Sub-reports should be generated and used with caution. They identify the mean results for all individual Subjects, averaging all the ratings each received.
Their use may compromise trust in the 360-degree feedback process, depending on how you have positioned the confidentiality of the 360-degree feedback process for Subjects.
For the protection of Subjects' privacy, you can choose whether they will be listed in the Report by name, or by their Subject Access Code (SAC) only. (See the Report Design tab.) When using the SAC, individual identities remain protected from those without a need-to-know.
This information should be interpreted with great caution, as there could be legal implications if used to support termination or disciplinary actions.
In addition to legal considerations, the information in the Group Report, like all data from 360-degree feedback, comes with certain limitations:
- The questionnaire covers only a limited range of topics.
- The 360-degree feedback project is designed to guide individual Subjects, not to provide comprehensive insights for the entire organization.
- Responses reflect the perceptions of a limited number of Responders, who were more or less well-selected.
- Each Subject has a unique panel of Responders, with different expectations, standards, and biases, unlike a situation where all Subjects are evaluated by the same group from a uniform perspective.
- All summaries are based on Responders' perceptions, not on measurable facts.
Therefore, if you encounter low ratings that might prompt action, it's crucial to investigate further. Ensure that your investigation does not inadvertently suggest that a particular Subject is a "problem," as such a label, once attached, can be difficult to overcome.
