It's time employees had more say in evaluating their supervisors: Reciprocal evaluation provides path to greater effectiveness

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to advance the view that employees should be allowed to evaluate their supervisors, with a review of these evaluations by the next level of management.

Design/methodology/approach

Draws on reflections from a workshop in which members of the workforce shared their concerns about the arbitrariness of supervisors in judging their performance, and these employees' lack of power and influence to critique the supervisor's performance in return.

Findings

Shows that, even in workplaces that claim to have initiated mechanisms for employees to evaluate their supervisors, these often fall short, either because employees have to place their names on their evaluations or because supervisors hand pick the employees who take part.

Practical implications

Contends that reciprocal reviews would improve the performance of supervisors.

Originality/value

Details a useful role for HR in the reciprocal‐review process.

Citation

Marques, J. (2008), "It's time employees had more say in evaluating their supervisors: Reciprocal evaluation provides path to greater effectiveness", Human Resource Management International Digest, Vol. 16 No. 5, pp. 35-37. https://doi.org/10.1108/09670730810888519