Unfair annual review

[rageagainsttheBIL]

WWYD if you had excelled at work, were told the work you had done was the best ever produced in that field for the company, the work ended up being used for a much wider remit, real game changing stuff which massively raised the profile of your team... And then received a "satisfactory" rating at review?

Plus - line manager admits they are under pressure not to award above that grade, plus he "forgot" those pieces of work were this year, and failed to get any feedback from colleagues since mid year on your performance (mid year review never actually happened). Reasons for only grading at satisfactory are very wishy washy and not pinned to clear, smart objectives.

It's a big household name global company, HR are absolutely shit and generally ignore calls and emails, line manager is nice but weak, line manager's boss is useless.

What are the options/best routes to take, except to voice unhappiness to ineffective line manager (already done)?

[PrincePondicherry]

Is there a section at the end where you are allowed to add your response to the review? Could you add in things there?

If it was going to affect a future promotion I would see if I could escalate it although that in itself may affect it too.

[rageagainsttheBIL]

No written section, or section specifically for employee feedback.

Line manager made noises about moving it up a grade, but it feels like too little too late in a way. So demotivating.

[WeAllHaveWings]

Been there, also very large global company, when line mgr gave me the highest grade (significantly excedeed blah blah) we went through it together and I was very pleased .

A week later he calls me in to say his mgr was an arsehole and he had to change the rating to met expectations, as NOONE was allowed any higher without it being justified to the regional directors. He tried to fight it but couldn't.

Tbh I wasn't too bothered (too long in tooth for that and while I enjoy a challenge and doing an excellent job I don't want promotion or long work hours that normally go with it) and just pleased my immediate mgr, who I respected, recognised my contributed. His boss the big arse who plays the politics and brown noses upwards opinion means nothing to me, though I do believe he knows my work but had to play the review grading/budgets game.

If you are going for promotion I don't think these reviews ratings are particularly important anyway, just make sure your review includes true details of what you've achieved and don't worry too much about the ratings games.

[Millionairerow]

Way of things unfortunately. The bell curve needs to shift for orgs to survive so doing your job exceptionally well is now considered normal ie 3 out of 5 star rating. I got promo last year but told to now expect 2s for the next few years to compensate for others as pot is bare minimum. Sadly the pot means only pay rises for 2s and above with only a 3% rise approx for those being promo or given a 4. Not good when you knock your pan in!

[MummyBex1985]

At our place of work, almost nobody gets anything but "satisfactory" or less - that grade is considered as good performance.

It's a bit de motivating but probably nothing to be concerned about. I would add your comments to the appraisal though.

[HermioneWeasley]

See, this is why I hate appraisals. He could have left you with that wonderful feedback, and you'd be feeling 10feet tall. Instead you get reduced to a box and it feels shit.

Most policies will give you right to appeal, and you can always raise a grievance if not. But it's probably not going to achieve much.

[rageagainsttheBIL]

Thanks for all the opinions - I think a grievance is taking it too far but think reiterating the reasons I believe the grade is inappropriate in writing can't hurt and at least there's then a record and line manager might get his shit together next time.