update: my performance evaluation is based on activities outside of work

by Alison Green on December 9, 2024

It’s “where are you now?” month at Ask a Manager, and all December I’m running updates from people who had their letters here answered in the past.

There will be more posts than usual this week, so keep checking back throughout the day.

Remember the letter-writer whose performance evaluation was based on activities outside of work? The first update was here and here’s the latest.

I saw your recent call for updates and wanted to share another update now that it has been a couple years since my original letter.

After switching supervisors, I had the opportunity to work with my former supervisor as more of a peer. I realized that she did not have a very technical background, which explains why she seemed unfamiliar with many of the responsibilities I was supposedly hired for. Our skillsets simply don’t overlap very much. I’m not sure why she was initially assigned as my supervisor but I think we’re both glad I was reassigned.

My first review with my new supervisor was completely different. He seemed surprised by some of my previous goals and the way they were set up like checklists. I’m happy to say that I no longer have neverending checklists to complete and hoops to jump through for my review. I do still have goals related to relationships and professional development, but they’re actually relevant to my role, and I was able to give my input on them. My new supervisor also works with me directly enough to give me meaningful feedback beyond my goals.

I did find out that some of my coworkers have had experiences similar to mine, so it really seems like luck of the draw in terms of who you have as a supervisor. In particular, LGBT coworkers were pressured to participate in unpaid activities that would make the company look good in terms of diversity, but luckily they’ve been successful in pushing back. I also noticed a junior level coworker recently started attending committee meetings and reached out to let him know he could be paid for that, which he seemed relieved to hear.

Last but not least, I just accepted an offer for a job I’m super excited about and I plan on giving notice soon. Some of the comments on my original letter pointed out that the amount of professional development and networking my former supervisor wanted me to do could force me to outgrow my role and leave for a better opportunity. That’s pretty much exactly what happened, although I don’t think I got this job offer because of the webinars I watched or happy hours I attended (the professional development I’ve done under my new supervisor has been a lot more meaningful). Still, I can appreciate that some of those activities ended up helping me get to this point in my career. I also have a much clearer sense of what makes a good manager now, which helped me feel confident in accepting this offer. My future boss seems great! And I’ll miss my current boss when I leave, but I know he’ll be happy for me because this really is an amazing opportunity.

Thanks again for publishing my letter and for your excellent advice!

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  1. Sloanicota*

    Your old supervisor sounds very checked out OP. That’s not always the worst thing if they stay out of your way and let you get on with your work, but it’s awful if they are dinging you on your performance reviews or trying to hold you to external standards that don’t make sense because of box-checking. Glad you got out.

    1. MigraineMonth*

      A checked-out manager is far less stressful than a micromanaging one, but having someone who doesn’t give you feedback, doesn’t advocate for you and doesn’t provide promotional or growth opportunities can do a lot of long-term damage to your career. This is particularly true early in one’s career, when a checked-out boss might not let you know you aren’t a good match for your current job or leave you in an entry-level position (and pay) for too long.

  2. Hlao-roo*

    Thanks for this update! I’m glad you were switched to a supervisor who was a better match and could give you meaningful feedback.

    Best of luck at your new job!

  3. all the leaves are on the trees*

    Thank you for the update! This is such a perfect example of how the quality of a boss can really Make Or Break a job. A bad boss can ruin and wreck everything… and sometimes it’s as easily fixed as just swapping out bosses but keeping everything else about the job! It’s why I wish organizations were more open to people just asking to switch supervisors, because that really can be the only difference between nightmarish and acceptable.

  4. Dawn*

    I’m still really happy for you that you ended up getting away from that absolutely terrible supervisor (who I still maintain was taking advantage of you, possibly illegally,) and even happier for you that you’re moving on to bigger and better things! Congratulations!

  5. Observer*

    That was some ride!

    But I’m so glad that things are going well. And it’s nice that you’re dealing with a boss who is likely to be happy for you, even though they won’t be thrilled to lose you.

  6. goddessoftransitory*

    LGBT coworkers were pressured to participate in unpaid activities that would make the company look good in terms of diversity, but luckily they’ve been successful in pushing back.

    Ugh, soooo glad this was pushed back on–I hate posterboarding; that is “do/hire/position minority in front as long as it takes to take the picture for the posters.” It may, somewhere, translate into genuine opportunities or capital for said employees, but certainly not as a matter of course.

  7. Angie S.*

    I was going to say that, too. Non-white, non-straight, sex that is other than male employees should not be pushed to attend activities that make an organization looks good.

    I had a job that was similar to that. When I asked if I was hired because I was a woman, identified myself as a minority, and spoke a language other than English, my boss hesitated but gave me a no as an answer. I was so glad that I left because it was so bloody obvious. I had the skill sets and I don’t need special favour to get hired. I also don’t want to join all those outside work activities.

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