Employee Attitudes towards Employee Evaluation Systems in the Utility Sector: A Case Study of Sewage and Water Supply Ltd., Rybnik, Poland

Abstract

Employee evaluations are an extremely important element of human resource management. On the one hand, many studies have confirmed their indispensability, and on the other hand, they have been described as the most controversial elements of management that can lead to many conflict situations in an organization. The present study aimed to assess the attitudes of employees toward employee evaluation systems using the example of PWiK Rybnik (Sewage and Water Supply Rybnik). The municipal sector, and especially water and sewage companies, are characterized by an approach to the provision of services from a natural monopoly perspective. The above situation enforces in the sphere of management certain behaviors towards employees and may affect attitudes towards the employee evaluation system. This study assumed the hypothesis that employee attitudes toward the employee evaluation system are skeptical. A diagnostic survey method with a questionnaire technique was used to verify the hypothesis and answer the formulated research questions. The survey questionnaire consisted of 16 mixed questions, including four to collect anonymous sociodemographic information. The results of the conducted survey were subjected to statistical and descriptive analysis. Based on the analyses performed, it could be concluded that the employees expected constructive feedback from their supervisors, and traditional employee evaluation via a form was often viewed as its negation. Evaluations should also take into account social factors, as people are definitely more motivated and inspired by a constructive conversation than by a form presenting quantitative data.