Performance evaluation methods and applications

Job Evaluation Skit

Damian, the narrator: Let's face it: Job evaluations usually fall somewhere between high drama, comedy, and having your teeth pulled. That's mainly because most bosses and employees approach job evaluations in the wrong way. Attitudes towards the job evaluation, as well as misunderstandings about the purpose of the evaluation, can lead to a great deal of unneeded anguish for both the reviewer and reviewee. Let's watch this interaction between Knowlton, a new employee and Jessica, his boss, to see exaclty what can go wrong at job evaluation time. Here's a hint: Try to discover what Jessica and Knowlton's underlying attitudes about the job evaluation.

Jessica is sitting behind a desk, with Knowlton's work evaluation sitting in front of him. Jessica's attitude is pompous and condescending. Knowlton seems nervous, and is jumpy and twitchy).

Jessica, boss: Well, it looks like it's job evaluation time again, Knowlton (smiling condescendingly).

Knowlton, employee: I guess it is Jessica. It sure doesn't feel like six months have passed by again (nervous laughter).

Jessica: (leaning back in her chair, and crossing her arms) Well, I guess we should get back to the business at hand here today (shuffles through papers for an uncomfortable 20 seconds or so, as Knowlton fidgets in his chair). Here's your copy of the performance review. Let's look at item 1: Scheduling and time keeping. I see you were late five times in the past few months (silence follows).

Knowlton: Uhhh... yes.... well, I had some unexpected family emergencies that came up... and... well... I had to be a bit late on those days... Umm. I made the time up.. working on the weekends

Jessica: Uh-huh (continuing to stare at the papers, as Knowlton begins to wipe sweat from his brow).

Knowlton: (Speaking to the actors). OK, that's enought, guys. Well, how do you think Knowlton and Jessie could have improved the job evaluation experience shown in your little skit?

Actor playing Knowlton: I think Knowlton really doesn't like his job, and was really nervous about being caught for some minor misdeeds at the office, like stealing pens, or surfing the Internet. It reminds me a little of the movie "Office Space," where Peter Gibbons, the main character, who hates his job, can only find enjoyment at work by playing Tetris, or chatting with his buddies.

Damian: Do these scenes look familiar?

Here, show a clip of Peter Gibbons saying, "Every day is worse than the one before it." Also add shots of Peter secretively playing Tetris at work, and chatting with co-workers Mike and Samir).

Actor playing Knowlton: I really think Knowlton feels the same way as the character in the movie. His worries could have been eased a lot if Jessica had helped to ease the tenson a bit, and acted a bit more sympathetically.

Actor playing Jessica: Hey, the guy's a serious slacker - I don't blame her. No, just kidding, although I don't think Knowlton's obvious nervousness helped a lot. Bosses are only human beings - no seriously, they are. If Knowlton had walked in with a more positive attitude towards the evaluation I think it would have helped a lot.

Actor playing Knowlton: Hey, the poor guy's got more that a little bit of anxiety. He's got a fairly crappy job, and all the guy wants to is to get paid. I think he has fantasies about beating up the office furniture.

Damian: Something like this? (Shows a clip from Office Space, where three people take a baseball bat to an office photocopier, with the sounds of rap music being played in the background).

Actor playing Knowlton: That pretty much sums his attitude up, I think. He's just not a very happy guy at work.

Actor playing Jessica: Well, there you go. I guess you can hardly blame the boss for being less than human, if her workers have that attitude.