The RPD (Reflect, Plan and Develop) is a University-wide appraisal scheme and all staff should have the opportunity to participate. The same RPD process applies to everyone. RPD is one of the most important areas Athena SWAN is keen to promote, develop and progress. This comes across in the Kent’s Athena SWAN Bronze action plan which has several RPD related actions in it.
The results of the staff survey in 2017 revealed that slightly higher proportion of PS staff (72%) had had their appraisals compared to academic staff (68%). There was no specific gender inequalities, however it shows that not all staff is covered by RPD. These findings are addressed in the Bronze action plan.
As the University is now working towards Athena SWAN Silver looking at progressing and supporting all staff demographics and all genders in levels is more important than ever. Whether you are an appraiser or and appraisee both Athena SWAN and Learning and Development teams are here to help you navigate through the process.
Background: The RPD (Reflect, Plan and Develop) process was introduced at Kent in 2013. Later a Staff Development Policy was published that requires managers to have at least one appraisal discussion with staff per annum. The latest additions to these is the Staff Connect system that allows to record and review appraisal documents by managers and staff. Alongside all this regular training workshops have been and will be held both for appraisers and appraises.