How biased feedback at work could get you sued

Risk management plays a pivotal role in ensuring organizational success in the world of Human Resources (HR) and performance feedback. It involves identifying, assessing, and mitigating potential threats or uncertainties impacting an organization's goals. HR risk management, specifically, revolves around mapping an organization's risk profile to its employees' knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviors.

In this context, risk management is not just a buzzword; it's a fundamental necessity. Why? Because it helps organizations create and maintain a consistent performance feedback program, identify potential performance risks, recognize top performers, and provide necessary support to those who need it.

It establishes a record of fairness and consistency crucial to employment actions. However, this process has inherent risks, and one of the most significant dangers is bias, which, if left unaddressed, can lead to discrimination lawsuits.

Identifying biases in performance feedback

Organizations must first understand how to recognize and address biases in performance evaluations to manage the risk of biased feedback effectively.

Start by introspecting and taking courses or tests like the Implicit Association Test to check for implicit biases. Additionally, set up systems, processes, procedures, and technologies that identify common biases in performance feedback.

• Halo/Horns Bias: When one good or bad trait overshadows other attributes, leading to an imbalanced assessment.
• Similar-to-Me Bias: Giving higher ratings to individuals who resemble the rater regarding interests, skills, backgrounds, etc., potentially impacting diversity and inclusiveness.
• Confirmation Bias: Interpreting new information to confirm preexisting beliefs, making performance feedback less objective and more subjective.
• Gender Bias: Typically, focusing on personality and attitudes when evaluating women and behaviors and accomplishments when evaluating men.
• Racial Bias: Racial bias refers to the primarily unconscious thoughts, preconceptions, or experiences that cause people to think and act in prejudiced ways.

Legal risks associated with biased performance feedback

The legal risks tied to biased performance feedback are severe, and we've seen numerous court decisions highlighting the potential consequences for companies that don't correctly address biased feedback. These cases show that when performance evaluations are tainted by discrimination, it can damage a company's reputation and cost them dearly, including jury trials, damages, and other legal headaches.

To avoid these pitfalls, employers must get familiar with the laws that protect employees from different forms of discrimination. These laws, like Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) create a solid framework to ensure employees are treated fairly. They say that discriminating based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability is not just wrong; it's illegal in the workplace.

Understanding these laws isn't just a legal requirement; it's about creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and gets the same shot at success, no matter who they are. So, employers and employees need to know and follow these laws to make workplaces fair and inclusive and treat everyone with respect.

Biased feedback can lead to financial losses

Biased feedback can lead to substantial financial consequences for organizations.

A case in point is Coca-Cola, which settled a racial discrimination lawsuit for a staggering $192 million. The case centered on claims that Coca-Cola had created a hostile work environment and perpetuated systemic racial bias. The settlement encompassed financial compensation and a commitment from Coca-Cola to address diversity and inclusion within the organization, including implementing programs to rectify the alleged discrimination issues.

In 2007, Home Depot settled a racial discrimination lawsuit for $87.5 million. The lawsuit alleged racial bias in promotions, compensation, and performance evaluations. It claimed that the company's practices favored white employees over their African American counterparts. The settlement amount reflected financial compensation for affected employees and the company's commitment to implementing diversity and inclusion initiatives to address the alleged discrimination issues. This case serves as a reminder of the potential financial and reputational risks associated with biased performance feedback and the importance of fostering equal employee opportunities.

Biased performance feedback carries several legal risks beyond discrimination lawsuits. Employees receiving such feedback may bring wrongful termination claims, arguing that their dismissal was based on discriminatory or unfair evaluations rather than valid reasons. They could also allege retaliation if they face adverse actions following complaints about biased feedback.

Breach of contract claims may also arise if employment agreements outlining specific evaluation procedures are not followed. False or damaging statements in biased feedback may lead to defamation claims, while those significantly affected may pursue emotional distress claims.

Biased feedback could impact compensation, leading to wage and hour violations. Whistleblower claims might arise if employees reporting illegal activities face retaliation through biased feedback or adverse actions.

Lastly, state and local laws may provide additional safeguards against biased feedback, adding to potential legal risks. Employers can mitigate these risks by ensuring fair, objective, consistent performance evaluations, providing training, and establishing precise mechanisms for addressing feedback-related concerns.

Managing the risk of biased performance feedback.

• Develop meticulously documented performance management programs subject to legal review.
• Offer unconscious bias training to employees to raise awareness.
• Establish transparent and objective evaluation criteria.
• Provide training to ensure staff comprehend and apply these criteria consistently.
• Implement clear rating and scoring scales.
• Continuously assess employee performance throughout the year.
• Incorporate 360-degree reviews for a comprehensive assessment.

Tools for reducing bias

Tools like Textio Lift can be invaluable in minimizing bias within performance evaluations. These tools provide analyses of written feedback, assisting HR teams in effectively addressing potential biases and contributing significantly to overall risk management.

Monitoring and auditing

Sustained monitoring and auditing of performance feedback processes are pivotal components of risk management. Internal audits detect potential risk areas, enabling HR to strategize proactively. This approach helps organizations avoid pitfalls such as attrition, reputational damage, and legal entanglements.

Not only can biased language get you sued, but it can also lead to employee turnover. Biased language in performance feedback falls under low-quality feedback, and employee retention hinges on feedback quality.

Inadequate feedback can trigger a 63% higher likelihood of employees leaving within a year. It fosters uncertainty about performance and expectations, causing disengagement and frustration. A lack of feedback can lead to demotivation and attrition. To keep top talent, providing clear, relevant, and actionable feedback is crucial. Understanding workplace expectations is pivotal; 61% of employees planning to stay at their companies report such clarity, empowering them to excel within organizational parameters.

Managers play a significant role in retention, and the adage "people don't leave jobs; they leave managers" rings true. Poorly rated managers increase the likelihood of employee departures. Improving management skills and providing constructive feedback can change this dynamic. Organizations should foster a culture of high-quality feedback focused on development to tackle this challenge.

Regularly assessing feedback quality and investing in training programs for managers can make a significant difference. Tools like Textio Lift help improve feedback by coaching managers to offer direct, actionable, and unbiased input.

Managing the risk of biased feedback is a legal necessity and a strategic imperative for organizations. Organizations can foster fair and unbiased performance feedback practices by implementing comprehensive risk mitigation strategies, leveraging technological tools, and maintaining ongoing monitoring and auditing processes.

Proactive risk management minimizes legal liabilities and promotes a workplace culture of inclusivity and fairness, ultimately contributing to organizational success.