Apps
Contact
Seminars
RSS FeedDecember 20th, 2007
101 reasons not to do self appraisals
Filling out my first appraisal form in software industry, way back in 2000, I read the following dreadful choices for the first time:
Self Appraisal
How would you rate yourself in terms of Java programming:
(i) Did not meet my expectations
(ii) Met my expectations
(iii) Exceeded my expectations
This 3 option question was considered as a remarkable simplification over the previous “rate yourself on a scale of one to ten” approach. However, the process confused me so much. Starting with the fact that I have to rate myself. Why? Is it because my manager did not have the knowhow on how to start the appraisal. So, take the safe approach, and let the employees do their own appraisal. Then, you can look at their answers, and grade them one grade down. That is how it works, right?
One wonders who came up with this entire approach, until one thinks of the manager. Life became so much easier for him after the concept of self appraisal.
How could I have exceeded my own expectations? How can I exceed your expectations – doesn’t that mean you considered me dumb, but now you stand corrected? Then, next appraisal period, you will expect greater things, and then one will not be able to exceed expectations.
Consider this Dilbert:
[Sorry, the dilbert is gone, images are only available for 30 days. If I find an archived image, I will post it here.]
Next time your HR hands you those self appraisal forms – just refuse to fill them out. Let them do their work of evaluating you. They will probably try to scare you with the fact that it is “company policy”. Or the fact that you may not get a bonus (if you are naive enough to believe in bonuses in the first place). Ask them if they also need help in laundering and baby sitting.
Perhaps your HR will try to play the emotional appeal by telling you the huge investments the company has made in buying and configuring SAP! Or by how if everyone just broke the corporate rules, *anything* would be about legal. Tell them you will see what you can do. Then forward them 101 copies of the above dilbert.