Hong Kong Civil Service Performance Review System to be Overhauled
New 'bell curve' grading system proposed to better differentiate performance, sparking debate among lawmakers and unions.
Quick Look
- Hong Kong's civil service is set to implement a stricter performance review system with proposed grading distributions.
- The top 10-15% will be 'excellent', the bottom 5-10% will be 'unsatisfactory', and the majority will fall into the 'satisfactory' third tier.
- This 'bell curve' approach aims to reward high performers and address underperformers, but faces opposition from unions concerned about fairness and potential 'sycophancy'.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The Hong Kong government is proposing to revise its civil service performance review system. The current six-tier system will remain, but the distribution of ratings is set to change, with a proposed 'bell curve' approach. This aims to better differentiate performance and ensure rewards and consequences are more clearly linked to work output.
現時公務員評核等級分6級。據本報了解,6級評核機制將維持不變,但擬提出表現最好的第一級佔應不多於10%,但最多可以15%,即約1.7萬至2.5萬人;表現欠佳的第四至第六級共佔不少於10%,最少5%,即約8500至1.7萬人。比例最高是屬表現達應有水平的第三級,提議約佔一半。
表現欠佳不跳point 5年共94人
目前被評為第四級或以下的公務員及已達頂薪點者,將不獲增薪點,而被評為第五及第六級,將立即觸發紀律程序,據悉上述做法亦不變,局方並建議第四至第六級者不應集中於職位低或在試用期的公務員。翻查資料,因表現欠佳而不獲增薪點的公務員過去5年有94人,其中去年有38人,為5年中最多(見表)。
下月發指引 最快10月兩職系先推
據知局方下月將發放正式指引,最快10月實施,初步擬先在兩個職系推行。公務員事務局回覆稱,《施政報告》提出建立更嚴謹的公務員工作表現評核機制,更有效地反映和區分公務員的工作表現等級,令賞罰更分明,局方就此制定優化措施,並會在今年內實施。
特首李家超去年在《施政報告》提出加強公務員評核機制,提到公務員事務局須建立「更嚴謹的評核機制」。局方過往曾回應立法會稱,未有備存各評核級別分佈的比率,不過,局長楊何蓓茵去年受訪時引述研究稱,人事分佈應為「鐘形」,即大部分人屬中等水平,僅少數人屬極低或極高水平,惟各部門資料顯示大部分人集中於前段。
莊豪鋒:打破老奉 指標要客觀
周小松憂衍「擦鞋文化」
贊成引入「拉curve機制」的實政圓桌立法會議員莊豪鋒認為,引入新制度的原意是打破「老奉」獲增薪點的文化,以激勵表現優秀的公務員,但他認為同時要有客觀、透明、可量化的指標做評核標準,避免靠上司主觀印象,否則硬性規定排名最後的5%至10%的人不獲增薪點,反而會打擊士氣。
有工會背景的議員普遍反對引入「拉curve」制。勞工界議員、立法會公務員及資助機構員工事務委員會主席周小松憂慮,即使整體表現好,亦有人因「排隊排得後」而不獲合理評級,容易造成不公平,甚至產生「擦鞋文化」,以獲取較高評級。他認同目前評核制度太寬鬆,應制定更清晰客觀的評核指引,公務員達標便可獲增薪點。
梁籌庭料爭拗增 對新人不公
工聯會理事長、立法會議員黃國反對一刀切「拉curve」,認為評核應實事求是,設表現合理評級;他又擔心,與上司關係好的下屬可能較易獲更高評級。對於有意見認為商界都是「拉curve」,他認為公務員聘用標準更高,且設3年試用期,兩者不應相提並論。
公務員工會聯合會總幹事梁籌庭說,現時已不時收到被評第四級的公務員投訴評級不公,相信日後爭拗更多,亦對經驗較淺的新人不公平。
明報記者
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The new performance review system will be implemented in two civil service ranks by October 2025.
Likely · Within months
There will be increased debate and potential amendments to the proposed grading distribution before full implementation.
Likely · Within months
The number of civil servants not receiving pay increments due to poor performance will increase.
Possible · Within years
Open Questions
- What are the specific objective and quantifiable indicators for performance evaluation?
- How will the 'bell curve' mechanism be implemented in practice across different departments and roles?
- What measures will be in place to prevent a 'sycophancy culture' or subjective bias in ratings?
- What is the exact timeline for the full rollout beyond the initial two departments?






