Narrative:

This report is in regard to [the company's] performance review policy for its aircraft maintenance employees. These performance reviews are based on corporate organizational competencies (core competencies) that are an aspect of the business believed to have the greatest strategic monetary value. Core competencies are designed components of the company's fiscal competitive strategy. These types of competencies are measured at the level of the business organization rather than at the level of the individual amt. This program introduces dangerous 'norms' into the maintenance organization. This 'bottom line' fiscal mentality may put unnecessary pressure on amts to circumvent regulatory compliance in order to make on-time departures. The 'bottom line' mentality emphasizes profit over safety; speed over quality; and ultimately compromises the mechanic's decision-making ability. A program that focuses on financial success promotes the idea that everything boils down to monetary gain. Ethical behavior is not about monetary gain. Evaluating aircraft maintenance technicians on corporate organizational competencies is irresponsible; unethical and potentially dangerous. Evaluating individuals who perform safety-sensitive functions on organizational competencies does nothing to help those individuals improve the knowledge; skills and abilities they need to ensure the safety of flight. All certificate holders are obligated to promote safety and improve the system. It is the responsibility of all certificate holders to follow regulations and to question the actions of any superior (certificated or non-certificated) if any policy contradicts any regulation designed to guarantee airworthiness and to safeguard the flying public. As certificate holders we should not allow our judgment to be influenced by money or other personal gain.as a certificated mechanic; my performance is a public service and; as such; I have a responsibility to the flying public and to the regulatory agencies of the us government charged with the safety and regulation of civil aviation. I must ensure that the flying public has confidence in my knowledge; skill and ability; and that I will exercise the privileges of my certificate and ratings according to the highest principles of ethical conduct.the knowledge; skills and abilities that aircraft maintenance technicians possess are paramount to their success on the job; and these traits require specific attention in the performance evaluation process. An accurate performance evaluation must focus on how the amt uses these traits on a daily basis to ensure the airworthiness of company aircraft and to safeguard the flying public.an effective performance evaluation must primarily assess work methods and the quality of work produced. The usefulness of any employee performance evaluation depends entirely upon the understanding; impartiality and objectivity with which the evaluation is made. A performance evaluation is a basic management tool that can be utilized in multiple ways; such as:help the amt improve his knowledge; skills and abilities.establish guidelines to improve the mx organization's performance.increase the overall quality of work accomplished by the mx organization.identify training deficiencies within the mx organization.help the mx supervisor train and develop their departments.help the mx supervisor assign the most qualified people to a specific job.help the mx manager forecast future training and staffing needs.aircraft maintenance technicians should be evaluated using functional competencies that accurately reflect the knowledge; skills and abilities essential for successful job performance. The functional competencies need to comply with federal aviation regulations and the company's gmm (general maintenance manual) policies.a functional competency is a specific knowledge or skill set that directly relates to successful performance in a particular job classification. This competency is based on federal regulations and occupational qualifications for the particular profession.subject matter experts should write the functional competencies that the amt will be evaluated on. Subject matter experts are individuals who have a thorough knowledge of aviation maintenance; and are currently employed in this field. Subject matter experts are current FAA mechanic/repairman certificate holders that are knowledgeable about amt qualifications; requirements and expectations; furthermore; subject matter experts are well informed about gmm policies and far regulations.functional competencies consist of a title; job responsibilities; and the knowledge; skills; and abilities necessary for successful job performance. An amt's job should consist of a clear set of responsibilities. These responsibilities are the major duties of the position for which the employee is held responsible. A responsibility is described by a statement consisting of an activity clause (the actual responsibility); a connector phrase (so that; in order to); and a measurable end result (what must happen to carry out the actual responsibility). Performance reviews do not identify training deficiencies. Performance reviews are not part of a competency-based training program; nor are they incorporated into the continuing analysis and surveillance system to ensure all parts of the maintenance program are effective and are achieving the desired results as outlined in the gmm.this program appears to focus only on the fiscal component of the airline; not the responsibilities of the maintenance organization. The purpose of this program has never been explained to me; I was simply told to read the performance review and sign it. I am concerned about this program's heavy-handed emphasis on profit. I am also puzzled as to why the terms airworthiness; safety of flight or compliance are not mentioned in this program. It is imperative to prevent the concept of 'profit is king' from being introduced in the maintenance department. Performance reviews should emphasize the importance of the concepts of compliance; airworthiness and safety of flight.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Aviation Maintenance Technician reported concerns about the company imposing a corporate culture on maintenance personnel that puts an emphasis on business goals and may be contrary to safety.

Narrative: This report is in regard to [the company's] performance review policy for its aircraft maintenance employees. These performance reviews are based on corporate organizational competencies (core competencies) that are an aspect of the business believed to have the greatest strategic monetary value. Core competencies are designed components of the company's fiscal competitive strategy. These types of competencies are measured at the level of the business organization rather than at the level of the individual AMT. This program introduces dangerous 'NORMS' into the maintenance organization. This 'bottom line' fiscal mentality may put unnecessary pressure on AMTs to circumvent regulatory compliance in order to make on-time departures. The 'bottom line' mentality emphasizes profit over safety; speed over quality; and ultimately compromises the mechanic's decision-making ability. A program that focuses on financial success promotes the idea that everything boils down to monetary gain. Ethical behavior is not about monetary gain. Evaluating Aircraft Maintenance Technicians on corporate organizational competencies is irresponsible; unethical and potentially dangerous. Evaluating individuals who perform safety-sensitive functions on organizational competencies does nothing to help those individuals improve the knowledge; skills and abilities they need to ensure the safety of flight. All certificate holders are obligated to promote safety and improve the system. It is the responsibility of all certificate holders to follow regulations and to question the actions of any superior (certificated or non-certificated) if any policy contradicts any regulation designed to guarantee airworthiness and to safeguard the flying public. As certificate holders we should not allow our judgment to be influenced by money or other personal gain.As a certificated mechanic; my performance is a public service and; as such; I have a responsibility to the flying public and to the regulatory agencies of the U.S. Government charged with the safety and regulation of civil aviation. I must ensure that the flying public has confidence in my knowledge; skill and ability; and that I will exercise the privileges of my certificate and ratings according to the highest principles of ethical conduct.The knowledge; skills and abilities that Aircraft Maintenance Technicians possess are paramount to their success on the job; and these traits require specific attention in the performance evaluation process. An accurate performance evaluation must focus on how the AMT uses these traits on a daily basis to ensure the airworthiness of company aircraft and to safeguard the flying public.An effective performance evaluation must primarily assess work methods and the quality of work produced. The usefulness of any employee performance evaluation depends entirely upon the understanding; impartiality and objectivity with which the evaluation is made. A performance evaluation is a basic management tool that can be utilized in multiple ways; such as:Help the AMT improve his knowledge; skills and abilities.Establish guidelines to improve the MX organization's performance.Increase the overall quality of work accomplished by the MX organization.Identify training deficiencies within the MX organization.Help the MX Supervisor train and develop their departments.Help the MX Supervisor assign the most qualified people to a specific job.Help the MX Manager forecast future training and staffing needs.Aircraft Maintenance Technicians should be evaluated using functional competencies that accurately reflect the knowledge; skills and abilities essential for successful job performance. The functional competencies need to comply with Federal Aviation Regulations and the company's GMM (General Maintenance Manual) policies.A functional competency is a specific knowledge or skill set that directly relates to successful performance in a particular job classification. This competency is based on federal regulations and occupational qualifications for the particular profession.Subject matter experts should write the functional competencies that the AMT will be evaluated on. Subject matter experts are individuals who have a thorough knowledge of aviation maintenance; and are currently employed in this field. Subject matter experts are current FAA mechanic/repairman certificate holders that are knowledgeable about AMT qualifications; requirements and expectations; furthermore; Subject matter experts are well informed about GMM policies and FAR regulations.Functional competencies consist of a title; job responsibilities; and the knowledge; skills; and abilities necessary for successful job performance. An AMT's job should consist of a clear set of responsibilities. These responsibilities are the major duties of the position for which the employee is held responsible. A responsibility is described by a statement consisting of an activity clause (the actual responsibility); a connector phrase (so that; in order to); and a measurable end result (what must happen to carry out the actual responsibility). Performance reviews do not identify training deficiencies. Performance reviews are not part of a competency-based training program; nor are they incorporated into the Continuing Analysis and Surveillance System to ensure all parts of the maintenance program are effective and are achieving the desired results as outlined in the GMM.This program appears to focus only on the fiscal component of the airline; not the responsibilities of the maintenance organization. The purpose of this program has never been explained to me; I was simply told to read the performance review and sign it. I am concerned about this program's heavy-handed emphasis on profit. I am also puzzled as to why the terms airworthiness; safety of flight or compliance are not mentioned in this program. It is imperative to prevent the concept of 'profit is king' from being introduced in the maintenance department. Performance reviews should emphasize the importance of the concepts of compliance; airworthiness and safety of flight.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.