More Than Half of U.S. Employees Say Performance Management Feels Like a Waste of Time, According to Quantum Workplace Research

Employees say current performance management processes don’t motivate them to improve performance. 

OMAHA, Neb. — 51% of U.S. employees say their organizations’ performance management process is not an effective use of time, according to new research from Quantum Workplace. The research also showed 52% of employees say current performance management doesn’t motivate them to improve their performance. Quantum Workplace is a leading employee success platform and the employee engagement partner for the nationally recognized Best Places to Work Programs. 

"The whole purpose of performance management is to inspire high performance. Employees don’t feel that inspiration. They feel like they’re just wasting time tracking performance,” Quantum Workplace Director of People Insights Anne Maltese said. 

The new research emphasizes the need for organizations to improve their performance management systems so that processes are easy, efficient, and effective, and employees are motivated to improve their performance. 

Key findings from the research include: 

• More than 2 in 3 employees say feedback from their managers is vital to improving their performance. 

• Managers want more clarity about how their performance is measured, more time with their teams, more management training, and more recognition for their accomplishments as a manager. 

• A majority of managers say that using engagement and performance technology helps them feel more effective. 

• Most organizations follow a traditional approach to performance, with an annual review as opposed to quarterly or monthly performance conversations. 

• When employees have a more continuous performance approach, they are more engaged. 

• Effective performance reviews that are engaging and feel fair include: recognition of accomplishments, review of performance data, have a clear understanding of performance rating, provide actionable advice, and discuss career growth. 

Read more performance management research and trends in Quantum Workplace’s Not Another Employee Engagement Trends Report.