A colleague is not happy with my year-end feedback

Anonymous

December 11,2023 at 7:25PM UTC

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A colleague is not happy with my year-end feedback

A colleague who reports to my boss asked me to give her written end-of-year performance feedback, specifically asking for growth areas. This feedback goes into a central system and is shared with her and her manager. I spent time crafting what I thought was a nice mix of highlighting her strengths and accomplishments with opportunities for growth. She is someone who is not a star performer, but there is potential there if she'll seize learning opportunities.

Since I sent her the feedback, she has been avoiding speaking with me. Her manager shared the other feedback she got with me (inappropriate, I know), and it was glowing without any suggestions for growth. Was I wrong for writing feedback that isn't only glowing praise?

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Heather (she/her)December 11,2023 at 8:04PM UTC
Absolutely not. She asked for honest feedback and you gave it. No one likes to hear negative feedback, but hopefully with some time she will cool down and be able to work with you more professionally again.
AnonymousDecember 11,2023 at 8:59PM UTC
What's the point of feedback if it can't be honest especially if it's feedback that will benefit her?
AnonymousDecember 15,2023 at 5:31PM UTC
exactly -you hit it right on the nose. People are afraid of being honest in case of repercussions. I once gave honest feedback on a director that was playing some shady stuff at work and what I got for it was a layoff after 12 years of service! People are learning that honesty is NOT the best policy in the corporate world and do whatever is needed to keep your job even if it means cutting down someone else and praising those that are viewed as favorable by the top management level. stinks!
AnonymousDecember 11,2023 at 11:39PM UTC
Well you shared your honest feedback......it just happened to be very different than others.
Charles Mills (Chuck)December 12,2023 at 3:32AM UTC
Most certainly not. You were honest and dedicated to the purpose. The person that sent the glowrific report did her no favors and created no opportunity as your balanced analysis did.
AnonymousDecember 13,2023 at 2:20PM UTC
Hopefully, her supervisor will take this as growth moment for her. I also hope she understand she needs to be able to handle constructive feedback.
Life is not all sunshine and roses. There are bumps along the way, it is how you choose to deal with them that makes you a stronger or better person.
AnonymousDecember 13,2023 at 2:40PM UTC
Perhaps this is a culture of toxic positivity. If your 360s are 100% positive, it's probably not as honest as you'd want to believe.
Linda HeathDecember 13,2023 at 4:27PM UTC
I take issue with brushing over the "inappropriate". Confidential/anonymous means exactly that.
AnonymousDecember 15,2023 at 5:28PM UTC
used to be an HR manager and I've always had issue with the performance and merit processes that is being performed across all industries. It's not a true indication of whom is truly doing what but more of a how do we spread the percentages and monies across the top tier C Suite and manage the leftover spread below that level. It's never truthful and never honest and that is why I got out of HR. Seen this across several corporations. a farce!