Poll: Should yearly performance reviews for staff be axed?

The practice has been described as a ‘discredited ritual’ that everybody hates.

By Conor McMahon Deputy editor, Fora

PERFORMANCE REVIEW SEASON is upon us and managers across the country are preparing to evaluate their subordinates before the year is out.

The Irish Times covered the practice last week in its ‘World of Work’ column, in which American business consultant Margaret Heffernan described the annual review as “a completed discredited ritual” that everybody hates.

She noted how many businesses today have axed the annual review in favour of immediate, constructive feedback between workers and employers.

However Jim Harte, a scientist at performance-management consultants Gallup, told the newspaper that while the traditional review needs an overhaul, it shouldn’t be abandoned altogether.

He said the year-end review is important but should take place in conjunction with ongoing catch-ups between employees and bosses.

With that in mind, we’re asking Fora readers this week: Should yearly performance reviews for staff be axed?