Employee Survey-WWYD? (rant ahead)

[DisneyFan32WI]

I was given an e-mail at work requesting that I fill out a confidential survey about my supervisor. The survey was from an independent agency who would then compile all the info and give it to the supervisor. Apparently we are ALL going to get surveyed on in the near future from our co-workers, direct reports, superiors, etc.

Here is why I think this survey is wrong on so many levels....
1. the survey pinpointed one particular person that I was asked to provide specific feedback on.
2. It was very behavioral based...with room to leave "general comments about the person."
3. I am the subordinate and I do not feel it is professional to basically go behind a superior's back and report about them.
4. This type of surveying can lead to a negative work environment and create morale issues within the dept. (even though in this case I have nothing negative to say)

Now, here is the kicker. I simply ignored the request to fill out the survey. Today I was given a call and told I was the only one who didn't complete the survey. Ummm....if it is a confidential survey, how did someone at my organization know I didn't complete it? Anyway, I told this individual that I "intentionally chose not to complete this survey." He basically didn't ask any questions and I didn't feel I needed to give any reasons. End of call. THEN, a few minutes later I got another call from him telling me that it was not an option for me and that I was being told to complete it.

I told this person that I didn't feel it was professional or positive but that I would complete it because I am being told it is a direct order. I even said that you could've given me the POPE's name and I would still have a problem with it. It simply isn't anything against the person I am supposed to be evaluating. I hung up w/him feeling like he thought I was so odd and over-reacting to a simple survey.

How would you feel about people given anonymous surveys about YOU or having to take them about other people? It just doesn't feel right. TIA!!!

 

[MerMom60_94]

I was given an e-mail at work requesting that I fill out a confidential survey about my supervisor. The survey was from an independent agency who would then compile all the info and give it to the supervisor. Apparently we are ALL going to get surveyed on in the near future from our co-workers, direct reports, superiors, etc.

Here is why I think this survey is wrong on so many levels....
1. the survey pinpointed one particular person that I was asked to provide specific feedback on.
2. It was very behavioral based...with room to leave "general comments about the person."
3. I am the subordinate and I do not feel it is professional to basically go behind a superior's back and report about them.
4. This type of surveying can lead to a negative work environment and create morale issues within the dept. (even though in this case I have nothing negative to say)

Now, here is the kicker. I simply ignored the request to fill out the survey. Today I was given a call and told I was the only one who didn't complete the survey. Ummm....if it is a confidential survey, how did someone at my organization know I didn't complete it? Anyway, I told this individual that I "intentionally chose not to complete this survey." He basically didn't ask any questions and I didn't feel I needed to give any reasons. End of call. THEN, a few minutes later I got another call from him telling me that it was not an option for me and that I was being told to complete it.

I told this person that I didn't feel it was professional or positive but that I would complete it because I am being told it is a direct order. I even said that you could've given me the POPE's name and I would still have a problem with it. It simply isn't anything against the person I am supposed to be evaluating. I hung up w/him feeling like he thought I was so odd and over-reacting to a simple survey.

How would you feel about people given anonymous surveys about YOU or having to take them about other people? It just doesn't feel right. TIA!!!

I remember there was a class at my company at one point where the prework was to have people above and below management, as well as their peers, complete a survey so the results could be compiled and the manager would know where they needed to focus on developing. It was called a 360 degree survey. Perhaps that is what this is?

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

YES-this is exactly what it is called. What are your thoughts on this?

 

[merrily]

My advice, tread carefully. We had a "confidential" survey at work one time. It was NOT confidential and specific comments were shared with people. It made for a terribly uncomfortable and hostile work environment. The next time a survey like that was sent out, no one made anything but neutral comments. I'm sure it wasn't very helpful; and they've never asked us to do it again.

 

[Luvchefmic]

I understand how you feel, however, I have had to take these evaluation surveys at most jobs, and training courses over the years. Feels weird? Yes but is what it is...agree with the advice on keeping all things neutral

 

[eeyore65]

I have had this done many times. Usually I would go to my subordinates, peers and managers and ask them to please be honest and candid. How else can you get better?

If it is going to a third party, I think this is fine and both positive and negative feedback are used in a very constructive way.

 

[Liberty Belle]

I'm a para educator and we have to fill out one of those about the principal each year. I never fill it out completely honestly, though, because based on some of the questions, our identies wouldn't be too too difficult to figure out. I know they say it's scored by an outside agency, but if you fill out the "comments" section, writing styles, etc could be clues as to who it is. I just don't feel comfortable with it.

 

[MerMom60_94]

YES-this is exactly what it is called. What are your thoughts on this?

Actually, I was a manager once and had this filled out about me. The results were compiled outside the company and, as I recall, (this was a long time ago) we were provided with a book that had various sections ( i.e. Administrative, Motivation, Communication, Interpersonal, Leadership, etc) that represented various types of skill sets. The results of the survey were used to help the participating manager determine where they needed to focus in on to improve their performance. I would be honest in filling the survey out. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses and this will help your manager know what his/hers are so they can improve. In responding, provide positive feedback, as well as constructive feedback. There are nice ways to say where the manager is falling short. For instance, notice the difference between these two statements:

Nancy is too busy chatting it up with the other managers all day to notice what anyone around her is doing.

or (more constructively)

I feel Nancy is oftentimes distracted during the workday and needs to allow more time to focus on her staff.

Both statements say the same thing. One is more of a personal attack and the other is more of an observation without being judgemental about why Nancy is distracted. I would be honest, but just think through how you can phrase what you have to say in a positive manner and feel free to state both the good and the not so good.

 

[Judy from Boise]

360 reviews have been a standard in the work place for almost a decade. I view them very positively, and it has been part of my personal review for at least the last 6 years. The ability to give candid yet constructive feedback is a necessary skill in today's workplace.

 

[sparklynails23]

Those are a common management tool. Be general and be positive. You should not have made a big deal about completing it. That will reflect negatively upon you at work, because this is somebody in HR's baby, and your reluctance to participate has insulted their baby.

 

[Liberty Belle]

360 reviews have been a standard in the work place for almost a decade. I view them very positively, and it has been part of my personal review for at least the last 6 years. The ability to give candid yet constructive feedback is a necessary skill in today's workplace.

True, but you're not able to be candid, even constructively, if your job is in jeopardy when you do so.

 

[Pumbaa_]

constructive feedback is great. I appreciate it when I receive it and hope it is well received when i get it

But it is not a bash session, it is constructive

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

Those are a common management tool. Be general and be positive. You should not have made a big deal about completing it. That will reflect negatively upon you at work, because this is somebody in HR's baby, and your reluctance to participate has insulted their baby.

Yeah, this is what I am afraid of. I'm pretty sure the man I talked to earlier was in charge of this little project. I am still completely upset about it....I wish I could just chill out but it makes me so angry that I had a direct order to complete this survey. I'm sure it has gotten back to my supervisor that I didn't want to take it....I can only imagine what he must be thinking! I swear I have nothing negative to say, but its the principle behind this all which is why I wanted to be silent.

One more update:::::: I attempted to take the survey. I hit start, then "continue" through all the screens so i could preview the questions first and then go back to it. The last time I hit "continue" it said THANK YOU FOR COMPLETING THE SURVEY. WHAT??? I didn't even DO the survey....I was just PREVIEWING the questions and hitting the "continue" button. Now what the heck do I do? Do I try to call this agency on Monday and tell them I really didn't answer anything, yet it logged me as completed? Do I just leave it alone? I feel like I have just let this whole thing snowball. I should've just taken the survey and be done with it all. ughh...

 

[PrincessKsMom]

I would LOVE to be able to do this. I think it's about time companies ask for the underlings opinions of the managers, etc. They all get to review me and give their opinion, I would like to do the same. And I would be honest. There are some people that I don't think get the recognition they should and others that are a disaster.

 

[bunkkinsmom]

We had to do this at Starbucks recently. I have had problems with my DM for about 2 years and I have always been honest with her about my issues. Honest and respectful. She has not, however, been the same with me. At any rate I was honest with the survey. I hope that her boss takes to heart what was said, but with all the changes in the company in the last couple of years I really don't think it matters.

Either way, I was fired about a month after that!

(Not laughing that I was fired, laughing at the irony.)

 

[tomthebarncat]

Check out the Harvard Business Review website, they cover this very issue and how to manage/handle the situation. www.hbr.com