On Tue, 21 Apr 2015 20:41:44 +0100, Tim Watts
wrote:

On 21/04/15 20:26, MM wrote:

What do you feel about appraisals, then?!! We had to design our own
"mission statement" and other total ********. They'd always ask, what
do you want to be doing in five years' time -- expecting me to say
something positive like "running the company". I think even some of
the managers thought it was a complete waste of their time and mine.

MM


What's an "appraisal"? Cannot remember the last time I did one!

It's much too late, but again I can't sleep (having problems with the
old insomnia again) so here's a brief recall: You meet up with your
manager on a one-to-one basis, similar to an initial job interview.
You and he are supposed to take on the role of being best buddies
together during the appraisal. Then there are various forms to fill
out, like the "mission statement" one I mentioned. There are "goals"
to set, "opportunities" for improvement (made me think I should shower
more often), and finally the manager would offer some words of advice
in order to become a better drone. A few days later you'd get a
printed report, i.e. "the appraisal", or even better, "The Appraisal",
with capital letters to show how really, really important it was. You
and he would sign it as a token of mutual love and understanding for
each other and for the fabulous company both of us worked for. Then it
was over for another year.

I believe some managers (the fascist tendency) enjoyed the process
because it gave them the opportunity to speak down to the employee and
tell him how he should pull his socks up.

Appraisals are all about self-aggrandizement -- for the management.

F**k knows what work feels like today, as I have been out of the
rat-race for 14 years. As I can avoid the rush hour now, I never see
workers going to work. They have become an invisible army. I know they
exist, because Cameron keeps telling us they do, but I never see them
any more. The only change I notice is when the schools are off and
Sainsbury's car park is full. (Usually there are plenty of free
spaces.)

Gonna have another stab at sleeping now...

MM