I used to do them and hated them. I tried giving honest feedback in a tactful way, but frequently people have an elevated opinion of themselves.

I used to manage about 20 hourly employees in a receiving, inspection and stockroom department of computer manufacturing company. Had a woman who did an OK job inspecting electronic parts. She was not exceptionally bright or motivated, but she did her job adequately.

She had a best friend in the department and every time she needed to leave the area to go get something or see an engineer for a question, she would grab her friend and off they'd go.

In her annual review, I complimented her on the things she did well. I offered the constructive criticism that she should venture alone on her errands because there was no logical reason her friend needed to accompany her. She became really agitated in the review and broke down in tears.

As soon as we were finished, she immediately found her friend and they made a B-line to my boss's office to complain about the appraisal I had just given her.

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Behind every great man is a great woman. Behind every great woman is a great behind.