Late Performance Evaluation = No Raise
I'm featuring a question from a reader today, which I do when I believe the question will be interesting for other readers. Your thoughts for this reader are welcome.
Reader Question:
"Here's a question on how to handle a situation I am in.
"I am 7 months overdue on my annual job performance evaluation. I work in healthcare. I have gone to HR which promised me a month ago that something would be done asap. Well, nothing has come forward from my director. What do I do next? Am I also due additional compensation for waiting so long?
"Money that would have come to me and my family, if on time, could have gone to many good uses: college education, payment of bills, a dinner out, a small vacation, etc."
Answer:
Sounds as if you work in an organization where the performance evaluation process is linked to raises. That's unfortunate because thousands of employees experience exactly what you are experiencing nationally every year.
Your boss does not have to give you a raise at all unless you have a contract that requires one. (If you are a union represented employee, talk with your union rep.) Making the raise retroactive will also be up to your organization. You can ask that it be made retroactive to the original appraisal due date, but whether and when you get raises is not up to the employee.
I'd go to your boss and say that you had hoped to have an increase in wages this year and it appears that can't happen without a performance evaluation. Offer to write or help write the performance evaluation to save her/him the time, energy, and work. You may also go back to HR for an update.
Supervisors avoid performance evaluation for a variety of reasons, including that they are "too busy" but the fundamental issue is that most really dislike doing them in the traditional way.
They are not employee or boss friendly: Performance Appraisals Don't Work.
More About Performance Evaluation
- Performance Management Is Not an Annual Appraisal.
- Quick Start Learning Guide to Performance Management.
- Powerful Performance Management: Email Class.
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Comments
When companies use manual performance appraisal processes this is a common occurence, which is sad to say. I agree that you should go to your manager and push the situation and offer to help if necessary. When companies automate their review process managers and HR departments are less likely to put off reviews and will be well aware of when they are due.