From annual ritual to daily routine: continuous performance management and its consequences for employment security. (12th March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Williams, Glynne; Beck, Vanessa
• Is Part Of: New technology, work and employment. Volume 33:Number 1(2018:Mar.)
• Page Start: 30
• Page End: 43
• Publication Date: 2018-03-12
• Subjects: performance management -- dismissal -- management consultants -- performance appraisal -- older workers -- employment security.; Labor supply -- Effect of technological innovations on -- Periodicals; 338.064
• DOI: 10.1111/ntwe.12106
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0268-1072

Abstract

Abstract : Management control in the workplace ultimately rests on the power to dismiss employees who are deemed to be underperforming. This article examines a more recent trend away from annual appraisal and towards continual monitoring and review. Based on a study of specialist proprietary performance management (PM) software packages and interviews with the consultants who market them, the contention is that these developments are driven by the need to control dismissal. In the case of the UK, we argue that the adoption of PM systems needs to be understood as a means of 'retiring' older workers who might otherwise remain in employment. The systems studied here draw on a range of data, allowing managers considerable discretion in how this evidence is used. Specifically, by dispensing with explicit ranking methods, these systems suggest a new employer confidence in the use of subjective evidence.