Is peer review an option?
There is an overwhelming advantage for all concerned for the reviewer to hold some line management or leadership responsibility for the reviewee. For example, if aspects of an individual’s agreed development plan require a resource commitment and / or prioritisation this will not normally be open to peers to determine. It is recognised, however, that there are departments where their organisational arrangements would require a single reviewer to directly review a large number of reviewees. Practical solutions can be developed to overcome these apparent difficulties provided the fundamental principles of the Annual Review policy are not undermined or ignored. In the first instance, take advice from your Head of Department.
