July 22, 2009
Performance Reviews
Dow Jones is rolling out a new Performance Review Procedure — promising to "emphasize collaboration and mentoring."
As outlined in the material the company has circulated, it's a laudable goal. It also sounds like a lot more work for managers. But that's to be expected if you really want to promote, as the company promises, "open, honest dialogue about performance, potential, career development and business objectives" and end what, in too many cases, was a system that was used to punish, intimidate or frighten employees.
It's important to understand that two things will not change.
A Performance Review is not part of the disciplinary process and any employee self appraisal, goal setting or peer evaluation ("360-degree feedback") is entirely voluntary.