criticism stings

[KGT1200]

Almost a year ago, I wrote an annual review of an employee, where I outlined her level of job performance, made some specific comments about improvement, safe practices to avoid injury, and recommended her for a normal cost of living raise by stating she "meets the basic standards for the job". Two weeks after that happened, she "hurt" herself on the job, went on WC and now 10 months later her workability report she has submitted deems it ok for her to return to work. I have hired her positon to someone else by directive from my supervisor, and my 09 payrole budget is already shot becasue of it. I knew this was going to happen, but the boss knows right; right?

She hurt herself doing something that I specifically mentioned in the review (I wont go into details) as an area she needed improvement "in order to avoid accidents and injury"

THE RUB, however is the HR director and my supervisor (who BTW signed off on the review) have the balls to now blame me, because I "contradicted myself" in my review by mentioning the areas that needed improvement, but also stated in the review that "she met the basic criteria of the job performance"!

At the time when they signed off on it, it was no problem, in fact out of the 19 reviews I painstakingly put time into making sure they had a purpose other than lip service, I got rave reviews at how accurate and detailed they were! "Good Job Dale!"

Now this "pass the buck" "Blame Dale"

It sucks, I'm pissed when I read the email tonight, and it aint getting any better!

Thanks guys, for letting me rant, cause criticism stings, and I feel a bit stung here tonight!

[SIBUD]

Finding that your superiors won't back just plain sucks. There is no excuse for their behavior. In addition, it is not in their best interest as the next time you won't be so willing to do the right thing knowing you will get blamed in the end.

You have my empathy and sympathy.

[RJM2096]

Reviews that are tied to raises or to protect a legal stance are stupid. They should be constructive for the employee, period. For your supervisors to feel different is typical of buck passers and beaucrats.

Sounds like you did a good job and that is that. Sorry for the ingrates.

[Oldhway]

Almost a year ago, I wrote an annual review of an employee, where I outlined her level of job performance, made some specific comments about improvement, safe practices to avoid injury, and recommended her for a normal cost of living raise by stating she "meets the basic standards for the job". Two weeks after that happened, she "hurt" herself on the job, went on WC and now 10 months later her workability report she has submitted deems it ok for her to return to work. I have hired her positon to someone else by directive from my supervisor, and my 09 payrole budget is already shot becasue of it. I knew this was going to happen, but the boss knows right; right?

She hurt herself doing something that I specifically mentioned in the review (I wont go into details) as an area she needed improvement "in order to avoid accidents and injury"

THE RUB, however is the HR director and my supervisor (who BTW signed off on the review) have the balls to now blame me, because I "contradicted myself" in my review by mentioning the areas that needed improvement, but also stated in the review that "she met the basic criteria of the job performance"!

At the time when they signed off on it, it was no problem, in fact out of the 19 reviews I painstakingly put time into making sure they had a purpose other than lip service, I got rave reviews at how accurate and detailed they were! "Good Job Dale!"

Now this "pass the buck" "Blame Dale"

It sucks, I'm pissed when I read the email tonight, and it aint getting any better!

Thanks guys, for letting me rant, cause criticism stings, and I feel a bit stung here tonight!

I agree Dale, it sucks. But at least you go to bed tonight knowing you did the right thing. Hopefully that takes the edge off a little.

[bubbagazoo]

Had bosses like that myself. Got tired of it after awhile and found a new job with better pay and less stress. Wife is much happier since because I don't come home totally stressed out.

[35634]

You KNEW this person was a THREAT to herself and you GAVE HER A RAISE?!!!
May your FD fail, splines slip, oil coagulate and instruments malfunction!
Obviously you should relinquish the little authority you currently abuse!

(just kidding. you were getting way too much sympathy) :jester

[Troutluck]

I would think this would dramatically alter the grading scale for evaluations at your company. If it doesn't, you have a strong case.

[Braddog]

It's stuff like this that makes me to never want to be a person in charge of others ever again.

It's the management "trickle down" theory, doncha know? It always stops with the lowest common denominator, no matter what the original directive was.

Good Luck, Dale, but really, I think your conscience should be clear. Unfortunately, you'll have to deal with this one way or another.

[FatChance]

Damned if you do, damned if you don't. Had you not mentioned your proactive safety concern before she injured herself, you would be justifiably blamed for that. You did the right thing and should have no doubt about that.