A heated emergency meeting of Public Works staff convened yesterday at the Bermuda Industrial Union headquarters.

BIU president Chris Furbert assured The Royal Gazette that there had been no layoffs. According to workers, staff had been taken by surprise by the introduction of employee performance appraisal forms.

Other factors may have contributed. The BIU’s meeting room was packed, though overall turnout was difficult to guess.

A draft copy of the appraisal form appeared to be a standard document in which the reporting officer assesses respective employees by way of ratings and comments.

The reporting officer is then required to present recommendations, which are followed by comments from the employee before the form is signed off by both — with the superintendent signing last.

There is also an asterisk pointer at the end that reminds that the performance appraisal is not to be used as a disciplinary tool.