Developing a Performance Appraisal System

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.

An effective performance appraisal system supports our desire to create a productive, motivated, accountable, reliable, creative, dedicated, and happy workforce.

The processes demonstrates a commitment to people within the business by showing them that they are valued members of the company and their success is important to the entire organization.

A performance appraisal is one of the most important factors in any organization and can be one of the greatest tools used to record employee production. Every organization has to have goals and objectives established and the employee has to be involved in this process. By conducting performance appraisal will improve productivity and also the morale of the employees.

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.

An effective performance appraisal system strives for as much precision in defining and measuring performance dimensions as is feasible. Some of the major problems with the Darby appraisal system are:

Within my setting a process we use to monitor, evaluate the performance of individuals and teams is appraisals. “All contracted staff should receive some sort of appraisal with their line manager” Daly M el al (2004 p.2070). Appraisals are good process for both managers and the staff team to openly discuss performances and quality of production and output at work. “Appraisals are regular meetings between employers and subordinate, providing a non-threatening routine occasion when work standards cam be discussed and suggestions for improvement can be jointly decided”. Sadek and Sadek (2004 p.134). To carry out a successful appraisal there is a few stages to make sure that all the correct

“Performance appraisal is the process through which employee performance is assessed, feedback is provided to the employee, and corrective action plans are designed.” (Youssef, 2012). Performance appraisals can be very effective, by doing them carefully it will improve employee performance. Consistency with the evaluations is an important part of the process. During the evaluation express positive and negative accomplishments from the employee by using examples. Use goals, job related data that support ratings and focus on outcomes the employee can control and work towards. List specific areas the employee can improve on. Also it is important to compliment and show your appreciation to the employee.

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.

The reasons provided for failure in performance management versus performance appraisal discipline gap, accountability, measurement scarcity or overload, lack of balance and failure to assess impact. “There are two primary purposes of performance appraisal: evaluative and developmental. The evaluative purpose is intended to inform people of their performance standing. The collected performance data are frequently used to reward high performance and to punish poor performance.” (Smither, 2009) The developmental purpose is intended to identify problems in employees performing the assigned task. The collected performance data are used to provide necessary skill training or professional development. “The purpose of performance appraisal must be clearly communicated both to raters and rates, because their reactions to the appraisal process are significantly different depending on the intended purpose. Failure to inform about the purpose or misleading information about the purpose may result in inaccurate and biased appraisal reports.” (Cascio, 1998)

shown marked improvement or progress. Lack of personal performance growth would result in consequences for the employee including a probationary period or dismissal. Personal conflicts between manager and employee should not be reflected in the appraisal process. Manager accountability would be reflected by the performance of the employee; hence, an ineffective manager could as easily be discovered through the process as an ineffective employee could be. The process would actually be a system of checks and balances. Ideally, this would promote team players and identify any weak links. The goal of performance appraisals is utilizing the employee’s performance and their behavior or attitude. With correct implementation, the attitude and behavior will not be the issue or focus of the manager. “For any performance improvement to take place, both parties must agree that improvement is necessary, that a plan for improving performance has been jointly formulated, and that periodic progress improvement sessions will take place, as needed. Thus, improvements in employee performance and attitudes can truly be enhanced.” (Peggy Anderson, 1998)

According to Rebecca Saunders Effective Performance Appraisal when adjective are clear and set by both employees and manager together, and when they join monitor growth toward them, accurate and fair appraisals can also be guaranteed. The work of the employees gets well recognized for well job and gets recognition for poor performers learn all about different issues become out of control within the organization. However, it really do not matter what type of appraisal method or system you use, having a understanding of the support and successful appraisals this will help have its focus on all the positive, increasing the performances of all the employees within the organization as a whole.

On the other hand, poor performance, or mediocre performance may lead to negative appraisals and consequences, including job termination or withholding of bonuses, awards, and promotions. Performance appraisals are a systemic means of ensuring quality of work performance, and thus achieving the strategic objectives and advancing the goals of the organization. These performance appraisals, in order to be effective, must be applied in a uniform, objective, fair and consistent manner over time. In addition, the expectations of the performance appraisal must be clearly understood and agreed upon by the supervisor and the employee. Objectivity and fairness in the appraisal system build trust in the organization as well as high morale among employees.

According to Zweig (1991), performance appraisal instruments are tools that are used to measure the performance of employees in the workplace. They are used to put employees up against one another or a predetermined standard, and the appraiser is required to give an evaluation. Practical and effective performance appraisal instruments are drafted when the company has already clarified its philosophy and performance management system. It is also imperative that the performance appraisal instruments are calculated accurately, and that the supervisors are empowered to produce

To determine the speed at which tools and mechanisms or models of performance appraisal have been implemented at the University of Sharjah