Performance Appraisals and Problem Employees

I expected this class to be simple. Just call the employee in and fire them! I thought that performance appraisals would be similarly easy. I am not sure I have had a manager or supervisor put that much effort into any of my appraisals. My last one for my 90 day review was left in my box at work. I didn't speak to my manager or even know it had occurred. In my previous experiences I had at least spoken to my supervisor about how I was doing or if I was getting a raise or not.

I actually learned in this class about the legal issues surrounding employee termination. It is interesting to hear about the employed at will law and the requirements that have to be met if there is cause to discipline an employee.  The process is much more complex and requires careful thought and consideration about all the different steps in the process. I like the idea of the paper trail that is created by the verbal and written warnings. It is always good to be able to follow the paper when you can't remember what has been happening with an employee. It's even better to have that trail when lawyers get involved. Performance appraisals are interesting as well. The most interesting thing to me was that I could see how I could improve my performance at work just by learning about how appraisals are completed.  I previously mentioned my last review at work. I received a two on a one to three scale in all areas but two. Both of those areas I would have rated as strengths in my practice had I been rating myself. It was good to see that someone else had noticed that as well. I work nights and weekends so I do not see my supervisors often. Additionally, after receiving those marks I am motivated to keep them. If I were a supervisor, hopefully I would be able to notice good qualities in my employees and point them out so I could build them into high quality assets.

After this class, I am paying more attention to what happens with problem employees and performance appraisals at my facility. I am feeling more motivated to be involved when I see something happening at work that is not appropriate. Usually I keep to myself to stay out of any kind of drama but I can see how that is harmful when something is truly wrong. I need to speak up and give some employee to employee feedback to help make my facility into a better place to work.