Performance Cycle > FAQs tab
What are Secret Links?
Secret links give an employee access to a specific phase of a Performance Cycle outside of its normal open dates – either before that phase opens or after it has closed. They are auto-generated on the Cycle’s FAQs tab and can be copied and shared directly with one or more employees.
When to use them
Use a secret link when an employee did not complete a phase of the Performance Cycle before it ended (for example, they missed the deadline for the engagement survey or a manager review) and needs a way back in to finish it.
Important: the cycle must still be open
Secret links can only be generated and shared while the overall Performance Cycle is still open. Once the full cycle has closed, these links are no longer available, so requests to reopen access should be handled before the cycle end date (typically the end of the Conversations phase).
Where to find them
Go to Admin > Cycles and open the relevant Performance Cycle.
Select the FAQs tab.
Under Secret links, you’ll see links to each of the phases you have actively running in your Performance Cycle. For example:
You & your network
Upward feedback, peer feedback, engagement survey
Manager reviews
Choose the link matching the phase the employee needs, then select Copy link to the clipboard.
Share the copied link directly with the employee (e.g. via email).
Link expiry – 72 hours
Secret links are valid for 72 hours from the time they are generated (i.e. from when the FAQs page is loaded). The exact expiry date and time is shown on the page next to each link.
If the employee does not use the link within that 72-hour window, it will expire. There is no way to extend an expired link – the employee will need to contact their System Admin again, who can refresh the FAQs page to generate a new set of links and share the relevant one.
Note: Refreshing the page generates brand new links (with a new 72-hour window) for all three categories, replacing the previous ones.
Quick reference
Question | Answer |
Who can access secret links? | System Admins |
Who are they shared with? | Employees who missed a phase of the Performance Cycle |
Can they be used after the full cycle closes? | No – the overall cycle must still be open |
How long are they valid? | 72 hours from generation |
What if a link expires unused? | Employee must contact their Admin for a new link |