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Merriam-Webster.com defines “evaluate” as 1) to determine or fix the value of, and 2) to determine the significance, worth, or condition of, usually by careful appraisal and study.
It is employee review time at work right now, as the corporation shifts from twice yearly to yearly evaluations. And along with the formal review comes pay increases based on employee performance. A lot rides on the care in which the managers have studied each employee’s “significance or worth” to the company. Are they an asset to the company, one that can be quantified and duly rewarded, or are they just “coming to work”?
This is a new experience for me, having come from a union background where our placement on the salary schedule depended on our education, credentials held, and years on the job. Fortunately, I won’t be affected right now, as my first evaluation won’t happen until my first anniversary date, some six months from now. For now, I shall simply relax and do my job to the best of my ability, as always.
triggershorse 
Fawn, I’m sure you won’t have a thing to worry about when it comes time for your evaluation — you’ll do great! I can just tell from what you’ve said about your job and your caring for your coworkers that you’re a real “team player,” a wonderful worker and an excellent company representative who relates well with the public. There — I’ve “written” your eval for you! 🙂
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That made me feel warm and fuzzy all over! Thanks, Deb! – Fawn
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You’re most welcome, Fawn! 🙂
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You’ll do fine, I’m sure. I can read you all the way from here. 🙂 But, yes, evals are extremely important in certain fields. You’re going to rock it.
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Thank you, Silvia. Evidently I don’t have to have one until my anniversary date; they are just trying to get them done for all the servers now (and are a bit behind). – Fawn
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Ah, evaluations. As a former ‘boss’ who had to write and give evaluations – I dreaded preparing them. Imagine writing employee reviews at a publishing company for tender designers…
The process, of course, was always much easier when individuals met ‘expectations’ (a horrid word) – exceeded (more horrible) – even better.
I don’t miss those days.
But I know you Fawn – and I don’t even have to think on it – you will get an excellent review – and hopefully that excellent review is accompanied by a $ incentive or at least some free meals 🙂
AnnMarie 🙂
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I can imagine it would be really difficult to evaluate “creatives” — everything would be very subjective. I believe ours are accompanied by a per-hour raise, ranging from none if you really stink to fifteen cents if you excel. Very different from the education business. Thank you for the sweet words. – Fawn
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I think evals are a waste of time unless the employee isn’t doing his/her job, then just let them go. And productivity. Everything is assembly line anymore. 🙂
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In order to do an evaluation well, a supervisor must have the fortitude to deliver bad news as well as good, and to be brave enough to let go of a failing employee for the good of the organization. But I also think evaluations are useful conversation starters between a supervisor and an employee who is doing her/his job well, too — even if the conversation is very brief (these are your strengths, these areas need encouragement). Thank you for stopping by, Teresa. – Fawn
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