Read on to learn why this is a problem, and how to fix it.

In May 2015, online HR software provider BambooHR performed a survey of 1,933 people over the age of 21 who are currently employed at firms with a headcount of over 50 employees. The results of this survey deeply surprised researchers.

Of the 1,933 people surveyed, 42% are at companies which aren’t performing employee reviews at all. That leaves 58% of respondents employed by businesses which do carry out performance reviews. A whopping 89% of that group believe that employee evaluations benefit the companies, not the workforce.

BambooHR’s researchers discovered that only 16% of employees surveyed want to receive feedback during their performance reviews. Why is that number so low?

The other results of the survey help explain why so many employees find performance evaluations ineffective and unrewarding. Sixty seven percent of employees stated they felt as though their managers weren’t listening to them during the review. So, it shouldn’t come as any surprise that 55% of employees surveyed said their companies don’t address concerns brought up during the evaluation. With that statistic in mind, it should be almost expected that 62% of respondents never see changes occur as a result of feedback. Why would they, if no one is listening in the first place?

After reading the preceding paragraph, it’s fairly clear what makes employees unhappy or dissatisfied with the way their companies are carrying out the employee review process. So, what do they want instead?

Researchers at BambooHR didn’t ignore this question. They discovered five things that employees want out of an evaluation. Your workers find an informal, open conversation to be motivating. When managers listen and implement their subordinates’ ideas, that sparks their desire to stay at the company and succeed.

Another item on employees’ wishlists is being recognized by their managers for a job well done. They’d also love to be rewarded with a raise, which shouldn’t shock anyone. However, it’s not all about the money. Employees also want to hold one-on-one conversations with their managers about their career paths.

Are your employees complaining about your current performance review process? Grapevine Evaluations has the solution: a web-based 360 degree feedback tool that includes comprehensive reporting, so you and your employees can get an accurate understanding of what matters: how they are perceived from management and co-workers, and where they can improve. Contact us today to learn more about our employee review tool.