What Is 360-Degree Feedback?
360 Degree Feedback is an evaluation tool used by the majority of the Fortune 1000 companies and some smaller businesses. For each employee, his peers, his supervisors and his juniors (if applicable) fill out an assessment survey to rate his performance, competencies and expertise. Each employee also fills out a survey for himself, which completes the assessment "circle," hence the name of the survey tool.
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Features
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The 360-Degree Feedback tool can be used to evaluate any employee at any level. Companies can either design their own surveys or purchase exact template packages from Team Builders Plus. As of 2010, packages start at $295 per feedback receiver. It is not a personality survey but one that focuses on job skills, knowledge and performance. Respondents rate employees on a numerical scale and may add written comments to each answer. Team Builders Plus recommends that there be no more than 50 questions per survey and that it be administered approximately every nine to 12 months. All survey responses are anonymous.
Function
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An evaluated employee receives a report with her own responses and the anonymous responses of her co-workers, managers and subsidiaries. She is able to compare how she rates her own performance with how others at the company do. The purpose is for employees to use this feedback to improve on areas that are lacking. Companies are encouraged to offer continuous learning and training opportunities to complement this goal.
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Benefits
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Assessed individuals have the opportunity to learn of aspects about their work performance that they may have never realized before. They will not only learn of areas to improve on but also of possible hidden talents. In this way, the 360-Degree Feedback tool can promote workplace morale. The fact that responses are anonymous allows respondents to provide honest evaluations. If a company designs its own survey, it has the chance to clearly define expected job competencies, which can be educational for all employees involved. There may be the opportunity for customers to complete surveys, which leads to positive customer service experiences. Managers and executives are able to identify areas where skill training is required and offer learning opportunities to their employees. Ideally, employees will all be open to feedback and have the desire to improve, which equates to overall success for the company.
Survey Model
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If a company chooses to design its own 360-Degree Feedback survey, questions should be written clearly and focus on positive and relevant performance activities. Questions should start with actionable verbs and should focus on employee performance, not thoughts or feelings. Team Builders Plus recommends that respondents have a good idea of the employee's daily performance and skills and have somewhat regular contact with him.
Reports
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Only the evaluated employee gets a copy of the actual results; managers receive an overall report for the employees in her department. Employees are encouraged to tell their managers what their new objectives are for improving work performance, without sharing the actual report details.
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References
- Photo Credit Office-manager behind the workplace kdd image by Mykola Velychko from Fotolia.com
