Managing Staff for Improved Performance

Description

Managing Staff for Improved Performance provides a comprehensive guide to people management in schools, giving school leaders and managers clear insights into how to develop employee performance and ensure high quality service in education. Middlewood and Abbott explore human resource management (HRM) theory and practice, drawing on examples from a wide-range of school contexts across many different countries. They examine what is meant by all levels of performance, from excellent to poor, and offer strategies for evaluating the performance of all staff – starting with the school leader. The authors also explore a range of issues including recruitment, performance-related pay, working with unions and other professional organisations, engaging stakeholders and the thorny issues around dismissal procedures. Throughout this comprehensive guide for aspiring and practising school leaders, the emphasis is on taking a proactive and positive approach with a view to developing a culture within the organisation which only accepts very effective performance, and supports the style and approach of the school leader. Cover Half Title Series Title Copyright Contents Figures About the authors Preface Abbreviations Part one Issues in managing staff performance Chapter 1 The changing context for managing performance Policy reform Impact on work in education Managing performance and underperformance Developing performance standards Conclusion Summary Recommended reading Chapter 2 Understanding how schools operate Introduction Ensuring an ethical approach The importance of diversity Ensuring adherence to relevant legislation Equal opportunities Data protection Micro-politics Relevant leadership and management Summary Recommended reading Chapter 3 Developing a positive culture for managing staff performance Introduction Concepts of culture Staff morale, motivation and job satisfaction Staff emotional health and well-being Relationship between cultures and structures Concerns for leaders and managers themselves Recommended reading Chapter 4 Identifying different levels of performance Introduction Levels of performance Professionalism Some possible associated character traits Impact of different performers on other staff Contextual factors Summary Recommended reading Part two Examining and addressing the issues Chapter 5 Examining the leader’s role Introduction Begin with yourself Leadership styles Effective recruitment and selection Personnel Criteria Methods of selection Assessment of performance Summary Recommended reading Chapter 6 Understanding factors affecting staff performance Introduction The nature of the job itself The capability of the jobholder Attitudes towards the work External factors which can impact on performance Membership of school teams Pay – the issue of financial rewards and incentives Summary Recommended reading Chapter 7 Strategies to support and improve performance Introduction The importance of effective induction Why is an effective induction important? Features of an effective induction Effective appraisal of performance in education Consistency and regularity in approach Mentoring and coaching Customized professional learning and development Summary Recommended reading Chapter 8 Dealing with under-performance Introduction A changing context for under-performing teachers Possible reasons for under-performance Key principles in dealing with under-performers Act earlier rather than later Be consistent in your dealings with the person concerned Be as impersonal and objective as possible Ensure everything is fair and transparent Ensure that support strategies have been exhausted before moving to disciplinary procedures Strategies for dealing with under-performers Options available when no improvement has proved possible The ultimate option of dismissal Summary Recommended reading Part three Developing effective partnerships Chapter 9 Managing staff departures effectively Introduction Management of processes leading to dismissal Management of making a staff member redundant Managing reduction of full-time to part-time employment Managing staff retirement Writing references for departing staff Managing the leader’s departure and its implications Summary Recommended reading Chapter 10 Working with trade unions and professional associations Introduction History and development of trade unions and professional organizations Working at a local level Continuity, consistency and commitment Leaders’ professional support Conclusion Summary Recommended reading Chapter 11 Engaging with other stakeholders Introduction Working with stakeholders Communication with stakeholders Stakeholders and school improvement Summary Recommended reading Chapter 12 Conclusions and reflections Introduction The significance of school staff performance Some conclusions Implications for the future Summary References Subject index