Performance Feedback & Bias Resources

As the ABA team has been talking with members about our Compelling Offer findings, one trend that is increasingly clear is that arts organizations are re-focusing efforts on performance management and specifically performance reviews.  

Performance reviews were occasionally halted during pandemic closures, but with increased focus on engaging talent with sustainable jobs, institutions are redoubling their efforts to ensure staff get actionable performance feedback.  

One question that a member asked us recently was this: how do we reduce the impact of bias on performance reviews?  

Whether intentional or unintentional, managers can provide feedback that reinforces historic biases, or improperly evaluate staff with those biases in mind.  To support them, we pulled together a quick guide for them to share with staff.

Included in the guide (linked below):

• Specific concerns about bias in performance reviews: where it happens most often

• Key takeaways to reduce bias in reviews and feedback

• Additional reading and resources on bias