Honesty when reviewing an employer/manager

[Deleted]

We have a survey to take regarding all sorts of different aspects of my job tasks, manager, coworkers, etc.

I can't be totally honest because well, they haven't hired anyone to work here in years so "group think" is really high but at the same time, if I'm not somewhat honest nothing will ever change.

How do you deal with things like this? Its suppose to be anonymous, but l've seen the last few years results and there are hardly any comments let alone something negative.

[Deleted]

I always lie and say how happy I am with everything. I have never worked anywhere where those anonymous surveys have ever been actually anonymous. No I haven't worked for mom and pop shops. 3 out of my 5 employeers are all extremely large household names.

[Deleted]

Sept 7, 2012 12:08:47 GMT -5 flygirl said:

We have a survey to take regarding all sorts of different aspects of my job tasks, manager, coworkers, etc.

I can't be totally honest because well, they haven't hired anyone to work here in years so "group think" is really high but at the same time, if I'm not somewhat honest nothing will ever change.

How do you deal with things like this? Its suppose to be anonymous, but l've seen the last few years results and there are hardly any comments let alone something negative.

Why would you want something to change? Is there a particular issue you're struggling with that you would like to improve? If so, I'm not sure a survey is the right way to raise the subject. Also, I'm strongly doubting that surveys like that are *really* anonymous. Be careful what you say. If you think they want you to spout the company line, do it. It's about your job and maintaining your position, not about changing the company structure and culture.

[ejpint]

I would be somewhat honest, but I wouldn't take this as an opportunity to bash your employer. Everywhere I've worked, results have genuinely been anonymous. I've worked for only larger employers, at least 5000+, most over 30,000+. However, at my current company, results are tied to performance, so a bad overall survey could impact your bonus (which makes no sense to me when you're trying to get candid feedback, but whatever). Action plans are then created around any dissatisfiers.

Anyway, if there's something that's truly a beef, I'd gently bring it up with your manager. Have a general idea of how it could change and how change would benefit the company (not necessarily you). If the suggestion is well received, maybe you can be a champion for said change. If not, unless it's a major issue (like impacts safety or wellness or creates a hostile work environment), I'd probably let it go and decide whether you can live with it. I don't think anonymous surveys are the best way to foster change.

[pamela]

I am typically pretty blunt in ours and they pretty much could narrow down who I am in most of them. I do however put things based in facts, not just grievances. This most recent one was on retention issues and I was definitely forthright in it because we have major retention issues.

I also work in an environment where I have major recourse if the employer retaliates in any way against an employee bringing up concerns so I don't really worry about that.

[Deleted]

Haha. My staff are totally honest. My goal every year is to not cry when I get my scores and the scores of my staff. And I actually get really good performance reviews--often in the top 20% of my business unit.

They are anonymous unless someone says something that would clearly identify them. Like if someone said my "manager is the worst because she put me on a performance plan" and I've only put one person on a plan.

The surveys are useful, but frustrating that part of my performance is based on surveys that aren't all that precise and can be bad if someone's just having a bad week.

[Becca]

I would be honest but choose your words carefully. Only write things that you would be willing to defend to someone's face. There is a gentle way to say just about anything.

You can't complain about the way things are if you don't speak up for change when given the opportunity

[Deleted]

There is absolutely no way I would be honest if I had a concern. Any place that relies on anonymous surveys isn't looking to change.

[Deleted]

I would lie. A friend was honest and her boss made her life hell.

[pamela]

Sept 7, 2012 16:55:09 GMT -5 BirdGirl said:

There is absolutely no way I would be honest if I had a concern. Any place that relies on anonymous surveys isn't looking to change.

I don't believe this to be true. I see it as another way to gather feedback. If someone isn't willing to be honest about things that need to be changed when it's anonymous, how the hell do you think they are going to say it with their name attached?

[Deleted]

I do think my company honestly wants to change. It is a really good company to work for. I don't why they'd spend all the money for them if they didn't want to use the information.

[drloretta]

I would be honest, but I agree that I'd back it up with facts and not just grievances or personal stuff. If you think there should be more training opportunities, or opportunities for advancement, or a review of certain policies, they are all reasonable things to bring up.

I worked for a great company that did those anonymous surveys. I found them to be truly anonymous (unless you wrote something identifiable) and were used to make some needed changes. I'm sure it depends on the culture of the company, but I tend to be not so cynical about them.