Why Was I Left Out of My Team's Appraisal Process? Seeking Insights and Advice

Dear all,

This is regarding an appraisal query! I am working as an Assistant Manager, HR Operations with an IT Firm in the BPO Division. We provide HR services to our clients. We have completed one year of service and received an appreciation certificate for the same.

The firm committed to conducting appraisals after one year for all team members. My boss has processed the same without informing me or having any sort of discussion with me. He mentioned that our appraisal process is completed and it will be effective from 1st October 2009.

As an Assistant Manager HR, I should have been involved in processing appraisals for my team members. The process was done without me; what could be the reasons behind this? Please share your views.

It is totally wrong, in my view, you should be involved in the appraisal process. I think you will be carrying a negative attitude towards your boss after this incident. You should have a word with your boss & should sort out the matters with the boss.

Hi Nithya,

I have read a lot of your posts. I consider you a sensible and sensitive person. Have you received any feedback on the appraisal? How is your professional relationship with your boss?

I am sorry to say, but there might be a bit of male ego involved (assuming your boss is a man). People are still fickle about females hogging the limelight. On a different note, this is the first year, and he/she may have wanted to be directly involved and control the feedback. Yes, you should have been included in the appraisal process as Assistant Manager (HR). I suggest that you don't take it to heart. Maybe he will discuss with you once the analysis process is done. Perhaps you can have a quiet word in private.

One thing to consider is, did you receive any information from your colleagues that the appraisal process is ongoing? The grapevine or discussions during lunch with your colleagues would have given you an inclination. We all discussed our ratings with our colleagues.

My boss is a very professional person. He is very supportive of us in every aspect of our work at the office. As this is my first experience as an Assistant Manager, I never had any prior experience in the appraisal process. Maybe that is the reason my boss never involved me in the same.

Hi Nithya, I have read a lot of your posts. I consider you a sensible and sensitive person. Have you received any feedback on the appraisal? How is your professional relationship with your boss? Sorry to say, there might be a bit of male ego involved (assuming your boss is a man). People are still fickle about females hogging the limelight. On a different note, this is the first year, and he/she may have wanted to be directly involved and control the feedback. Yes, you should have been included in the appraisal process - Asst. Mgr (HR). I suggest that you don't take much to heart. Maybe he will discuss with you once the process of analysis is done. Maybe you can have a quiet word in private. One thing though, did you receive any sort of info from your people that the appraisal process is going on? The grapevine or discussions during lunch with your people would have given you an inclination. We all discussed our ratings with our colleagues.

My boss is a very professional person. He is very supportive of us in every aspect of our work at the office. As this is my first experience as an Assistant Manager, I never had any prior experience in the appraisal process. Maybe that is the reason my boss never involved me in the same.

Might be your boss does not want to involve you; he must have thought you might not be suitable for the appraisal, as you might not have the required knowledge. Your boss must be busy and not have thought of involving you. The appraisal process is confidential, and be it an Assistant Manager or HR Assistant, only those people who are trustworthy and can keep confidential information are involved in the appraisal process. There could be many more reasons, but in general, how is your boss.

Hi Nithya,

Your reasoning may be right. There is no harm in talking to him when he is in a relaxed frame of mind. He might provide insights that could be helpful to you. Have you received your feedback/appraisal? This will be an indicator of things as well.

Maybe you are rushing through, feeling tense, or pushing things around. Discussing with your boss will certainly help. However, your posts and replies do indicate you as a meticulous and sensible person. But you will certainly get the best insights from people not only above you but also below you.

Things will fall into place, so there's no need to worry.

Ya Nithya, you are right. You only had one year of experience, which is why your boss did not include you in the appraisal, and your performance was also considered in this appraisal. So maybe your boss's decision is right. Okay, let's wait for others' opinions.

Dear Nithya,

He might have had a specific reason behind that - for instance, he must have already had a plan. Let the team first implement what has been prepared - go ahead in suggesting if any change is required. There is no point in thinking over why it was done without your participation, or whether you should ask why it was not done so. That will make you look vulnerable. Instead, just go with the flow. If any changes have to be made in the future, just highlight that. I am sure he's open to such a conversation. The choice is yours to take this seriously or just ignore and be less emotional. I'd suggest you choose the latter.

Dear Friend,

It might have happened because your boss felt that you are new to the industry and may be in the process of learning. So he could have decided to conduct the appraisal without anyone's assistance independently. There is no room for domination or oppression by your boss here. I think he considered you a 'green girl' (inexperienced), which is why he consulted HR. Ask for his guidance to understand what further steps can be taken.

Best Regards,
M. Mohammed Musthafa

Please go back to your management books - how many types of appraisals are there! You will get the answer there.

I appreciate that you are unnecessarily worrying too much about it. Give life a little more space. Be patient and allow things to take shape with the passage of time. If you consider your boss the way you stated, then this question by you is premature. He must have a good reason to do what he did. As far as you are concerned, be a loyal and diligent worker and see if you are suitably incorporated at the next appraisal. Avoid taking things to heart so early in your career. God bless. Enjoy yourself.

Well, usually, this happens when the boss has bias within himself/herself and is afraid of facing the team. The other scenario when this happens is when the budget awarded by the management is very low, and your boss tries to avoid facing his team. However, one aspect (that you might not like) is that the boss does not think you are capable of doing appraisals.

Throughout the whole year, your boss/superior/sir has the right to push you left, right, and center - asking you to work late, setting demanding targets weekly, monthly, or quarterly. However, the appraisal is your opportunity to showcase what you have accomplished and justify why you deserve a Tier-1 rating, not just based on their preferences. Is it fair if you are not allowed to defend the rating given to you? Don't you think it's unjust to wait the entire year (even if it's just 6 months after confirmation) to receive recognition for the hard work, pressure, and sacrifices you have made to get the job done?

Appraisal is just one day out of your entire year to communicate with your boss. Doing it without discussion and assigning ratings based solely on your boss's preferences? One can only wonder what kind of boss behaves in such a manner.

Dear Nitya,

Whether this is your first year or more, it doesn't matter; your boss should include you in the process of performance appraisal. It is very important to have his feedback about your performance so that you would know whether you are heading in the right direction or not and what the areas of improvement are, etc.

As you have indicated that your boss is a very professional person, you should set up a meeting with him and discuss the same.

Thanks,
Ruchi

Hi Nithya,

I hope things are sorted out and you must have had a discussion with your boss. If it's done and dusted, please share your feedback - mainly your boss's assessment and why he went ahead with the appraisal without taking you into consideration. I am asking this as we can get an insight into how top management works (apologize if you feel it's too personal).

In one of our earlier organizations, the senior HR guy stepped in to handle the appraisal - there were quite a few belligerent guys, and he felt his subordinate (someone similar to your position) would not be in a position to handle these guys. Also, he had his own observations to make. For someone who is in the first year as an Asst HR manager, taking on boisterous people would not be welcome. Sometimes a tough and no-nonsense guy is needed to tackle such situations.

I do recall in one of our appraisals, we as a team of 16 guys felt aggrieved, and we sought a meeting with our immediate superior and his boss. A lot of things came up which changed the whole scenario - our entire lot was overlooked for promotion (we had shifted our base), and the freshers in the location were considered. Management gave us this explanation - since we have re-located to a new place and as we are working out from their place, it would be ideal if we promoted a couple of their guys. The freshers would feel there was a career for them, and the company recognized their performance. Though we did not accept it in toto, we understood their viewpoint and grudgingly gave in.

We did seek a pound of flesh for the next round of promotion for our guys - with a test on the current work for eligible candidates from both sides. The ones who came up knowledge-wise as well as leadership skill-wise were given the promotion. This became fair because the domain was new to both sides, rather than past experience where we were runaway winners.

Dear Nitya,

As an Assistant Manager, you have to be involved in the Appraisal Process because you will also be part of the Department. I think your boss is ignoring you or doesn't want to involve you in that part. Anyway, how is your boss at the workplace with you? Whether this is your first year or more, it doesn't matter; your boss should include you in the process of performance appraisal. Please confirm the performance about yourself. It is very important to have his feedback about your performance. Be professional with him.

My view is to be professional with him.

Thanks,
Mohammed
HR Assistant Manager

Dear all,

This is regarding an appraisal query! I am working as an Assistant Manager in HR Operations with an IT Firm in the BPO Division. We provide HR services to our clients. We have completed one year of service and received an appreciation certificate for the same.

The firm committed to conducting appraisals after one year for all team members. My boss has processed the appraisals without informing me or having any sort of discussion with me. He mentioned that our appraisal process is completed and will be effective from 1st October 2009.

As an Assistant Manager in HR, I should have been involved in the process of appraising my team members. The process was completed without my involvement. What could be the reasons behind this? Please share your views.

Thank you.

Hi Nithya,

I am Krishan Singh Bains from Mosebaer India Ltd - HR. As you say your boss is a professional, then I am sure he will definitely discuss with you regarding your strengths and areas for improvement in your work. You will only get to know when you receive your appraisal letter.

He did not ask you anything because he is confident about your attitude towards work.

Hari Krishan Bains

I have assumed that it is not her appraisal that we are all talking about - it's about the "appraisal system."

Hi Nithya. Your boss's appraisal is vitiated in that he hasn't involved you in the process. It is a process short-circuit, and you have every reason to question it if you feel that any of your subordinates has not been given a fair deal. No doubts about this at all since you have been with the organization for over a year. Since you say your boss is supportive, engage him in a pow-wow and point out to him that a re-appraisal with your inputs would be in order. If you can persuade him with your thoughts on this, you will have your day!

All the best,
Ganesan

Dear all,

First of all, my hearty thanks to each one of you who have provided your inputs and suggestions.

The appraisal of my team and myself is the topic here!!

Actually, my boss has discussed with me everyone's performance levels. He provided appreciation certificates for all the good performers. I received a certificate for "Outstanding Team Management Skills." Then he asked me to rate the appraisal hike for all my team members, and I did the same. After that, my boss called me and mentioned that I had given too high ratings. He asked me to research the market appraisal rates for one year completion. I completed the research and sent him updated ratings for all my team members. He mentioned that he would provide ratings for me. After that, he said my second rating report looked fine, and he never called for a meeting to discuss further.

After 10 days, he informed me that the appraisal process is complete and effective from October 9.

I do not want to approach my boss regarding this. As Ash Mathew suggested, I will wait and see and then communicate if any changes need to be made. Therefore, I have decided to wait until we all receive the letters.

Hi Nithya,

Thanks for the update. I guess the issue was that as a greenhorn, you didn't want to hurt any of your subordinates and gave all of them good grades. In a management system, we all know that it's not possible - there will be outstanding performers and weak ones.

Maybe that's why your boss would have wanted to do it without you, because you can't go back and now downgrade anyone - there will be a judgment call and too many unanswered questions (the most important is what prompted you to change the grades, if you choose to do so and certainly bad blood). What he has done now is covered you up so if any adverse remark comes up, the team will know that it's the boss's call, and no one dare raise a voice against the boss.

When I queried about the feedback, it was more to do with the system used. New ones come with the latest trends - I certainly wasn't interested in individual reports. We all have our differences of opinion with our teams. On a scale of 5, when I gave 5 out of 5, my immediate boss would give me 4, and his boss would retain it or downgrade it to 3 based on perception, so everyone has an ax to grind.

We generally waited for the third quarter to give our reports/analysis of our immediate bosses and their bosses. The strange thing was we had a good rapport with our immediate bosses with a cool one with his boss. Any report we gave to our immediate boss would reflect on the branch head, so we had to be doubly careful to not disturb the cart.

Sometimes the overriding feeling was to give a damning report of the head, and the score from the external agency would be too bad, and the President himself flew in a couple to understand the real issues, which enabled us to rationalize and be objective in our appraisal.

Hi all,

Please correct me if I'm wrong. I am under the impression that a person's boss needs to sit with the employee to discuss the reasons for the final rating before it is implemented. In your case, Nithya, I believe that even though you only have one year of experience, your boss should have at least discussed your rating with you. My suggestion is that you speak to him to find out the reason for you being excluded from the process.

Silindileb

Nithya,

It is generally observed that it is preferable to involve only a few persons in the appraisal process. Moreover, involve persons who have already been there and working on the same for a few years. The reason could be that they know all the employees, their reporting structures, past appraisals, and have data related to that. In cases when management asks for different reports in various formats with past data and records, they can produce the same easily without much effort and time compared to a new employee.

So, keeping these points in mind, he must have found himself comfortable with old employees and only to avoid having too many persons involved, he has not asked you to be in the team. So don't worry and wait for your share of the reward...

If it is mandatory as per your company rules to involve, then he should have. However, to my mind, you seem to be too sensitive on a very minor issue right at the very early stage of your career. You better have a free and frank discussion with your boss directly, with a positive attitude. Do not let this issue affect your day-to-day working - which you should discharge with full diligence and sincerity. Best of luck and good wishes for the future.

There are certain appraisal systems where consultation or concurrence of the appraisee is not required. In such a system, there is no scope for self-appraisal (which needs the signature of the appraisee), no performance review discussion (which again needs the signature of the appraisee), etc.

In the absence of such an appraisal system, the boss is perfectly right in not consulting the reportee.