Dear Cindy – The Unexpected Bad Performance Review

I've held my job as a medical secretary for a large medical department for just over one-and-a-half years. My contract is for two years, but is renewable. About three months ago, a new supervisor was hired. I just received my performance review from her and it was terrible – she doesn't recommend that the hospital recontract me. I was shocked, since the evaluation from my old supervisor was good, and I have recent references from doctors in this department that tell me that they're very pleased with my work. What should I do?

Sincerely,

Shocked

It's good that you've already started collecting references, because you have evidence showing a history of good work to back up your position. What you should do is continue the paper trail: Write a polite letter to your supervisor expressing your surprise at the contents of the evaluation, based on your previous evaluation and the recent references from doctors (attach copies of these to your letter). Conclude the letter by telling her that you look forward to discussing the matter with her. The ball will be in her court, as the saying goes. What you have to do next, if anything, depends on how she responds.