"Performance appraisals," "annual review," whatever you call it, at work,

[raccoon]

scare me. I've got one coming up.

At one time, they didn't. but they do now. And it isn't as if it is going to make any difference in my compensation--it won't.

Your thoughts, experiences?

[cbrer]

1. It's one of those great ideas

That, for the most part, turned into a management weapon. Instead of being a way to adjust and fine tune ones performance to more closely align with company goals and long term strategy, it has, in many cases, become a way to justify witholding benefits and/or pay raises. All in line with a philosophy of maximizing profit for minimum cost.

That doesn't mean that American business isn't responsible for bringing the greatest amount of wealth to the world.

It means keep your resume' updated.

Maintain contacts and current professional training and standing(s). Treat your professional life as a tool to bring you the financial goals you want in life.

It's NOT your life. It's not WHO you are. It's a means to an end.

Unless you're one of the lucky few that are working at something you love. Then dive in!

What is life about? The 3 "L"s: Life, Love, and Learning. Indulge all you can!

Ummm, did I go off on a tangent? Sorry...

[ohiosmith]

2. I used them an opportunity to discuss the value I brought to the organization. I would discuss my

achievements giving specific examples of where/how my team reduced costs, increased profit, improved customer satisfaction, and streamlined processes.

Good luck!

[OriginalGeek]

3. I've been at my company for 12 years

Never had a bad review and, usually, the part where my boss has to pick something for me to work on for the next year is just some little BS thing that my boss admits he has to do because he isn't allowed to leave it blank...and truthfully, nobody is perfect (as me. Lol!) so it doesn't hurt to work on something - it's usually online classes to keep me updated on the technology involved in my job. (Which I would have done anyway so it's a win/win - he gets to put something down without feeling like he's being critical of me and I get to get more learnin')

I've gotten raises every year and a few times got promotions mid-year so got raises then too. I think I am very lucky to be with this organization though - I hear a lot of people in other places get nothing or even cuts or, even worse, laid off.

We are a not-for-profit so even though they pay me well to do what I do, I can get more in the private sector for the same work.

BUT I love and believe in what I'm doing and I know it helps people so the extra private sector money doesn't entice me to go looking. I feel good about coming to work and that's worth a lot more than money.

[kentauros]

4. I've only done those once.

I was contract at the time, yet was still required to fill out the questionnaire. Further, they didn't want to see them once I was done.

I have no idea why they did that, other than some bureaucratic type wanting everyone to stick to the letter of the rules, even when they didn't apply to everyone.

[MiddleFingerMom]

5. When I was in the Army (1970's), they had become so inflated that...

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... if you didn't get a PERFECT score once you reached Sargeant level (E-5)... even if you got
an excellent review of 97%, you didn't stand a chance of getting promoted to a higher rank.
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I worked for a civilian company where a GREAT annual raise for non-management workers
was 15 cents... annual reviews became a moot point and no stress whatsoever.
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[HopeHoops]

6. The worst are when you have to fill them out yourself, but I got even one time...

I know I have a copy somewhere, but can't find it. The "self evaluation" was so stupid, I decided to up it a notch. I rated everything but one (forget which) as "excellent". The only response I remember was, "I sold my mother into slavery to charter a flight to Bosnia to rescue (forget what) and only made it back by scraping the glow in the dark radioactive material off of the watch my late grandfather gave me to create a nuclear reaction in a coke can to power the plane."

Yes, I had to do it over.

[HeiressofBickworth]

7. I always referred to it as the "annual flogging" (and yes, to the boss's face)

The worst part is the self-evaluation. I learned to be quite vague on that. That's the trap that's set by these things. Declare your goals for the next year and when events, other duties or change in job parameters prevent you from reaching those goals, it gives them a whip to beat you with. I on occasion remarked that I found it somewhat unfair that I was evaluated as an employee but I never had the opportunity to evaluate my boss's performance or to determine if she met HER goals for the year. I'm so happy I'm retired and there is no manager hanging over my shoulder evaluating anything I do or don't do.

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

8. I've been a manager and given reviews

and of course received reviews. My big thing? There should be no surprises in the review. If you have areas you need to improve on, you should have already been counseled about those. If you are doing an outstanding job, you should have already been told. When receiving my review I always ask for more responsibility and of course, more money! Doesn't mean I'll get it but at least I'm on the record..........

[Generic Brad]

9. I add an additional element to my reviews

I establish goals for the upcoming year with the employee and list the goals from the previous year, summarizing the progress that was made towards those goals.