Pims’ unique approach to improving staff performance

Published January 18, 2015
Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) in Islamabad— Courtesy wikimedia.org
Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) in Islamabad— Courtesy wikimedia.org

ISLAMABAD: The management at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) is trying a new approach to improve staff performance based on rewarding employees for performing well rather than penalising underperformance.

Pims Vice Chancellor (VC) Dr Khaleeq uz Zaman on Saturday visited different departments around 8 am and instructed every staff member who was present to write their name and signature on a piece of paper. He collected these pieces of paper and left.

“The VC continued to do rounds of wards and outpatient departments until 9:30 am. We thought that he would take strict action against those who were not present,” a Pims official told Dawn.

He said that a number of doctors, paramedics and other members of staff are routinely late in the morning as there is no check on them by management.

“People who were late were worried all day. There were rumors that they might get suspended or transferred to other departments,” he said.

“Finally, at 1pm the VC office asked all the supervisors of all departments to come for a meeting. This caused panic among those who were late,” he added.

However, during the meeting, the supervisors were instructed by the VC to issue appreciation letters to those were present at the time of the VC’s visit.

The supervisors were asked to ignore those who were absent or late and not penalise them.

“Although this was good news for those who come late but people were confused by this new approach,” he said.


Underperformance will no longer be penalised, instead good performance will be rewarded.


When contacted Dr Khaleeq uz Zaman told Dawn that in the past action has been taken against those who underperform but this has not improved overall staff performance.

“I have decided to start rewarding those who are punctual and perform well. Not only appreciation letters would be issued to punctual employees but promotions and other incentives would also be given,” he said.

Dr Khaleeq, who is also head of the administrative committee of Pims, said that he would not take action against those who have failed to deliver. However, they will be completely ignored.

“They will not be promoted or given bonuses. I believe that this policy will be successful because those who work hard will no longer feel like they are not rewarded and they will be encouraged to keep working hard,” he said.

The VC said that he is aware of the problems at Pims and hopes that issues like cleanliness at the wards and punctuality of staff can be improved through this new policy.

Published in Dawn January 18th , 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play

Opinion

Editorial

‘Source of terror’
29 Mar, 2024

‘Source of terror’

ALTHOUGH dealing with the presence of terrorist groups in Afghanistan is a major political, security and strategic...
Chipping in
29 Mar, 2024

Chipping in

FEDERAL infrastructure development schemes are located in the provinces. Most such projects — for instance,...
Toxic emitters
29 Mar, 2024

Toxic emitters

IT is concerning to note that dozens of industries have been violating environmental laws in and around Islamabad....
Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...