Peer Performance Ratings LO10511

Roxanne S. Abbas (75263.3305@compuserve.com)
15 Oct 96 18:28:42 EDT

Replying to LO10431 --

Archie Kregear asked for comments about the Peer Performance Review System in
his new company:

>1. They objected to having to sign them. They think that if they cannot be
>anonymous then people will not be as honest as they might be in reviewing
>others.

This is an important issue in environments with a low trust level or with
employees who don't trust others. If people believe they will be punished
for telling the truth as they know it, they will generally choose to
protect themselves from this pain. Several of my clients that have very
healthy cultures and are working to promote trust and open, honest
communications have chosen to require signatures on all feedback even
though they knowingly risk losing some information. They also make a
significant effort to train all employees on how to effectively
communicate difficult messages.

>2. Who does the administrative work involved? In other companies, does
>HR do it. This ensures that it is done by a third party that does not
>have any ax to grind.

There will probably be more consistency if HR does it, but more efficiency
if supervisors or the employees themselves do it.

>3. How can a new person evaluate someone who has been at the company for
>years.

They can give their initial impressions which is valuable information to
receive

>4. What training should be given to the team members. What if someone is
>not very tactful in how they answer?

Most people will need training in how to give and receive feedback. There
are some good new videos available on the topic. (Sorry, no titles
readily available.)

>5. Who gets to see the peer reviews. Where do they end up?

What is the purpose of your system. If, in part, you plan to use the
reviews as legal documentation to justify personnel actions, they the
reviews should be kept in HR.

-- 

"Roxanne S. Abbas" <75263.3305@compuserve.com>

Learning-org -- An Internet Dialog on Learning Organizations For info: <rkarash@karash.com> -or- <http://world.std.com/~lo/>