Tuesday, November 25, 2008

A Colossal Post

To tell you a bit more about my unexpected performance evaluation...

Just as a bit of background, the last two years I've received an "outstanding" rating and my boss has never said anything negative about my work. It's always, "you're doing great, keep up the good work", pat on the back type thing. I've been promoted both years and have received a bonus each time. Last Thursday when I went into his office, I was completely blindsided. I received a "commendable" rating and was told that I wasn't going to be promoted (~$10,000 more per year) but that I was still going to receive a bonus. My written evaluation, which goes into my permanent personnel file, was full of negative comments (I take too long to do projects, I'm not engaged in my work, I don't communicate).

So I took the weekend and came up with what I wanted done. My biggest concern was that this is my last performance evaluation at my current job since I'm on the last year of my contract and it's full of negative things. So there's no way I can show improvement and have it documented. Also, my boss said that he's received these comments about my work in the past two years but he just now brought it up. Why wouldn't he bring up these concerns earlier in my job instead of waiting for the last year??

Anyways, I could go on and on about how wrong I thought the evaluation was...not just the way it was handled but also the negative comments that were said. The one that is the most odd to me is the "I don't communicate" comment because just last year the remark on my evaluation was that "I'm excellent at communication."

So I spoke to my boss yesterday (which is huge deal for me b/c I hate confrontation but knew if I didn't stand up for myself no one else would and I didn't have anything to lose) and told him my concerns and he agreed to take the negative comments out of my written evaluation with the understanding that those were things I need to work on. I could've argued with him about that but I'm somewhat satisfied with the more positive written evaluation. I've got a whole laundry list of complaints regarding this organization to air on my final day when I do my exit interview. And I'll be honest, I take everything my boss said in the performance evaluation with a huge grain of salt. Technically, he's my boss but he has no idea what I do day to day and the only time we speak is for my performance evaluation. He has to rely on what others tell him to even come up with the evaluation.

Just a reminder of how much I need to find a different job. I'm still pissed about the way my evaluation went but I'm using that as fuel to find a different job.

As soon as I had taken care of that yesterday afternoon, I got pulled into an argument between my sister and dad. So I've got to call my dad this evening and (stand up for myself again) tell him to leave me out of it since he's the one that pulled me into it and now is mad at me b/c I won't make my sister do something. Lovely. Family and the holidays don't mix well sometimes.

In happier news (yes! please!), I ran 10 miles this weekend! I was scheduled to do 12 but it was a very cold and windy day so I was satisfied with 10. Oh, but something sad did happen...my MP3 player died at mile 8. It's gone...completely worn out. It won't even turn on or anything now. So I've got to complete my last couple of weeks of training without tunes but it's not as hard as I thought it would be. The budget's tight right now since we're moving into a new place (on Thursday!!) so I can't just run out and buy a new one but I should be able to do something around Christmas. I'm thinking the iPhone...my contract on my phone is up and the iPhone would be fantastic to have when I'm running b/c I could have my tunes but also have my phone with me in case something happened. Thoughts??

Well, this is long enough (whew!) so I'll be quiet now.

8 comments:

Sarah said...

That is seriously so wrong! Unless he has ulterior motives there is NO reason a boss/manager would want to 'surprise' you with negative comments in a performance evaluation.

The whole purpose of a manager is to support an employee and help them do better at their work - WHICH should involve letting them know immediately if their performance is sliding. Anything said in a performance evaluation should NEVER be a surprise if you've got a good manager.

Uggh that would drive me crazy!!!

Jaime said...

Sounds to me like the bossman probably doesn't even remember that you were excellent last year and took the word of someone else that maybe was a little unthrilled with you at some point. Shitty situation for you! Very good that you stood up...I have trouble doing that. Day to day, I can be a tough businesswoman with lots to say...but one on one I can easily end up in tears if there's a confrontation. Well done!!

Sara said...

What it sounds like to me is that they do not have the money to give so they gave you a negative review b/c then that would mean you wouldn't get the 10k. This has happened to me in the past.

Argh and family!!

Way to do the 10 miles! I really need to get out in the cold before it gets too cold and I get too wussy!!

Juice said...

Ugh - I hate the triangular family fights. A good resource for that is the Dance of Anger by Harriet Lerner (I think). Great book, well worth reading.

SeaBreeze said...

I hate training without music. I was anti-running for the weeks when my headphones were acting up. Can you get a cheap one to get you through until the Boxing Day Sales? A shuffle is like $50 these days and might fit the bill for now.

Good luck tonight and congrats on standing up for yourself.

Cat said...

Ugh....I HATE evaluations, and I'm with you...I hate confrontation with bosses,...(mostly 'cause I have a hard time NOT crying when I'm frustrated...)

Obviously, your boss knew that he was hard on you, considering he's agreed to take the notes out of your file. SOunds like he was habing a bad day or something, and took it out on you. I know that must be so hard to continue to work when you KNOW you've been working hard and don't deserve those comments.

Great job on the running Marissa...you're amazing!

Giant bear hug!!
Cat

Jen said...

I agree with Sara...if there were obvious contradictions in your evaluation it's possible that it was just a cop out instead of giving you a raise...that is bull my dear...

Keep a list of all the things that you dislike and then one day when you are feeling calm and zen, compose the letter that you will read to them at your exit interview...I find it easier to compose myself when I have separated myself from the situation and calmed down a bit...the same thing goes for your family...tell them calmly that you neither agree nor disagree with either of them and you would rather stay out of it!!

I have heard good and bad things about the iPhone, but I have an iPod touch and I absolutely love it (it's the same as an iPhone just without the calling capabilities) so it should be pretty good!

charengiwooman said...

Various dieting、beauty, healthy is written in this blog.

Japanese langueage バックシャン backshan

It sees instinctively turning around when it dresses, it behaves, and the woman with beautiful appearance to walk is seen.
After there is a word beautiful backing in Japan, the woman with beautiful appearance is said.
Will you think it is too good somehow though it is not used now?