e-valuation

Sam Culbert in this NYT op ed identifies the typical performance review as ‘subjective,’ by which he means unfair and capricious. Alternatively, he suggests that personnel evaluation should focus on goal setting and continuous improvement. In other words, personnel evaluation should be formative evaluation. Culbert correctly identifies the often poor quality of personnel evaluation and doing formative evaluation does make sense for almost all employees. The Wisconsin union protests speak to the necessary engagement of unions in creating public (and private) workplaces where performance review might serve both individual and collective needs.