Performance reviews are a good idea that a lot of workers find confusing. It makes me wonder if they sometimes do more harm than good.

For one thing, people don't understand much of the so-called constructive feedback they get on goals, skills and progress, which is understandable if you've ever seen some of the feedback.

People show me their annual reviews all the time, asking me to interpret what their employer means when they say the person "needs to broaden mutual interdependence" or "should seek work to increase ability to drive results." Beats me what that means.

The other confusion is over what to do with the feedback. What if you don't agree with the review? What if you're required to sign but don't agree with it? Will you be punished?

Bobbie in Tennessee is one of those confused workers. When she saw her manager's evaluation, she was full of questions: "I don't agree with the assessment. Is signing it an admission that I do agree? How will I be treated if I don't sign?"

Let's see if we can clear up some of these issues based on input from Manny Avramidis, global vice president of human resources for the American Management Association.

Q. Do you have to sign an evaluation you don't agree with?

A. Most likely, no. Most companies' policies require two people to witness the fact that an employee received the review and chose to not sign it. You're asked to sign in the first place to confirm that the review took place and that you understand how your supervisor or employer views your performance.

Q: Do you have any recourse if you sign it but don't agree?

A: Most reviews have a "comments" section. If you disagree with the review, you should state the reasons in writing. If your review doesn't have this section, write the reasons you disagree in a separate memo to your supervisor and send a copy to human resources and your supervisor's boss.

Q: What happens next?

A: A meeting should take place to discuss your concerns with human resources, your supervisor or perhaps your supervisor's boss. Who attends the meeting will depend on the reasons you chose not to sign.

Q: Is signing an admission that you agree with everything in it?

A: Generally, no. But look to see if there's a statement on the review that says signing signifies you agree with the review. Whether you choose to sign or not, you should always offer your thoughts in writing.

Q: How will you be viewed and treated if you don't sign?

A: This will of course depend on whether you work for a "properly managed institution," as Avramidis puts it. In such a properly managed organization, you should be viewed objectively and fairly. And if you're not treated that way, the company should have a process that investigates the matter fairly.