I've just been informed that a co-worker named me as one of his peer reviewers for the end-of-year reviews.

Anonymous

December 14,2022 at 1:26PM UTC

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I've just been informed that a co-worker named me as one of his peer reviewers for the end-of-year reviews. That wouldn't normally be a problem, but I seldom interact with this person. Frankly, when I do interact with him, he's usually very unpleasant. I have zero idea about how well he does his job technically, as I don't see the results. I do know that his is a position that's normally very social, and he simply is not very social.

I don't want to be branded as not being a team player or anything like that, and I don't have the option of not doing the review. I can do it anonymously, but since we have very few peer reviewers, it isn't going to be very anonymous.

What would you do?

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AnonymousDecember 14,2022 at 2:56PM UTC
Who chose you? Was it the co-worker or a manager? I ask because you say declining is not an option. Being on the fringes of observing his daily duties should probably exclude you. I am guessing that this person (if it was the co-worker) chose you because he had difficulty finding someone to give him a favorable review. I would answer the questions as honestly as possible, even if the answer is, "I haven't observed enough of his work to have formed an opinion."
AnonymousDecember 14,2022 at 3:31PM UTC
Is it possible to interview his coworkers to find out what he's like and how he works?
That might be taboo but thought I'd ask. If not, I would ask my manager what s/he would do, or even HR.
You have been put into an odd corner that you should not be in.
Holly JacobsDecember 14,2022 at 4:21PM UTC
Thank him for the opportunity to provide a valued review. Considering that fact, he may be an introvert, rudeness is a barrier, and you have limited social interaction and no visibility of core job function results ask him if you may decline the offer to review or ask what kind of feedback he wants you to provide. If he tells you his expectation you can decide what you want to say. Document everything, word for word.
Crystal HowellDecember 14,2022 at 7:48PM UTC
The truth always wins, ask why did he choose you? He knows you don't know him or workstyle? Be honest, he asked for it.
AnonymousDecember 16,2022 at 1:38PM UTC
Thank you for your responses!
The co-worker chose me. I did the review but didn't answer any of the optional questions. I honestly said that I had no opinion on most of the criteria but that his communication skills needed improvement.