Bauska Municipality Evaluates Staff Every Year, Affecting Pay and Extra Leave

Bauska Municipality in Latvia's Zemgale region carries out an annual evaluation of its employees, and the outcome affects the variable part of their pay and whether they receive extra leave days. Municipal leaders explained this to the local outlet Bauskas Dzīve in response to a question about the benefits of the multi-stage assessment.

How pay is determined

Edgars Paičs, head of the municipal administration, said salaries are governed by law, which sets the job family and level of each employee. The municipality's remuneration regulations provide for a salary with a fixed and a variable part. The variable part is set according to the annual assessment, which looks at qualifications, workload and achievements.

According to him, the assessment also determines extra leave days if an employee has done more. The head of a unit or institution considers whether the person has studied and developed professionally. If not, the reasons must be analysed and a decision made on whether to send the employee to training or move them to another post. Heads of institutions are themselves evaluated by the executive director.

Plans for more frequent assessment

Paičs called the evaluation a "normal process" but said it could be done more actively. The municipality plans to do it more often, setting short-term goals and expected results. He acknowledged that situations differ and that it must be judged how capable an employee is and whether additional education or skills are needed.

The executive director's view

Ivars Romānovs, the municipality's executive director, said that training groups attended by municipal leaders showed employees lack daily attention from management, feedback and motivating stories. In his view, more frequent communication, not only about tasks but also about training needs and process improvements, makes staff feel more valued, motivated and loyal. He added that the evaluation also works as a record-keeping system, showing who makes no effort and does everything only as a formality.