I don't work in the private sector, but I have a professional job as a public school teacher, and I can tell you I've heard a lot of whining. I read the other day that Citi laid off 4,000 workers unexpectedly in a one-day response to record losses. If you still have a job, don't whine. Many are unemployed as a matter of fact. We can keep our heads about us in these distressing times. More importantly, we should keep them out of the sand and aware of what is happening aboard the Titanic that could be our country's economy for the next few years. Competition is at an all time high. Unless we strive to be the best, any of us could be casualties of an imminent recession.
How can we be sure to succeed and prosper? By learning to value the performance review process. The Chinese have a traditional parade dragon that symbolizes their enemy. They believe that to defeat your enemy, you must make him beautiful. The same is true for the performance review. Don't dread it. See it as a beautiful free opportunity to get life and work coaching. Take these times to read books about self-improvement like the classic The Road Less Traveled, or Who Moved My Cheese?.
Every occupation has this process. I've done them for Pizza Hut when I was a manager there and I've been observed and evaluated regularly as a teacher for nine years. Many professionals I have known at one time or another have gone to pieces over the review, seeing it simply as a way for a manager to fire. The reality is that it is there to improve the quality of the workplace, the product, and the employee. If the boss says you fall below the standard, then you should responsibly ask what you can do to rise above average. After that, do what he/she says. Don't let your bravery and fortitude stop with the asking.
If your superior is doing something unethical, or breaking the law, then I would say contact your human services department to document it and get legal assistance. I am not referring to those unbalanced situations (which are truly rare, regardless of what the gossipers say). Instead I am talking about self-awareness. The biggest issue you are being tested on is bravery. If you can find the way to do your action plan and do it with a happy heart, then you will become brave in your boss' eyes.
Article comments
1 - Chris Bancells
If your tone here is any indication, I would hazard a guess that you work at a good school with good, positive administrators. A teacher myself, I have seen both good and bad uses of the evaluation process. I have both benefited and been injured, as well as seen it used to the downfall of more than one colleague.
I agree, there is plenty of whining in the American workplace, but not all of it is unfounded. There are plenty of administrators, both in and out of education, who use the evaluation as a weapon, and not always in an overt way. Subtle threats and shifting standards, which may not necessarily be viewed as unethical by an outside source, can make life difficult on employees. I have seen administrators suddenly pounce on people, exploiting an easily fixable situation to accomplish their own ends. In one particular case, there was no warning given, and rather than work with someone, already esteemed by colleagues, to help them become better, they summarily dismissed them.
I have to say kudos for writing the article and trying to inject a positive attitude into what is all too often a negative situation. However, I think it's important to realize that it is not always the employee creating the negativity.
2 - Damien Riley
Thanks Chris. I've been mulling your commment over in my head for a few days ...
I've been teaching for almost 10 years for 5 different Principals and I can attest that what you say about the abuse of the evaluation process is absolutely real. I have seen it and had it done to me, so understand that i agree with you there.
What I am trying to say to folks (not just teachers) is that focus is very helpful in mental health and stability. Going through a bad eval can really wreack that for people. If you can focus on it as a "what can I improve upon" and not a "they're out to get me" event, then not only will they have a harder time getting something on you but you will also be confident knowing you are there to be the best you can be even if they don;t like you.
Thanks for your clarification though, you are right that the teacher accountability system in public schools is highly flawed. For now, I guess the union and a positive spirit are our best defense.
Best.