Ethical Performance Evaluations

Performance appraisal is an important issue in human resource management and has a significant effect in the performance of an organisation. It is the system of evaluating the performance of employees regarding the accomplishment of their responsibilities and determining their potential to grow and develop. Bias in the evaluation process can affect the accuracy and appropriateness of the performance appraisal. Bias is a serious issue because it affects the ability to make appropriate decisions about the promotion of employees. A performance appraisal system that works to the disadvantage of members of a group can also pose legal issues.

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.

Not only does this provide the employee with an opportunity to be of greater use to an organization, the employee feels pleased and valued. Even the most valuable employee could benefit from additional training, while those who are closer to retirement need the refresher. Employers should be specific during performance appraisals by providing examples and clearly explain what needs to occur to turn things around. Showing an employee that you care enough about them by taking the time to work with them may make even the most hardened employee feel better. (Busse, 2014)

Although performance cannot be judge alone with 360-degree assessment, it provides a commentary aspect that will assist an organization in Leadership Development and Succession Planning. Including the 360-degree appraisal in the performance management process will provide a broader perspective about an employee’s performance and detail to annual appraisal. In addition, the technique facilitates greater self-development for an employee. Moreover, it enables an employee to compare his or her self- evaluation about performance with the perceptions of others.

What are performance appraisals? Simply put, they are the evaluation of goals that are pre-determined and set by both the employee and organization (Harvard Business Press, 2009). They are used to measure an employee’s performance and team performance.

There are some times when there is no choice but to make decisions with possible ethical consequences at some point in any human services career when an ethical dilemma is faced. If one chooses not to make a decision, it is a decision itself (Keith-Spiegel & Koocher , 2010).

The purpose of a performance appraisal is to be used to improve employee performance. It should be used as a guide for recognizing outstanding behavior that is in line with departmental policies and work objectives, but should also be used as a tool for feedback to improve observed employee deficiencies. Performance appraisals should never be a surprise when it is presented to the employee. It is important for subordinates to understand what they are being evaluated on and what it takes to be successful.

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.

159). The evaluation process provides employees the opportunity to give a self-appraisal. Through these appraisals, an employee could justify a salary increase. It is also the time to discuss future plans, goals, aspirations, and career growth. Together with Laura, an employee would decide on goals and objectives for the next review period (Southwell, 2015, Unit 4). In the article “A Discourse Analytical Perspective on the Professionalization of the Performance Appraisal Interview,” the authors discuss how performance appraisal interviews between managers and their employees can resemble a therapy or counseling session (Van De Mieroop & Vrolix, 2014, p. 160). “Performance appraisal, in general, and performance appraisal interviews, in particular, were once rather basic communication processes, but nowadays institutions and organizations increasingly invest resources in them and this results in a growing professionalization of this genre” (Van De Mieroop & Vrolix, 2014, p.

Assessment is the on-going review by a line manager of the work an employee or a team has performed that is measured against expected outcomes. It is a two way communication channel that gives a shared understanding of what is to be achieved, it provides an opportunity to get employees to buy in to the process. It is a useful tool that can highlight development needs. It can highlight good practice, and bad practice and if there are deficiencies in the process, on either side. This means there is an opportunity to recognise achievement and where problems are identified, how these can be

Performance evaluations are a very important part of a business organization and places promotion and retain ability in the hands of the worker. According to Robbins and Judge,” Evaluations provide input into important decisions such as promotions, transfers, and terminations. Evaluations also identify training and development issues.”(pg.595 2009). There are several different theories and ways to conduct performance evaluations such as behaviorally anchored rating scales (BARS), critical incidents, graphic rating scales, Forced comparison, group order rankings and individual ranking. Each of these systems can be used on their own for ranking employee performance but some organizations use a combination of systems.

Performance Management Within the Workplace The basis of the mainstream of performance appraisals within the modern workplace is one person (a manager or executive) rating one more, an intrinsically individual process. There are distinction such as 360 degree appraisals that include the judgment of others such as clientele and peers/colleagues in the process but it is the action of one person transitory judgment upon another that is subjective in nature and the root cause of many of the problems encountered in the research associated with performance appraisals. Performance appraisals are of importance to the organisation, as they often provide the only measure of an individual's contribution and

360 degree feedback system as a performance evaluation tool as long as the understanding of its intent is understood. “There are three key steps in the successful implementation of 360 degree feedback systems in an organization. The three steps are that it must fit the organizations culture, make it psychometrically sound, and used with care” (“Best Practices”, 2012). It is also important to train the feedback providers to be sensitive, respectful and polite. Treating employees in a friendly and respectful manner and offering constructive advice will make them more open to accepting the performance

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.

Today, performance appraisal is used for developmental and motivational purposes in the organization. It is not a stand still evaluation activity, but a dynamic process which should be viewed as follows- planning the employee’s performance and evaluation, and improving the performance of employees. The process brings the new concept Performance Management. Performance Management is essential for today’s organization to integrate the management goals and employees performance. It is a system for integrating the management of organization and employee performance in order to support and improve organization’s overall business goals.