Appraisal | Meaning and Definition

What is Appraisal? 

In a company, an appraisal is a procedure that rigorously reviews employees’ work and validates their accomplishments by increasing their salaries or awarding incentives. Typically conducted once a year, this process involves evaluating employees’ abilities and achievements, while also addressing their future growth objectives. However, depending on the company’s regulations, some organizations may conduct assessments more than once a year.

As a result of this approach, workers gain a better understanding of their value within the organization and their contributions to their roles. This process is critical for staff development. The HR department decides whether the performance review system will be formal or informal, and the format of these evaluations can vary significantly from one firm to another.

 Process

Moreover, appraisals are an excellent way to recognize and reward employees, ensuring they receive acknowledgment for their efforts. By assessing performance and progress toward objectives, companies can decide whether to reward employees with salary increases, promotions, or bonuses. An appraisal also provides an opportunity to express gratitude and deliver constructive feedback. It’s important to note that rewards do not always have to be monetary. While competitive pay is essential and should be regularly reviewed to align with performance, simple and heartfelt acknowledgments can also keep employees engaged. Ultimately, appraisals are one of the most effective ways to incentivize better work and retain the company’s top talent.

360 degree performance appraisal

Types of Appraisal

Nowadays, organization use various methods to evaluate employee performance, each portraying different purposes and fitting different company end goals and cultures. Here are some common types of appraisals:

Self-Appraisal:

 Employees monitor and assess their own performance, reflecting on their achievements, strengths, and areas for improvement. This type encourages self-awareness, motivation and personal accountability.

Peer Appraisal:

Co-workers at the same level evaluate each other’s performance, offering insights from those who work closely together and can identify strengths or challenges that managers might overlook.

360-Degree Feedback:

This progressive method gathers feedback from multiple sources, including managers, peers, subordinates, and sometimes even clients or customers. It provides a holistic view of an employee’s performance.

Managerial Appraisal:

A direct supervisor or manager evaluates the employee’s performance. As one of the most traditional and widely used methods, it focuses on meeting objectives and overall job performance.

Project Appraisal:

Organizations use this type to evaluate the performance of employees working on specific projects. It emphasizes outcomes and contributions made during the project.

Behavioral Appraisal: 

This method evaluates employee behaviors and attitudes, rather than just outcomes, making it particularly useful in environments where team dynamics and workplace culture are critical.

Sales Performance Appraisal:

Designed for sales teams, this method assesses employees based on their sales results, client management, and contribution to revenue goals.

Critical Incident Appraisal: 

Managers document specific incidents of particularly good or poor performance, which are then discussed during this phenomenon. This method focuses on specific examples rather than overall performance.

Objectives and Key Results (OKRs):

This type aligns employee performance with the company’s strategic goals. Employees are evaluated based on their progress toward specific, measurable objectives.

Management by Objectives (MBO):

Similar to OKRs, this method involves setting specific goals with the employee at the beginning of the appraisal cycle, which are reviewed at the end to determine success.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Appraisal is the the act of examining someone or something in order to judge their qualities, success, or needs.

Appraisals are meetings set up by your employer that allow you both to discuss your work performance.

In appraisal the employee meet and discuss the employee’s performance in comparison to the expectations of the company. Promotion – the employee is being elevated from one position to a new position with more responsibility.

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