How to deal with a bad performance review that I think is unfair [duplicate]

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  • How can I professionally and politely disagree with Management about my performance review?

    9 answers



I had a mediocre performance review and as a result will be left behind others with regard to pay raises. I think the review is unfair and I have a hard time swallowing the fact that I will be paid less than colleagues who are way less experienced than me.



I think it is unfair for two reasons. First is that I feel that some of their reproach is due to their own failures in management. Second is that the other part of their criticism had never been addressed before. I don't think I should be blamed for their own mess or for things that I did that I couldn't know were wrong and didn't have any chance to correct before the review.



I stood up to my point of view (with diplomacy and arguments) but they refused to acknowledge that the review was too harsh, and basically what's done is done.



I'm not sure how to deal with it. I like what I do, but I'm not sure I can enjoy doing it in this work environment.



Should I just suck it up, try to improve myself even if it means I will enjoy my work less, I will have to make extra work that I feel is undue, and still be less valued than others (even if they are content with the change, I'll still have a whole year of pay raise behind)?

Or try to enjoy my work as much as I can, as I do now, even if it means not so happy management and no prospect of raise (firing will not happen over this though)?



In the best of all possible worlds, I'd be able to combine both... I'm not sure I can. Of course the third solution is resignation, but as I said, I like my work, I just don't like doing it for my management anymore...







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marked as duplicate by Elysian Fields♦, jmac, jcmeloni, gnat, CincinnatiProgrammer Nov 8 '13 at 12:01


This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your question, please ask a new question.










  • 2




    Related: I am not satisfied with my review, how should I approach improving it for next year?, How can I professionally and politely disagree with Management about my performance review?
    – jmac
    Nov 8 '13 at 0:01










  • @jmac: Thanks, the second link is very helpful and confirms my feeling that I shouldn't be blamed for not fixing things that I didn't know needed fixing.
    – Chris O.
    Nov 8 '13 at 0:44






  • 4




    @ChrisO. ultimately your performance review is the result of your action (or inaction) you take and your ability to communicate this to your manager. Read this question and the related answers to explain how, even if you did good work, you still have to communicate it to your boss. You will note this comment predicting this situation :)
    – Elysian Fields♦
    Nov 8 '13 at 1:39











  • Have you considered the fact those other colleagues didn't have the same issues you had, and the reason your review was what it was, actually is justified in that regard?
    – Ramhound
    Nov 8 '13 at 12:47
















up vote
1
down vote

favorite
1













This question already has an answer here:



  • How can I professionally and politely disagree with Management about my performance review?

    9 answers



I had a mediocre performance review and as a result will be left behind others with regard to pay raises. I think the review is unfair and I have a hard time swallowing the fact that I will be paid less than colleagues who are way less experienced than me.



I think it is unfair for two reasons. First is that I feel that some of their reproach is due to their own failures in management. Second is that the other part of their criticism had never been addressed before. I don't think I should be blamed for their own mess or for things that I did that I couldn't know were wrong and didn't have any chance to correct before the review.



I stood up to my point of view (with diplomacy and arguments) but they refused to acknowledge that the review was too harsh, and basically what's done is done.



I'm not sure how to deal with it. I like what I do, but I'm not sure I can enjoy doing it in this work environment.



Should I just suck it up, try to improve myself even if it means I will enjoy my work less, I will have to make extra work that I feel is undue, and still be less valued than others (even if they are content with the change, I'll still have a whole year of pay raise behind)?

Or try to enjoy my work as much as I can, as I do now, even if it means not so happy management and no prospect of raise (firing will not happen over this though)?



In the best of all possible worlds, I'd be able to combine both... I'm not sure I can. Of course the third solution is resignation, but as I said, I like my work, I just don't like doing it for my management anymore...







share|improve this question












marked as duplicate by Elysian Fields♦, jmac, jcmeloni, gnat, CincinnatiProgrammer Nov 8 '13 at 12:01


This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your question, please ask a new question.










  • 2




    Related: I am not satisfied with my review, how should I approach improving it for next year?, How can I professionally and politely disagree with Management about my performance review?
    – jmac
    Nov 8 '13 at 0:01










  • @jmac: Thanks, the second link is very helpful and confirms my feeling that I shouldn't be blamed for not fixing things that I didn't know needed fixing.
    – Chris O.
    Nov 8 '13 at 0:44






  • 4




    @ChrisO. ultimately your performance review is the result of your action (or inaction) you take and your ability to communicate this to your manager. Read this question and the related answers to explain how, even if you did good work, you still have to communicate it to your boss. You will note this comment predicting this situation :)
    – Elysian Fields♦
    Nov 8 '13 at 1:39











  • Have you considered the fact those other colleagues didn't have the same issues you had, and the reason your review was what it was, actually is justified in that regard?
    – Ramhound
    Nov 8 '13 at 12:47












up vote
1
down vote

favorite
1









up vote
1
down vote

favorite
1






1






This question already has an answer here:



  • How can I professionally and politely disagree with Management about my performance review?

    9 answers



I had a mediocre performance review and as a result will be left behind others with regard to pay raises. I think the review is unfair and I have a hard time swallowing the fact that I will be paid less than colleagues who are way less experienced than me.



I think it is unfair for two reasons. First is that I feel that some of their reproach is due to their own failures in management. Second is that the other part of their criticism had never been addressed before. I don't think I should be blamed for their own mess or for things that I did that I couldn't know were wrong and didn't have any chance to correct before the review.



I stood up to my point of view (with diplomacy and arguments) but they refused to acknowledge that the review was too harsh, and basically what's done is done.



I'm not sure how to deal with it. I like what I do, but I'm not sure I can enjoy doing it in this work environment.



Should I just suck it up, try to improve myself even if it means I will enjoy my work less, I will have to make extra work that I feel is undue, and still be less valued than others (even if they are content with the change, I'll still have a whole year of pay raise behind)?

Or try to enjoy my work as much as I can, as I do now, even if it means not so happy management and no prospect of raise (firing will not happen over this though)?



In the best of all possible worlds, I'd be able to combine both... I'm not sure I can. Of course the third solution is resignation, but as I said, I like my work, I just don't like doing it for my management anymore...







share|improve this question













This question already has an answer here:



  • How can I professionally and politely disagree with Management about my performance review?

    9 answers



I had a mediocre performance review and as a result will be left behind others with regard to pay raises. I think the review is unfair and I have a hard time swallowing the fact that I will be paid less than colleagues who are way less experienced than me.



I think it is unfair for two reasons. First is that I feel that some of their reproach is due to their own failures in management. Second is that the other part of their criticism had never been addressed before. I don't think I should be blamed for their own mess or for things that I did that I couldn't know were wrong and didn't have any chance to correct before the review.



I stood up to my point of view (with diplomacy and arguments) but they refused to acknowledge that the review was too harsh, and basically what's done is done.



I'm not sure how to deal with it. I like what I do, but I'm not sure I can enjoy doing it in this work environment.



Should I just suck it up, try to improve myself even if it means I will enjoy my work less, I will have to make extra work that I feel is undue, and still be less valued than others (even if they are content with the change, I'll still have a whole year of pay raise behind)?

Or try to enjoy my work as much as I can, as I do now, even if it means not so happy management and no prospect of raise (firing will not happen over this though)?



In the best of all possible worlds, I'd be able to combine both... I'm not sure I can. Of course the third solution is resignation, but as I said, I like my work, I just don't like doing it for my management anymore...





This question already has an answer here:



  • How can I professionally and politely disagree with Management about my performance review?

    9 answers









share|improve this question











share|improve this question




share|improve this question










asked Nov 7 '13 at 23:50









Chris O.

6112




6112




marked as duplicate by Elysian Fields♦, jmac, jcmeloni, gnat, CincinnatiProgrammer Nov 8 '13 at 12:01


This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your question, please ask a new question.






marked as duplicate by Elysian Fields♦, jmac, jcmeloni, gnat, CincinnatiProgrammer Nov 8 '13 at 12:01


This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your question, please ask a new question.









  • 2




    Related: I am not satisfied with my review, how should I approach improving it for next year?, How can I professionally and politely disagree with Management about my performance review?
    – jmac
    Nov 8 '13 at 0:01










  • @jmac: Thanks, the second link is very helpful and confirms my feeling that I shouldn't be blamed for not fixing things that I didn't know needed fixing.
    – Chris O.
    Nov 8 '13 at 0:44






  • 4




    @ChrisO. ultimately your performance review is the result of your action (or inaction) you take and your ability to communicate this to your manager. Read this question and the related answers to explain how, even if you did good work, you still have to communicate it to your boss. You will note this comment predicting this situation :)
    – Elysian Fields♦
    Nov 8 '13 at 1:39











  • Have you considered the fact those other colleagues didn't have the same issues you had, and the reason your review was what it was, actually is justified in that regard?
    – Ramhound
    Nov 8 '13 at 12:47












  • 2




    Related: I am not satisfied with my review, how should I approach improving it for next year?, How can I professionally and politely disagree with Management about my performance review?
    – jmac
    Nov 8 '13 at 0:01










  • @jmac: Thanks, the second link is very helpful and confirms my feeling that I shouldn't be blamed for not fixing things that I didn't know needed fixing.
    – Chris O.
    Nov 8 '13 at 0:44






  • 4




    @ChrisO. ultimately your performance review is the result of your action (or inaction) you take and your ability to communicate this to your manager. Read this question and the related answers to explain how, even if you did good work, you still have to communicate it to your boss. You will note this comment predicting this situation :)
    – Elysian Fields♦
    Nov 8 '13 at 1:39











  • Have you considered the fact those other colleagues didn't have the same issues you had, and the reason your review was what it was, actually is justified in that regard?
    – Ramhound
    Nov 8 '13 at 12:47







2




2




Related: I am not satisfied with my review, how should I approach improving it for next year?, How can I professionally and politely disagree with Management about my performance review?
– jmac
Nov 8 '13 at 0:01




Related: I am not satisfied with my review, how should I approach improving it for next year?, How can I professionally and politely disagree with Management about my performance review?
– jmac
Nov 8 '13 at 0:01












@jmac: Thanks, the second link is very helpful and confirms my feeling that I shouldn't be blamed for not fixing things that I didn't know needed fixing.
– Chris O.
Nov 8 '13 at 0:44




@jmac: Thanks, the second link is very helpful and confirms my feeling that I shouldn't be blamed for not fixing things that I didn't know needed fixing.
– Chris O.
Nov 8 '13 at 0:44




4




4




@ChrisO. ultimately your performance review is the result of your action (or inaction) you take and your ability to communicate this to your manager. Read this question and the related answers to explain how, even if you did good work, you still have to communicate it to your boss. You will note this comment predicting this situation :)
– Elysian Fields♦
Nov 8 '13 at 1:39





@ChrisO. ultimately your performance review is the result of your action (or inaction) you take and your ability to communicate this to your manager. Read this question and the related answers to explain how, even if you did good work, you still have to communicate it to your boss. You will note this comment predicting this situation :)
– Elysian Fields♦
Nov 8 '13 at 1:39













Have you considered the fact those other colleagues didn't have the same issues you had, and the reason your review was what it was, actually is justified in that regard?
– Ramhound
Nov 8 '13 at 12:47




Have you considered the fact those other colleagues didn't have the same issues you had, and the reason your review was what it was, actually is justified in that regard?
– Ramhound
Nov 8 '13 at 12:47










1 Answer
1






active

oldest

votes

















up vote
1
down vote













The 'pay' component of this is separate from the 'morale' issue. A lot of pay isn't fair - plain and simple. Whether other people make more or less is a distraction - people get upset about it all the time, but such things will always be.



I've been in job situations where management was making serious mistakes - as in pretty close to illegal, and definitely breaking the spirit if not the letter of the contract. Usually this was happening because the project had completely blown it's schedule and budget and the managers were trying to 'manage client communication'. My reaction to this, for the most part, was to ask 'what the hell do you think you're doing?' - and in some circumstances, quit on the spot. Looking back, there are things that I would have done differently. You may be in a situation where managers were expecting you to make them aware of things, you didn't, and therefore they thought certain bases were covered when they weren't. This would be a legitimate issue.



If the project is in trouble, and the employer has to husband whatever cash they have to finish, your pay situation may reflect a situation that isn't under their control.



There are programmers that get in the habit of 'I'm in my little world, don't bother me'. In short, they leave bigger issues to others, and don't comment or contribute. This is dangerous for the employer and dangerous for the programmer.



The instant that you understand enough about development to roughly understand the development cycle and how long things take, you should try to see whether your project is within it's budgets or timelines. If it's becoming clear that these targets are optimistic, you should make this clear to project management. Most likely they already know, but there are details that might flesh this out, details that only you understand. Similarly, if customers have changed requirements or added further demands, everyone in your project should be aware of these, and the project team can ask for more time and money as appropriate.



When a project has exceeded the skills of it's management, everyone's morale is going to tank. You co-workers may not be feeling any better than you are. One can spend time playing out various scenarios, among them:



  1. Would more advanced development tools have helped? Do I know what
    they are and how to use them?


  2. What should this have cost and what is the appropriate timeline?
    Why did the project team estimate badly? (Sometimes the schedule is
    applied externally, and the team leaders simply say Yes.)


  3. Would a more organized method of coding or allocating tasks within
    the project have improved response? If so, what are they?


Once you begin to see solutions, you can start thinking of what you can do on the next round. Understanding these things does help morale in the long run.






share|improve this answer



























    1 Answer
    1






    active

    oldest

    votes








    1 Answer
    1






    active

    oldest

    votes









    active

    oldest

    votes






    active

    oldest

    votes








    up vote
    1
    down vote













    The 'pay' component of this is separate from the 'morale' issue. A lot of pay isn't fair - plain and simple. Whether other people make more or less is a distraction - people get upset about it all the time, but such things will always be.



    I've been in job situations where management was making serious mistakes - as in pretty close to illegal, and definitely breaking the spirit if not the letter of the contract. Usually this was happening because the project had completely blown it's schedule and budget and the managers were trying to 'manage client communication'. My reaction to this, for the most part, was to ask 'what the hell do you think you're doing?' - and in some circumstances, quit on the spot. Looking back, there are things that I would have done differently. You may be in a situation where managers were expecting you to make them aware of things, you didn't, and therefore they thought certain bases were covered when they weren't. This would be a legitimate issue.



    If the project is in trouble, and the employer has to husband whatever cash they have to finish, your pay situation may reflect a situation that isn't under their control.



    There are programmers that get in the habit of 'I'm in my little world, don't bother me'. In short, they leave bigger issues to others, and don't comment or contribute. This is dangerous for the employer and dangerous for the programmer.



    The instant that you understand enough about development to roughly understand the development cycle and how long things take, you should try to see whether your project is within it's budgets or timelines. If it's becoming clear that these targets are optimistic, you should make this clear to project management. Most likely they already know, but there are details that might flesh this out, details that only you understand. Similarly, if customers have changed requirements or added further demands, everyone in your project should be aware of these, and the project team can ask for more time and money as appropriate.



    When a project has exceeded the skills of it's management, everyone's morale is going to tank. You co-workers may not be feeling any better than you are. One can spend time playing out various scenarios, among them:



    1. Would more advanced development tools have helped? Do I know what
      they are and how to use them?


    2. What should this have cost and what is the appropriate timeline?
      Why did the project team estimate badly? (Sometimes the schedule is
      applied externally, and the team leaders simply say Yes.)


    3. Would a more organized method of coding or allocating tasks within
      the project have improved response? If so, what are they?


    Once you begin to see solutions, you can start thinking of what you can do on the next round. Understanding these things does help morale in the long run.






    share|improve this answer
























      up vote
      1
      down vote













      The 'pay' component of this is separate from the 'morale' issue. A lot of pay isn't fair - plain and simple. Whether other people make more or less is a distraction - people get upset about it all the time, but such things will always be.



      I've been in job situations where management was making serious mistakes - as in pretty close to illegal, and definitely breaking the spirit if not the letter of the contract. Usually this was happening because the project had completely blown it's schedule and budget and the managers were trying to 'manage client communication'. My reaction to this, for the most part, was to ask 'what the hell do you think you're doing?' - and in some circumstances, quit on the spot. Looking back, there are things that I would have done differently. You may be in a situation where managers were expecting you to make them aware of things, you didn't, and therefore they thought certain bases were covered when they weren't. This would be a legitimate issue.



      If the project is in trouble, and the employer has to husband whatever cash they have to finish, your pay situation may reflect a situation that isn't under their control.



      There are programmers that get in the habit of 'I'm in my little world, don't bother me'. In short, they leave bigger issues to others, and don't comment or contribute. This is dangerous for the employer and dangerous for the programmer.



      The instant that you understand enough about development to roughly understand the development cycle and how long things take, you should try to see whether your project is within it's budgets or timelines. If it's becoming clear that these targets are optimistic, you should make this clear to project management. Most likely they already know, but there are details that might flesh this out, details that only you understand. Similarly, if customers have changed requirements or added further demands, everyone in your project should be aware of these, and the project team can ask for more time and money as appropriate.



      When a project has exceeded the skills of it's management, everyone's morale is going to tank. You co-workers may not be feeling any better than you are. One can spend time playing out various scenarios, among them:



      1. Would more advanced development tools have helped? Do I know what
        they are and how to use them?


      2. What should this have cost and what is the appropriate timeline?
        Why did the project team estimate badly? (Sometimes the schedule is
        applied externally, and the team leaders simply say Yes.)


      3. Would a more organized method of coding or allocating tasks within
        the project have improved response? If so, what are they?


      Once you begin to see solutions, you can start thinking of what you can do on the next round. Understanding these things does help morale in the long run.






      share|improve this answer






















        up vote
        1
        down vote










        up vote
        1
        down vote









        The 'pay' component of this is separate from the 'morale' issue. A lot of pay isn't fair - plain and simple. Whether other people make more or less is a distraction - people get upset about it all the time, but such things will always be.



        I've been in job situations where management was making serious mistakes - as in pretty close to illegal, and definitely breaking the spirit if not the letter of the contract. Usually this was happening because the project had completely blown it's schedule and budget and the managers were trying to 'manage client communication'. My reaction to this, for the most part, was to ask 'what the hell do you think you're doing?' - and in some circumstances, quit on the spot. Looking back, there are things that I would have done differently. You may be in a situation where managers were expecting you to make them aware of things, you didn't, and therefore they thought certain bases were covered when they weren't. This would be a legitimate issue.



        If the project is in trouble, and the employer has to husband whatever cash they have to finish, your pay situation may reflect a situation that isn't under their control.



        There are programmers that get in the habit of 'I'm in my little world, don't bother me'. In short, they leave bigger issues to others, and don't comment or contribute. This is dangerous for the employer and dangerous for the programmer.



        The instant that you understand enough about development to roughly understand the development cycle and how long things take, you should try to see whether your project is within it's budgets or timelines. If it's becoming clear that these targets are optimistic, you should make this clear to project management. Most likely they already know, but there are details that might flesh this out, details that only you understand. Similarly, if customers have changed requirements or added further demands, everyone in your project should be aware of these, and the project team can ask for more time and money as appropriate.



        When a project has exceeded the skills of it's management, everyone's morale is going to tank. You co-workers may not be feeling any better than you are. One can spend time playing out various scenarios, among them:



        1. Would more advanced development tools have helped? Do I know what
          they are and how to use them?


        2. What should this have cost and what is the appropriate timeline?
          Why did the project team estimate badly? (Sometimes the schedule is
          applied externally, and the team leaders simply say Yes.)


        3. Would a more organized method of coding or allocating tasks within
          the project have improved response? If so, what are they?


        Once you begin to see solutions, you can start thinking of what you can do on the next round. Understanding these things does help morale in the long run.






        share|improve this answer












        The 'pay' component of this is separate from the 'morale' issue. A lot of pay isn't fair - plain and simple. Whether other people make more or less is a distraction - people get upset about it all the time, but such things will always be.



        I've been in job situations where management was making serious mistakes - as in pretty close to illegal, and definitely breaking the spirit if not the letter of the contract. Usually this was happening because the project had completely blown it's schedule and budget and the managers were trying to 'manage client communication'. My reaction to this, for the most part, was to ask 'what the hell do you think you're doing?' - and in some circumstances, quit on the spot. Looking back, there are things that I would have done differently. You may be in a situation where managers were expecting you to make them aware of things, you didn't, and therefore they thought certain bases were covered when they weren't. This would be a legitimate issue.



        If the project is in trouble, and the employer has to husband whatever cash they have to finish, your pay situation may reflect a situation that isn't under their control.



        There are programmers that get in the habit of 'I'm in my little world, don't bother me'. In short, they leave bigger issues to others, and don't comment or contribute. This is dangerous for the employer and dangerous for the programmer.



        The instant that you understand enough about development to roughly understand the development cycle and how long things take, you should try to see whether your project is within it's budgets or timelines. If it's becoming clear that these targets are optimistic, you should make this clear to project management. Most likely they already know, but there are details that might flesh this out, details that only you understand. Similarly, if customers have changed requirements or added further demands, everyone in your project should be aware of these, and the project team can ask for more time and money as appropriate.



        When a project has exceeded the skills of it's management, everyone's morale is going to tank. You co-workers may not be feeling any better than you are. One can spend time playing out various scenarios, among them:



        1. Would more advanced development tools have helped? Do I know what
          they are and how to use them?


        2. What should this have cost and what is the appropriate timeline?
          Why did the project team estimate badly? (Sometimes the schedule is
          applied externally, and the team leaders simply say Yes.)


        3. Would a more organized method of coding or allocating tasks within
          the project have improved response? If so, what are they?


        Once you begin to see solutions, you can start thinking of what you can do on the next round. Understanding these things does help morale in the long run.







        share|improve this answer












        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer










        answered Nov 8 '13 at 9:28









        Meredith Poor

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        8,8661730












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