Can You Dispute a Bad Performance Review? Your Rights and Next Steps

If you have received poor feedback during a performance review, it can be incredibly demoralising and upsetting, even if you weren’t expecting a glowing report. A negative performance review can seriously impact your self-confidence, job satisfaction, and overall well-being in the workplace.

While it's difficult not to take negative feedback personally, it's important to know that as an employee, you have the right to challenge unfair or inaccurate feedback. Here are some key steps to take when responding to a disappointing performance review.

🧠 Take Time to Reflect on the Feedback

When we receive constructive criticism or negative performance feedback, our natural instinct might be to react emotionally. However, acting on impulse can damage your professional relationships and make things worse.

Instead, give yourself time to process the information. Reflect on whether the feedback is accurate or based on misunderstandings or bias. For example, if you were told you’re “not a team player,” assess your day-to-day behaviour.

• Do you offer help to colleagues?
  
  
• Do you contribute to team meetings or collaborate effectively?
  
  

If there are areas for improvement, consider this a chance to grow. However, if you believe the feedback is inaccurate, vague, or unfair, you are absolutely within your rights to raise your concerns with HR or your line manager.

📋 Request Specific Examples or Additional Information

It’s common to feel overwhelmed or unclear about what was said during a performance review. If the feedback was generalised or vague, ask your manager for concrete examples and clarification.

For instance:

• If your manager says you “make frequent mistakes,” ask for specific incidents and whether these were discussed with you previously.
  
  

If performance concerns were never raised before, it is fair to ask why they are appearing in your formal performance review for the first time.

Clear communication and transparency in performance management are essential. You deserve to understand where the feedback is coming from and how it was evaluated.

🔄 Ask for a Review or Reassessment

If you have received additional context and still feel that the performance review was unfair, you can formally request a review of the outcome. For example:

• If you're told you "lack initiative," but feel micromanaged, discuss this openly.
  
  
• Explain how your manager’s leadership style may be affecting your ability to demonstrate independence.
  

It's important to be respectful and professional, not defensive. Use the opportunity to open a dialogue and improve your working relationship. Remember, many line managers are still developing their management skills, and they may be receptive to your feedback.

Learn what you can from the experience, but don’t hesitate to challenge feedback that is inaccurate, unfair, or unsupported by evidence.

At Inspired CVs, we provide confidential, expert HR advice for employees dealing with negative performance reviews, workplace issues, or career transitions. We can help you understand your rights, prepare for difficult conversations, and take control of your professional future.

📅 Book a consultation for personalised HR support, or contact us to learn more.

📝 Looking for your next opportunity? We also offer professionally written CVs tailored to your skills, experience, and career goals. Order your CV writing service today or reach out to our team for more information.