Week of July 19th- Performance reviews...

[movinonup]

When was your last performance review?

December 03.  Every employee is reviewed each December.  This was my third review in 3 years.  Our annual merit raises are based on the outcome of the review.

does your employer view this activity as important to your careers?

The company views it as important, I believe, but my former supervisor seemed to hate doing these--couldn't wait to be done with them.

do you view a review as important to your career?

Yes, it provides me with the only feedback I get from my boss to tell whether I'm doing well or not, and whether my service is of value.  My former supervisor was so poor at this, I never knew what he was thinking.  And my new boss is even more distant. Since he's always very busy or traveling, I have scheduled quarterly informal discussions with him, so I can make sure we're both thinking along the same lines.  So far, he hasn't even responded to the invites.

Do you participate in the "fill it in and I'll sign it" scenario and how?

Yes, I have to complete a comment section and then sign the review each year.  The first two years, I wrote a few paragraphs to defend myself, but last year was so astoundingly poor, I couldn't even respond, so simply signed it. He explained he was trying to work within a certain range, so as to provide me with a minimal merit raise.  (Wow, thanks!  You're such a motivator!)

I received a transfer 5 months later, and thought things had to get better.  The jury's still out on that.

Movinonup

[ocblnd]

When was last review:  Reviews are done yearly at our company - during the month of March and then merit raises, promotions or equity raises are effective April 1st, showing on payroll on April 15th.
The yearly review is viewed as an important activity by the company.  My specific boss also views it as a time to appreciate work done in the past year, review strengths and areas for growth, and set forth next years goals.
In the past (I have been with this company for 4 years) the process was a so/so, feel good, just because we have to do it routine.  With the new management since June of 2003 this years review process was much more beneficial and worthwhile.
Following the review of the past year, then the new/increased responsibilities and goals are listed.  My boss had me fill out my proposed goals and then we met and agree upon the final version.
Then he gave me the opportunity to give him feedback on what he could do to help/encourage my abillity to carry out my duties as his executive assistant.
This was the first review that I felt had any meaning/meat and was worth the time and trouble.
And he appreciated and acknowledged all my effort and support.  The above average raise was a welcome treat at the end of the process. Actually since last years review with a 6% raise and 6% equity raise and a grade increase with a 6% increase and a 6% equity increase-to compensate for lost overtime and this years 8% increase I feel very well appreciated and compensated.

As an addition - this year it was proposed and approved by management to have Quarterly Reviews, which are not part of the employee record, done on an informal basis within the department.  It gives employees current feedback and a marker during the year as to how they are doing.

Edited by ocblnd on 24/07/04 11:35 PM.