Tougher Times May Mean Tougher Performance Evaluations

If you thought you hated performance evaluations before now, you ain't seen nothin' yet.I recently did a story for Gannett/USAToday on where job reviews may be headed:

Performance evaluations have often been derided by managers and employees alike as being unfair, dysfunctional and morale-busting. But in this tough economy, it could just be they become more popular than ever as employers position themselves to not only get rid of “dead wood” in their employment ranks, but as a way to justify the trimming of employee numbers.

“I think we’re going to see a real blooming in corrective actions on the part of employers,” says John Robinson, an employment lawyer with Fowler White Boggs in Tampa, Fla. “Employers are in a ‘what have you done for me lately’ mood.”

That means that if you’ve been showing up late for work for 10 years and no one has said anything, you may be in for a rude awakening in your next performance evaluation. Your behavior may be cited as unacceptable and you will be placed on probation and told to improve your performance or even possibly face being fired, Robinson says.

At the same time, Robinson says workplaces may see more managers write up employees for various infractions, ranging from unmet project deadlines to not getting along with co-workers. This is to avoid the dreaded “naked file,” which is an employee’s personnel file void of any reports citing unacceptable behavior – something needed if a company wants to let an employee go and not face future legal actions for an unfair dismissal.

“If you don’t write it down, it just becomes the employer’s word against the employee’s,” Robinson says. “But performance evaluations and reviews can be used as ammo against people.”

What should employees do if they receive an unfavorable report or performance evaluation? Robinson advises:

• Write back. If there has been a misunderstanding, then write your side of the issue and have it submitted to your manager and put in your personnel file.
• Move forward. “Don’t get into a ‘he said, she said’ kind of thing,” Robinson says. “Outline your action plan and show how you’re going to rise above it and move on. Outline how you see your future at the company and what you’ll contribute.”
• Be specific. Make sure that you point out your skills, training and any certifications as a positive counterpoint to any negative comments made by your manager concerning your performance in a review.

Robinson also warns workers to be cautious if the boss wants to do a review “out of cycle” – before the usual evaluation time. “It’s usually not good news when that happens,” he says.

Robert Hruzek, a project manager for a large global engineering firm in Houston, says that he remembers early in his career when he made mistakes that came back to haunt him during a performance evaluation. Looking back on the experience, he says he was “embarrassed and ashamed” when he received the negative comments from his boss.

“Work started at 7 a.m., but I thought it started at 8 a.m., so I would come meandering in about that time,” Hruzek says. “I was not very well prepared.”

After being offered a token pay raise based on what he now calls his “ridiculous amount” of tardiness, Hruzek decided to stick it out and try and improve his performance. “On reflection, I could see that the boss was right about me. I could have given up and gotten another job. Instead, I decided to stick it out and start showing up on time.”

Still, Hruzek says that times are much tougher now and he agrees with Robinson that employees who have bad habits such as tardiness or absenteeism might not be given another chance.

Notes Robinson: “In this environment, companies are looking for the key players that can give them a winning team. The others may be more expendable.”

What are some lessons you've learned from performance evaluations?

The Dreaded Performance Evaluation

Everyone hates performance appraisals. Bosses hate them because they have to come up with phrases like "does not model significant think-ratio standards throughout processing" and say them with a straight face. Employees hate them because they know that somehow, someway, the evaluation is going to be used to try and screw them out of a raise.

But here's the truth: Performance appraisals aren't going away. Try as they might, the critics aren't going to get rid of a tool that the analysts and bean counters love because, well...who knows why they love stuff like that.

Remember that performance appraisals are sort of like your living epitaph. See them as written in stone, following you throughout career eternity. Past performance appraisals are studied closely when you apply for a new position at your company, when you ask for a raise or when promotions are handed out.

That's why you should put as much effort into your performance appraisal as you did your NCAA basketball bracket. You want to be prepared for anything. Your input — both written and oral — should focus on the great things you have done in the last year, positioning you as an invaluable member of the workforce team.

Here are some things to get you started to performance review greatness:
· Keep a record. If you haven’t been doing so, begin immediately writing down your accomplishments, no matter how small. Maybe you only lent a hand for a day or two in another department, but this shows your willingness to pitch in, learn new skills and be an enthusiastic worker. By jotting down your day-to-day activities, you’ll not only start to track your strengths and skills, but provide solid evidence of your capabilities.
· Get compliments in writing. If a supervisor, or co-worker or customer appreciates your efforts in writing, hang on to those letters or e-mails . If kudos are given orally, write them down, noting the date and circumstances and person involved.
· Study the field. Who is going to be involved in your performance review? What kind of forms will be used? This helps you develop a “game plan” that looks at what subjects will be reviewed, how your performance will be judged, and who will be providing input. If you’ve had a difficult time with a supervisor, prepare to offer evidence on your improvements or commitment to the job. Don’t be defensive or on the attack: let the facts speak for themselves.
· Stay cool. No one likes criticism, but a performance review session often points to your accomplishments as well as your mistakes. If you worry you may get angry, practice with a trusted friend or family member to work on staying calm and focused. Also ,work on your body language — don’t assume a defensive or hostile stance. Maintain eye contact, and try to keep your body relaxed, but attentive.
· Use it as a road map. The performance appraisal process should be a clear indicator of where you need to go in the next year. If a supervisor fails to make this clear, ask for it in writing, or if this doesn’t work, write your own review of the information, and ask a supervisor to read it. This way, you can refer to this map all year long, noting the progress you have made, and will be a key part of your next appraisal.


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