasons for decisions;
- the person affected is given a fair hearing;
- all parties to a matter have an opportunity to put their case where an adverse decision or finding is made; and
- all relevant arguments are considered and irrelevant arguments are excluded.
The performance of an employee is substandard if and only if the employee does not, in the performance of the functions that he or she is required to perform, attain or sustain a standard that a person may reasonably be expected to attain or sustain in the performance of those functions
The person to whom an individual’s line manager reports or a more senior manager.
5. Related documents
6. Contact information
Policy manager:
Director, Workforce Policy and Coordination
T: (08) 9264 4135
Policy contact officer:
Manager, Workforce Policy
T: (08) 9264 5040
Other:
Labour Relations
T: (08) 9264 4921
7. History of changes
| Effective date | Last update date | Procedure version no. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21 July 2010 | 5 July 2012 | 1.2 | |
| Guidelines in section 4.2 amended to reflect changes to School Education Act Employees’ (Teachers and Administrators) General Agreement as per D12/0372966, nomenclature throughout policy updated, definition of performance management updated. | |||
| 28 September 2012 | 1.3 | ||
| Changes to reflect the National Professional Standards for Teachers. Changes endorsed by Corporate Executive at meeting 7 September 2012. | |||
| 28 September 2012 | 11 July 2013 | 1.3 | |
| Amendment of references to National Professional Standards for Teachers to Australian Professional Standards for Teachers. D13/0098087 Amendment to references to documents as per D13/0222254. | |||
| 28 September 2012 | 23 August 2013 | 1.3 | |
| Updated link to Australian Professional Standard for Teachers in Appendix A. D13/0394461 | |||
| 17 December 2013 | 1.4 | ||
| Addition of procedure at section 4.2 and Appendix C. Changes endorsed by Corporate Executive 2 December 2013. | |||
| 17 December 2013 | 19 December 2013 | 1.4 | |
| Addition of point about leave management to Appendix A, Section 3. D13/0666788 | |||
| 17 December 2013 | 27 February 2014 | 1.5 | |
| Minor change to formatting in Appendix C. D14/0061908 | |||
| 28 July 2014 | 1.6 | ||
| Numerous changes throughout policy D14/0259580, D14/0323911 and D14/0369019. | |||
| 28 July 2014 | 1.7 | ||
| Appendix B updated to reflect v1.6 changes prior to policy taking effect. | |||
| 28 July 1914 | 12 September 2014 | 1.8 | |
| Update to guidance re: professional development and career guidance in section 4.2. D14/0434228. | |||
| 28 July 2014 | 1 December 2014 | 1.9 | |
| Minor changes to guidance and appendix C. D14/0527043. | |||
| 15 March 2016 | 2.0 | ||
| Major review undertaken and policy reformatted into policy and procedures. Endorsed by the Director General at Corporate Executive on 12 February 2016. | |||
| 15 March 2016 | 28 April 2016 | 2.1 | |
| Corrected link for Australian Professional Standards for Teachers. D16/0260595 | |||
| 15 March 2016 | 10 June 2016 | 2.2 | |
| Minor amendments in response to Corporate Executive decision on 12 February 2016. Endorsed by the Director General at Corporate Executive on 29 April 2016. Minor amendments to Appendix C, Employee Performance Procedures and Appendix A, Substandard Performance Procedures confirmed by Policy Subcommittee on 1 June 2016. | |||
| 15 March 2016 | 21 June 2017 | 2.3 | |
| Minor typo change to guidance under section 3.3 D17/0263489 | |||
| 15 March 2016 | 25 May 2020 | 2.4 | |
| Minor changes to update broken links. D20/0260934 | |||
8. Appendices
Appendix A: Substandard Performance Process Section 79 (PDF file - 53.8kB)
9. More information
This procedure:
Substandard Performance Procedures v2.4
Please ensure you also download the policy supported by this procedure.
Supported policy:
Procedure review date
15 March 2019
Procedure last updated
25 May 2020