An upward evaluation system for managers that works The Journal of Personnel Psychology reports on an upward evaluation system that significantly improved employee perception of management's ability to create an effective, productive and employee friendly work environment. The key is separating this evaluation from management compensation issues, providing managers with support to understand employee ratings and furnishing them with training to improve management skills.
Upward evaluation is a system in which subordinates rate their manager's abilities.
It is based on the premise that a work team is happy and productive when their manager is providing them with an effective and employee friendly work environment. One company experimented with this kind of evaluation system by having its employees rate their managers relative to work environment and employee satisfaction issues. So, managers were told that these ratings were going to be used for development purposes only and would not have a bearing on compensation or promotional opportunities. Most importantly this promise was kept during the entire 5-year experimental period. In line with this volunteerism approach managers were encouraged, but were not required, to conduct feedback meetings with their employees about ratings.