Evaluation Of An Appraisal Form

An appraisal is one of the most commonly used methods of formal assessment and is used to evaluate and assess the performance of an employee against agreed targets and objectives, with the aim of improving employee performance. Where an employee has been able to achieve their targets, the appraisal can be used to recognise successes. This often helps to increase an employee’s confidence and motivation and can lead to better organisational performance. Many organisations will use the outcomes of an appraisal to identify potential candidates for promotions or even an increase in pay. At the same time, an appraisal meeting may include discussions on underperformance, identifying why this has occurred and how this can be avoided in the future.

Performance appraisal is a method which is increasingly used to evaluate employees to determine the degree to which they are performing effectively and encourage them to direct their energies towards organizational performance. Although the appraisal is being practiced, there are criticisms made against the system which generally arise from within the Orthodox and radical management frame work.

Development of a performance appraisal system that is effective in a human service organization is of benefit for the organization and the employees. For a performance appraisal system to be effective, the system has to be strategic, designed to fit the specific needs of the organization, non-discriminatory, non-bias, with correct implementation and administration. Many different components, must to be incorporated to make this type of system beneficial for all who use it, and all who are evaluated by the system.

A commanding performance evaluation is obtained from several different resources. A proper evaluation is not issued only from management but also with input from peers and subordinates. It is also not uncommon to have customers; both internal and external contribute to the appraisal process. Self-appraisal is also an effective tool for appraisal as it can assist with establishing goals for the future. This type of 360º degree appraisal process can provide a complete assessment of the employee’s strengths and weaknesses. Often times, this type of appraisal process can assist to identify area of concern that traditionally would not have been recorded. All evaluations should be recognized for their source. A self evaluation may be slightly biased and not overly critical where an appraisal from a peer could be affected by the employee’s willingness to properly cooperate with the process. The self evaluation has a tendency not to be objective in relation to the requirements of the position. An affective self evaluation must be based on the requirements of the position and not based on the judgment of the individual performing the activity.

Performance evaluations, when implemented properly, act as a tool for improving employee productivity, team performance and individual development. They can serve to raise self-esteem, increase motivation, strengthen relationships and foster ongoing communication and commitment (Simpson, 2001). I feel that these reviews play a critical role in the workplace and should remain a part of standard operating procedures, however many are beginning to disagree.

Performance reviews have often been considered a necessary evil of working in the corporate world. They provide a set of standards by which employees can be measured, for use in deciding who gets promoted, who gets the bonus, and who gets put on the dreaded performance improvement plan. Employee evaluations have been used for centuries, across all business sectors…but are they truly improving performance? In the article, The Push Against Performance Reviews, Vauhini Vara posits that performance reviews have outlived their usefulness.

At too many organizations, the performance appraisal has degenerated into a mere formality. Employers and employees are jointly complicit, dutifully sitting across from one another but simply going through the motions, ticking off goals and targets achieved over the past 12 months, those that weren’t, and a new set of goals and targets for the next 12 months. As performance management tools, these by-the-numbers appraisals don’t hold much value for most companies, and they do little to raise employee engagement, commitment or satisfaction levels. However, rather than simply abandoning performance appraisals altogether, as some have implied, a growing number of employers are turning around this state of affairs. They’re reinventing performance reviews and reaping substantial rewards.

Performance appraisal is an evaluation and grading exercise undertaken in organizations to achieve several objectives such as employee motivation, identification of training needs, rewards and remuneration, employee development through feedback etc. [Fig. 1]. All methods for performance appraisal have several advantages and disadvantages based on location of the firm, socio-economic environment, vision and mission of the firm, organizational structure and other factors. Organizations in different industrial sectors may have different focus areas of work and different values and thus, expectations from employees vary across sectors.

First, we need to ask what performance appraisals are. They are “The identification, measurement and management of human performances within an organization.” (GOMEZ-MEJIA, 2010) Performace appraisals are popular and used world wide to measure personal and team performace. Performance management has increased with the gripping economy and having less to do more. Managers have always thought of optimal performance, yet a poorly written performce appraisal has a devistating impact on the employee, the manager, and the company.

Performance appraisals benefit the company in a variety of ways. On the flip side, they can also create difficulties if they aren’t completed correctly. Many problems within the company can arise when supervisors haven’t been properly trained on appraisals. On a bigger note, companies can also be placed in legal trouble if appraisals are done incorrectly. To avoid these issues, the Human Resource Department needs implement training to the supervisors who conduct performance appraisals.

Performance reviews are designed to both evaluate general performance and measure progress around specific goals. Both negative and positive aspects are incorporated in these reviews as they should serve as a point of reference to both look back in evaluation and ahead in anticipation. Pulling back from daily demands in order to assess and review employee performance allows managers to focus their attention on specific departments and clarify what is high priority to their company. Performance reviews also act as an opportunity to acknowledge working staff and identify professional development which will further support the staff members’ career growth. Reviews are seen as a powerful tool that can be tied to a company’s overall success;

The annual performance review process has been a festering thorn in managers sides for years. Most managers have gone out of their way to avoid them. On many occasions, both managers and subordinates have felt that performance evaluations were nothing but a huge waste of time. According to Little, the biggest problem with the performance evaluation process is that managers haven not been properly trained to conduct annual reviews (2013). Performance levels and feedback should be constantly documented and briefed to employees throughout the year. This will help reduce unwanted stress and prevent subordinates from being surprised by an unexpected rating at the end the reporting period. The purpose of this paper is to explain some of the reasons why managers despise performance evaluations. It will also address some of the pitfalls of poor preparation during the evaluation process. Finally, ways to improve the performance evaluation process will be discussed so that everyone benefits in the end. Now that you know the topic of discussion for today, let us take a look at some of the reasons why managers dislike performance evaluation process.

“Performance appraisals can enhance employee performance as well as advance the mission and goals of an organization. There are many advantages of performance appraisals if they are applied fairly, consistently and objectively. Performance appraisals not applied fairly can be counterproductive and even destructive to

As today’s businesses continue to expand, workers are expected to perform well on their jobs. This is what truly happened to management who has a tendency to measure how well they are doing on their job. The job done in a certain period of time is frequently evaluated by performance appraisal. Performance appraisals lead to enhancing employee’s performance, internal communication (relationship), and quality improvements as well. Some experts argue that formal performance appraisal is somewhat useless and many of them contemplate performance appraisals can be detrimental to quality improvement and convey some negative perceptions to the management (David Law, 2007). Albeit many professionals pointed out disadvantages associated

Despite not being looked upon unfavorably by employees, performance appraisal systems have become common place in businesses today as a way for the employees and managers to determine if an employee is accomplishing their assigned duties and tasks. It is designed as a vehicle to convey what is expected of the workers and supervisors as well as establish standards of achievement (Lawler, Benson, & McDermott, 2012).