Performance Appraisal

Performance appraisal form summarizes the employee’s contributions over the appraisal period. It may occur as often as the manager believes is necessary to acknowledge the employee for accomplishments and to plan together for improved performance. Performance appraisal is a process of summarizing, assessing and developing the work performance of an employee. In order to be effective and constructive, the performance manager should make every effort to obtain as much objective information about the employee’s performance as possible.

Benefits of Performance Appraisal

An annual performance appraisal is an indicator that your employer cares about your well-being and career satisfaction. The Center for Association Leadership stresses that the review should focus on the performance and development of the employee and should hold the employer and employee accountable for results. Benefits for the employee include understanding the reasoning behind human resource decisions regarding salary, promotions and work assignments, as well as the opportunity to request development opportunities in the form of training or an expanded work role. The employee may receive recognition for accomplishments and has the opportunity to set goals for the future. According to Archer North, employees prefer negative recognition over no recognition at all.

For the organization, the performance appraisal can fortify corporate goals and provide information for sound human resource planning regarding training, promotions, work assignments, and recruitment. It can assist in matters of conflict by documenting instances of discrimination or employee grievance. Improved morale among staff may result, and according to Stephen P. Robbins, author of “Organizational Behavior,” the process positively affects productivity if the correct evaluative criteria are used.

Maximizing Performance Appraisal Benefits

Giving negative feedback is as unpleasant for the deliverer as it is for the receiver, but it is a valuable staff management tool. According to an article in “Forbes,” dated July 2012, a study showed that 85 percent of companies found performance appraisals were effective. For the employee, use them to your advantage. Whether it is as an opportunity to chat with your reviewer, or a path to career development, approaching it with a relaxed attitude will help you to walk away feeling that it was time well spent.