Personal Life and Labeling Used on Employee Review?

Question

From a legal standpoint, what do you think of an employer stating on a review that an employee's personal life has affected thier attitude, temper and overall performance? What about labeling someone as playing "the victim?"

Is the scenario different if the employee's attitude changed because they were discriminated against? Is the scenario different if speaking of the discrimination is the reason the employer labeled the employee as playing the "victim"?

Answer 1

The appraisal should refer to the behavior, not their speculation as to what caused it.

Answer 2

I don't see this as any form a discrimination. I see this as a wakeup call to say that the employee is allowing his/ner personal life to impact the professional life. Employers are paying to get work done, if someone's personal life is affecting that process, then the employer needs to let the employee know so that the employee can change the behavior before he/she gets fired.

Think about what they mean. Are you using on the phone (your cell or the company phone) every day to talk to family and friends? The company is not paying you to talk to them. Are you coming to work every day with another tale about your latest fight with your significant other? No one at work cares and you are taking up work time.

Heed the wake-up call. Severely limit personal phone calls (if you do not have school age children coming home alone every day, then even a phone call a day on company time is too much.) Save stories about your personal life for break time and lunch time with your friends. Focus on working during work hours.

If you really have a big, short term personal problem (like your mother is in the hospital), then you need to speak with your boss about the best way for you to handle the problem and get your work done.

Answer 3

Legally speaking it depends on what state you live in. For example in Indiana an employer can terminate someone without having to give a reason.

As far as personal life affecting your work - well that is just cause to terminate someone. It really isn't fair but I think most companies understand a death in the family or an illness affecting work but if it's everyday life they may see you as unproductive and disruptive. Try to see it as they are helping you by telling you this in a review rather than terminating your position. It's difficult but there needs to be a balance between work and home. Good luck to you with whatever it is you're dealing with and I hope it gets easier for you.

Answer 4

Absolutely.

Those employees who lives are filled with lots of personal problems, who then bring those problems to the work place through bad performance, poor attendance and negative attitude, invite the employer to use those tendencies on a review.

If your personal life doesn't interfere with work, then the employer would not use the personal problems on a review.

Answer 5

I don't see anything wrong with that. Certain employees that insist on bringing their personal drama to work everyday are NOT desired in the workforce. It takes up the time of others, takes away from production, and the employee often has no clue that others just don't want to hear about it.

If you feel you have been a victim of discrimination, that's fine, but co-workers are NOT the people to be discussing it with...do that on your off-time if you wish, but you aren't getting paid to complain.