Recruitment authority Walmsley Wilkinson is advising businesses to exercise prudence during staff appraisals, following surveys that show 85% of employees might leave their jobs after receiving what they perceive as an unfair appraisal.
As the new year brings renewed focus and objectives, it’s also a time when many firms are evaluating past performance by completing annual employee appraisals.
This process can be a source of positive reinforcement for many, acknowledging their hard work and achievements. However, for others, it may result in unexpected negative feedback.
Taryn Wilkinson, co-founder of Walmsley Wilkinson Executive and Management Recruitment, states: “Performance reviews are important for an individual’s training and development but to be successful they require the skills of a well prepared Manager who has already provided feedback and coaching, consistently throughout the year ie they are constructive about issues and generous with praise.
“Sadly, too many managers see the appraisal meeting as their opportunity to impart negative feedback that then comes as a surprise to the employee.”
Adobe’s ‘The Performance Reviews Get a Failing Grade‘ study reveals that 22% of employees have cried after a negative appraisal, and 20% have felt compelled to resign following a stressful review.
According to Reflektive, a company specialising in employee management, 85% of workers they surveyed admitted they would think about leaving their employer after an unfair appraisal.
Additionally, the Adobe survey indicates that 58% of office workers find performance reviews to be a source of stress, with 68% of Millennial managers questioning their efficacy.
January often sees a rise in employee resignations, influenced by new year resolutions and the aftermath of negative appraisal experiences. One of the primary reasons for this turnover is ineffective management practices, as highlighted by the saying ‘people leave managers, not jobs.’
Taryn further commented: “These survey results demonstrate that appraisals can sometimes do more harm than good. Businesses need to ensure they have a robust, time effective process that their employees are engaged with, and their appraising managers are well trained at conducting. If an appraisal system is in place, it shouldn’t be an onerous chore for managers or employees.
“Thankfully we have the opportunity to work with many organisations that demonstrate best practice in employee engagement and development. Their managers know how to conduct effective appraisals. However, it’s disheartening when we hear first-hand tales of woe from other individuals.
“What should be a positive 360 degree feedback meeting with manager and employee in which achievements and improvements are discussed with action plans and coaching programmes agreed, can instead be a train crash of a situation which results in businesses losing talent. Annual appraisals should not be the catalyst for employee resignations”.
With a focus on executive and management recruitment, Walmsley Wilkinson, led by Linda Walmsley and Taryn Wilkinson, offers expert solutions to a range of organisations, including large corporations, family-run businesses, and the third sector. Their services extend across the UK and internationally, aimed at identifying and securing outstanding leadership talent.
