Terrible Work Review. Boss Never Speaks With Me!

Shocked by bad work review

Hi Ronnie Ann. I just got a terrible work review. Worst one ever!!!!!! Not on this or any job have I ever received one like this before. There wasn’t one good thing said about me. Even on the only 2 things I had “meet standards” on I was insulted in the paragraph below it.

I’m not supposed to know that it was not my direct supervisor’s opinion. Turns out HER supervisor told her what to put in it. And my supervisor’s boss also told my supervisor that she’ll take it easy on her evaluation … since she’s pregnant. Nice huh?

I have been there for 6 yrs and 4 in my current position and I have not had any issues til now. My boss’s boss has only been over both of us for about the past year. And that is when I suddenly can’t do anything right.

⇒  How To Handle a Bad Job Evaluation

I manage a software program and she thinks I don’t do it correctly or get the most out of it. I was sent to another place that uses the same program and they do it exactly like I do it. Good news?? NO!! I have to find other places that use it and see how they do things.

I’m assuming I need to look until I find someone that does it differently so she can finally say, that is how you should be doing it. I spoke to the technician from the company that installs the program and comes to fix things if we have issues {which is rare} and he told me there is nothing more I should be doing. I think she is just trying to pick at me and is trying to get rid of me.

The thing that gets me the most of all is that I get this terrible work review and she has not had one conversation with me since she has been there. Not once!!

How can you criticize someone when you have never even spoken to them? It makes me so mad when I know I am doing a good job. But I don’t even know if she knows all I do. Grrrr!!!

Thanks for allowing me to vent!!

~ C

***

My response:

Dear C,

This feels so unfair! I’m sorry you’re going through this. And I agree it does feel like your boss’s boss may be trying to get rid of you, for whatever reason. A work review is supposed to try to help you see how to improve. Not leave you feeling like you’ve been beaten up.

When you’re in a situation like this, your best bet is to document every exchange related to your performance by email. Always politely of course as evidence of your willingness to improve. Let your supervisor know that, as you understand it, these are the things she wants you to work on — and then add how you are going about it.

Document, document, document!

As part of this, you need to get her to agree to concrete steps for each thing she finds wrong. Again, using email, let her know all you’re doing. If you can, provide regular details of the efforts you are making. Plus ask for follow-up meetings to make sure you are on track.

And then document those meetings, too! Also get written (email) confirmation from the system rep that what you are doing is correct and email that to your boss — and cc your boss’s boss.

NOTE:  Always best to approach this method in the spirit of I’m taking your advice to improve and this is how it’s going. Not “look how wrong you are and I’m proving your wrong!” If there is any chance to still make this work for you, it has to be in a spirit of cooperation. Even if the chances are slim, worth a shot.

If you really are doing everything right, then you need a written trail to show your positive efforts. And to show you are making every effort you can to comply with their findings and suggestions. Should it ever come to them trying to fire you, all this documentation may wind up being really helpful. Plus, it will put your boss and her boss on notice that you are not going to go easily.

Terrible work review? Talk to supervisor!

I would also suggest a very direct, honest talk with your supervisor. Don’t wait for her to come to you. Let her know how surprised you are by the terrible work review. And explain all you are doing and that you really want to find a way to make this work. See if you can get her leaning your way a little more.

You never know how long her boss will be there. Maybe if you can make things a little better for yourself, you can even outlast her. But then again, you can’t count on that and it may be a miserable wait for you if you do choose that route.

All that said … since they are both giving you signals (no matter who started it, your direct boss is part of it now), unless you see some turnaround in their attitude right away, it may very well be time for you to start looking — both internally and elsewhere. As hard as I know that may be when you know you’re doing a good job, it’s your way of protecting yourself just in case.

Look for options, just in case…

If this is a large enough company or agency, start scouring the internal postings and also quietly ask around. (Although I understand “quietly” may not be possible where you are.) And of course, check online listings and use networking as best you can. Also, one of your best sources may be the vendor rep, since he is often one of the first to hear of an opening elsewhere.

⇒  Boss Won’t Let Me Transfer To a Different Department

Again, I just want you to know how sorry I am that you’ve been put in this uncomfortable situation. There’s almost nothing worse than doing something the best you can and getting such a I just got the worst work review ever!!!!!! Not on this or any job have I ever received one like this before. And having people who don’t have the ability to assess it telling you that you’re wrong.

Good luck, C! I really hope you can find a way to get things to improve where you are. But if not … good luck finding a job where your efforts are truly appreciated. You deserve that. Please keep us posted.

~ Ronnie Ann

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About the author…

Ronnie Ann, founder of Work To the Wise and Work Coach Cafe, bases her real-world advice on her many years as an organizational consultant where she helped interview and hire people, added to a certificate from NYU in Career Planning & Development, as well as her many adventures as a serial job seeker.