Boss Scheduled Annual Review for Friday at 4pm

Relax. After he gives you a glowing review, he's gonna ask if you want to go grab a beer.

Yeah, I agree with the first response. An improptu annual review like that, barring any gross misconduct on your part, would be unusually cruel. He will likely sing your praises.

That being said: I live by the motto of always expecting the worst but hoping for the best.

Good luck - give us an update.

Talkin to the Bobs.

My .02? I’ve fired/hired/laid off many in my career, and I spent most of it at a Fortune 500 company. I always had HR schedule dismissals for a.m. It was company policy, in fact, for layoffs.

I would never schedule a review I expected to go or end badly for a Friday afternoon. A) it’s cruel, B) I wouldn’t want my own week to end on a sour note.

Okay, quick update.

First, to the posters who have replied, a huge "Thank you" for your responses. It has helped calm me...lol. As the previous poster said, whenever I have seen layoffs/firings/etc happen at this company, it has always been earlier in the day, ie a 10 or 11 am type thing...hopefully that is good news. As far as being cruel...I don't disagree..lol.

Second, and the important update, is talked to my direct co-worker (again, small team) and mentioned the review...He said "Oh, mine is at 3 on Friday".

It seems like your already pretty chilled out, but I'll pile on to assure you that there is almost no chance this will be a bad thing. I've been in roles with hiring/firing responsibility for ~10 years now at companies ranging in size from post-Series A start-ups to Fortune 20, and it has always been HR policy to conduct layoffs in the AM. There are a lot of things that need to get done after someone is let go - turn off their badge, disable their email, reposes their laptop, etc. No way this would be left for 4:00pm on a Friday afternoon.

Given the timing I'm guessing HR recently pinged you manager and let him know reviews are due this week and he/she is trying to cram them in. I'd expect at least a decent review as no manager wants to end the week by giving his/her subordinate challenging review. It's a pretty unpleasant experience on both sides, and something better tackled early in the week.

Thank you. When I was managing people, I remember these "HR" emails. You'd get one with a "Reviews Due This Week" type heading. Plus, yes, anytime I've ever had to let people go, it was always done in the mid to late morning for the reasons you described above.

I shall keep everyone updated.

We call that Fire O'clock where I work.

I always fire people at the end of the day on Friday. Gotta show them who's the boss.

How is the job a McD's working out for ya?

Both times I was laid off it was a Thursday around 10 am. Unless someone from HR is included in the meeting invitation there’s nothing to worry about based on what you’ve said.

Also, since the review is Friday you have all week to poke around and gauge your manager’s attitude.

Leave a preemptive upper decker just in case.

Gravy wrote:

Leave a preemptive upper decker just in case.

Was thinking about taking a dump in a compression sock and leaving it in my desk. Thoughts?

MeHereYouWhere?! wrote:

Gravy wrote:

Leave a preemptive upper decker just in case.

Was thinking about taking a dump in a compression sock and leaving it in my desk. Thoughts?

Yes, that is a MUST DO. Since you have a couple of days to prepare I would consider bringing in a couple of filled compression socks for your supervisors desk as well. You only get the revenge chance once and you must take advantage. Odds are very high that you are being let go, so make sure you take the first shot. You may also want to start the meeting off by kicking the b@stard in his crotch just to let him know you are not one to be messed with.

here you go johnny wrote:

You may also want to start the meeting off by kicking the b@stard in his crotch just to let him know you are not one to be messed with.

My manager is a female so I'm not sure this will have the same impact....

MeHereYouWhere?! wrote:

Gravy wrote:

Leave a preemptive upper decker just in case.

Was thinking about taking a dump in a compression sock and leaving it in my desk. Thoughts?

Include a ziploc baggie for odor control so if it goes well you can just stuff it back in your pocket and no one's the wiser.

As for a knee to the privates (male or female), if one is warranted you'll only be socking it to the HR mgr in on the meeting. Though I've spent a career thinking of HR in general as a scourge, they make for effective human shields in potentially unpleasant situations. As do big executive desks. Worth every penny.

Well...

....by!

0/10

Curly Bill wrote:

Well...

....by!

0/10

You're a moran.

I've replied back on this post numerous times (thanks to all serious replies ) and will update again on Friday afternoon.

Or, in the words of the great "rcjason" on these boards: Stay tuned. More coming soon.

UPDATE

Apparently my boss forgot that it's company policy to have the employee do a self-review/evaluation before the boss gives your actual review.

Review has been postponed until Tuesday at 4pm to give me time to complete the self-review.