Am I the only one who dreads performance reviews for not doing extra work?

Many people feel apprehension about performance reviews, especially when they've been consistently meeting expectations without going above and beyond. It's common to worry about how your contributions will be perceived if you haven't taken on additional tasks outside your core responsibilities. This feeling often stems from a workplace culture that sometimes equates high performance with constant extra effort, rather than consistent, quality work within defined roles.

A 2023 study by Gallup found that only 33% of employees feel engaged at work, suggesting that many are simply doing what is required rather than consistently going above and beyond.

See other perspectives

Does everyone dread performance reviews for not doing extra?

Does Everyone?

Is it normal to dread performance reviews when not doing 'extra' work?

Is It Normal?

<h1>Is it weird to dread performance reviews for not doing extra?</h1>

Is It Weird?

Why do I dread performance reviews when I don't do extra work?

Why Do I?

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I explain not doing extra work in my performance review?▾
Focus on the quality and impact of the work you did complete within your defined role. Highlight how you met or exceeded expectations on your core responsibilities and contributed effectively to team goals. You can also mention any improvements in efficiency or problem-solving within your existing tasks.
Is it bad if I only do my job description?▾
No, it's not inherently bad to focus solely on your job description. Consistently performing your core duties well is valuable and essential. The expectation for 'extra' work often depends on company culture and the specific role, but meeting your stated responsibilities is the primary measure of success.
What if my manager asks why I didn't volunteer for more projects?▾
You can explain that your focus was on ensuring high-quality output for your current projects and responsibilities. You might mention that you prioritized delivering excellent results within your existing workload. If appropriate, you could express willingness to consider additional projects in the future, if workload permits.

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