Careers: How to protest an unfair performance review

Employees have the right to disagree with their employers. Most don't because they fear the impact or implications that it may have on their future career or relationship with their current employer. People should remember that work is all about business practices and employees have rights and are protected under the law. The first thing is to know your rights as an employee in the workplace. Make sure you read and become intimately familiar with your job's employee handbook. There may be valuable information as to how you can go about disputing or correcting unfair blemishes on your record. The Human Resources (HR) department can explain how the process works, but in some companies the HR department is the tool for management and may not get you anywhere. Determine if you can speak confidentially to HR and if not seek advice from an outside HR entity. The second most important resource for an employee is the Department of Labor website for your state. There are many tips and laws that you should be aware of that employers can and will break if they are not held accountable. Just because you are the employee and are depending on the income from your paycheck to meet certain needs doesn't mean you are in an inferior position to your employer. It is a partnership and you should always approach it as such. You may be replaceable, but you must be respectable at all times. Let them know that you are aware of your rights. Third, all conversations and actions should be done in writing. You have just as much access to your file as your employer does. You can ask to see your file and you can request correspondence that you write to your employer be inserted into your file. If you get an unfair performance review, you can write your comments/explanations about it and have it inserted into your file. Some employers allow you to comment on your review, some reviews are one sided - but you can always write your own rebuttal and have it filed. Lastly, keep it entirely professional. Don't take it personally although it may be difficult to not take a criticism as a personal attack. There are many factors that can play into why you did not receive a stellar review, but you should always maintain your composure. Some employers use their knowledge of business practices and their employees ignorance of it to their advantage. Stay abreast on your industry and don't be afraid to negotiate your career. Ultimately, its your job to do so, not your employer's.

Originally written for Helium.com