Review at work....rant long

[nowellsl]

Originally posted by Lewski709
We get three sick days. I have been told continuosly, even today in my review, it's not an issue. They know I work hard and as long as it isn't being abused, it's not a problem....yet its noted . I have talked to my supervisor and his about it before and they agree family is#1, not to worry about it....yet it's still there. This isn't the first review it's been "noted". I do take more time than allowed including vacations. I know that and admit it. I don't have a choice when my kids are sick.

I don't understand - if you take more time than allowed and admit it - why would the noted comment bother you? At least they didn't give you an unsatisfactory rating in that area (and it sounds like they could have). Just curious!

 

[Lewski709]

Originally posted by raidermatt
Its a HUGE mistake to point to the comments of others as being justification for a problem with you (not that there really is a problem).

It pits employees against each other, which harms teamwork.

If your manager has a problem with it, he should be saying HE has a problem with it, and HE thinks its harmful to the team work environment, etc, etc, etc.

That aside, it does sound like he's being a bit two-faced. But since the review is positive overall, I wouldn't sweat it.

Oh, I really think he (Bob) has an issue and is blaming it on others so he (Bob) doesn't look like the bad guy to me, but his direct supervisor (chuck, my second up) completely understands. I had Chuck as a supervisor before and it was never an issue in reviews.

 

[deadheadbelle]

Hey Lewski709, how about you get a new job in......hmmm......how about Florida!

 

[Lewski709]

Originally posted by nowellsl
I don't understand - if you take more time than allowed and admit it - why would the noted comment bother you? At least they didn't give you an unsatisfactory rating in that area (and it sounds like they could have). Just curious!

If it's OK than why note it. He knows it, I know it. They "understand". Why put iot on the review.

Say what you mean and mean what you say. Don't knock me for something that's ok.

If it's not ok, fine note it. Tell me it's not ok. That's the issue I have with it.

 

[Sandy V.]

Lewski709, I can relate. As my friend Bob says, "Parenting isn't for sissies."

11 years ago, after having worked for my company for 2 1/2 years as an exemplary employee, my kids got the chicken pox.

We have no family here in Colorado, and we didn't have anyone else to help us. To complicate things, my husband was in trial the week our son had them; 2 weeks later he left on a business trip to North Carolina the day our daughter broke out with them. I missed 9 days of work within a 3 week period! It would have been 10, but I had to attend a meeting one day, so I actually hired Kelly Assisted Living to take care of my son during that time.

Long story short - I'm sure that many people complained around me, but my boss was very understanding and I still work for the same company. I was fortunate to be able to bring a laptop home and do work that way, and went in late at night to catch up on what I could. I was prepared to take the time off as unpaid but it never came to that. I'm sure that being seen as a valued employee with specialized knowledge helped my situation.

There will always be those who constantly monitor others' activities - just ignore them as best you can and do what in your heart you know to be right - with your employer's blessing, of course.

I hope your day gets better!!!

 

[Lewski709]

Ughhhhhhhhh, chicken pox and family. More issues. One of mine had chicken pox a few weeks ago. I missed one day, not five. My family lives an hour away and Grandma and Papa both work. My DH missed a couple days and we found someone we hate leaving the kids with as a back up, but have to at times (supervision is bad). So, instead of caring for my child, I put him in a place that isn't the best so I could get to work.

I brought the chicken pox up in the review, too.

BTW, I've been at this company for 7yrs. In case anyone wondered.

And as DHB pointed out, I am looking for work in FL to relocate.

 

[Lewski709]

Let me also say that Bob is best friends with another department manager, Steve. Steve's wife, Mary also works here and is the sceretary to the president. I am sure it was the three of them who complained and only to one another. Steve and Mary don't have kids, but are trying. Once Mary has a child, she is staying home.......like Bob's wife does and she is not going to work.

I, at times, go to lunch with Mary but the three ring circus is very tight and they love to talk about everyone.

Mary and Steve only want one child so he/she doesn't put a damper on their lifestyle. This isn't really important just really bugs me, so I threw it in.

 

[nowellsl]

I see your point and I would be worried if I were you. They can always bring it up at some point in the future and say "you were warned of this on your last 2 (or whatever) reviews". Even though they told you it didn't matter, it is still documented on your review. Sounds kind of sneaky to me!

 

[Rajah]

This is something I hate.

If you're salaried, why should it matter how often you're out as long as you get all your work done, on time, and to the satisfaction (or high satisfaction/praise) of your "customer"?

I hate that time in the office seems to matter more than work quality so much of the time.

 

[nowellsl]

The only time I would think it would matter is if someone else has to cover for you or do your work while you are gone and that makes them unable to do their own work. I guess it depends on what type of job you have!

 

[Lewski709]

Regardless of being salary, why does it matter if my work is at a above standard rating? EXACTLY. Whose business is it anyhow? Apparently it's everyone's.

Again, I am here 40hrs plus the majority of the time. ratings are 0- outstanding, v-very good, g-good, I-improvement needed and u-unsatifactory. I got a V on everything with just that one comment.

 

[Lewski709]

Originally posted by nowellsl
The only time I would think it would matter is if someone else has to cover for you or do your work while you are gone and that makes them unable to do their own work. I guess it depends on what type of job you have!

They only have to do something if it's an emergency and can't wait. Otherwise, it's a smooth sailing day. I love my job, I make it very easy for myself by being organized, pro-active and on top of it all. It's not unorganized at all. When I go on vacation, they love covering....there is nothing to it.

 

[Maleficent13]

Originally posted by nowellsl

see your point and I would be worried if I were you. They can always bring it up at some point in the future and say "you were warned of this on your last 2 (or whatever) reviews". Even though they told you it didn't matter, it is still documented on your review.

Yes, this is exactly what they are doing. I can understand why you are irritated, and yes, I agree your boss was being a big weinie when he sited others as being upset so he wouldn't have to be the bad guy, but *zips up flame-proof suit*...

I am a supervisor who needs her employees to be at work. All the time. I understand things happen, and OF COURSE family comes first. But there are times when I need to bring an employee in and say, "You know, you might want to evaluate whether this is the right job for you." I have very intelligent employees who do excellent work when they are there, but they aren't doing me or the company any good when they aren't there. It's not that I'm heartless or don't care about your family, but they pay me to make sure I'm staffed and the job is getting done.

I'm not talking about occasional absences (and I am the most lenient supervisor when it comes to allowing them), but we do have an attendance policy and if they go over the number of allowed days, then it is going to be mentioned in their review. I may not be looking to actively discipline them for it (aka, "it's okay"), but it does need to be noted so that if the problem grows or if it does start to interfere with performance it can be addressed.

I don't agree with the way it sounds like your boss is handling it, because it does sound like he's being sort of smarmy about it, but policy is policy.

 

[deadheadbelle]

I see your point, Malificent, but would you tell your employee it is OK, then during their review "note" it? That seems completely unfair. If it is a problem, it needs to be addressed right away. Not 6 months to a year later.

 

[Maleficent13]

I understand what you're saying, deadheadbelle, and I do address it as it occurs. One thing I always tell my employees is that nothing that I say during their annual review should be a surprise. If it is, then we're having a communication issue and we need to handle that right away!

What I was trying to say is that I may not officially discipline (ie, do an offical write-up that has to go to HR, etc) an employee who has gone over the maximum number of days off allowed, but I do talk to them about it. And I do note it on their evals. I have never had a problem with any of them understanding that yes, they did go over the policy limit, and yes, they understood that wasn't good, even though they weren't officially disciplined. It didn't mean they were going to lose their jobs, but it did mean I was going to be watching their attendance very closely, and official discipline could be not so very far behind.

Which is why I think Lewski709 should be careful; obviously, her boss is watching her and it could lead to more formal proceedings in the future.

 

[deadheadbelle]

I gotcha. I guess the problem with Lewski's boss is that he said it was "OK". Which I would assume meant it was just that, OK. If he was going to bring it up at a later date, then he should have told her she could have the days off, but it is not "OK".

 

[Lewski709]

Nothing will happen. Believe me. I have been concerned about my "family" absences before and talked to Chuck, who advised me they will not lose me if they can help it. I have had to "let people go" before, it was always performance related. If missing time was the only reason, they would still be here unless it was obviously abused.

I am not saying I am not replaceable. I am saying though that the company would suffer overall. I am an excellent employee, other than the "family" absences. My work NEVER suffers.

In the first year and second year of a childs life, they are more prone to illnesses. Before my second was born and after my first born turned 2, absences were rare.

Either they are willing to work with me or they aren't. Don't make it a double standard. They know I am valuable, quality, professional, productive and worth it and that's why it's "ok", but still noted. It still bothers me.

Again, I think it's just Bob.

 

[sharbear]

It's funny how everyone thinks that other people's business is their's to comment on.

When my kids were little I was a SAHM. My DH works a very demanding job and works long hours. At no point in the time we have known each other has he worked less than 40 hours a week. As I tell him, his career is flourishing because I make sacrifices to be with our children.

I remember an admistrative assistant saying something to me because my DH came into the office a 1/2 hour later than some of the other employee's. This employee was off everyday at 4p.m. and my DH came home at least 2 hours later. I told her not to worry my DH got his 40 hours in a week. The way he structured his day was no business of her's.

If you work in a big company and are still bothered about this comment, I would go to HR and they can amend your performance review.

 

[nowellsl]

He said it was OK because he doesn't want to be the bad guy. Later on believe me the only thing he'll remember is that it's noted on the review. He conveniently won't remember what he said, the only thing that will matter is what is documented in writing!

 

[MosMom]

3 sick days a year seems pretty slim? My husband probably has over 2 weeks worth built up right now. He had built it up that high before our son was born and took 3 weeks off to be home (got 1 week paternity time and took the other 2 weeks as sick time). I just can't believe you are only allowed 3 sick days per year!!