Performance Appraisals - Do we need them?

[The_Big_K]

A good bunch of CEans have gone through company performance appraisals. While each one of us has our own share of good/bad experiences associated with performance appraisals, I think it would be worth knowing what each one of us feels about appraisals.

Do you think performance appraisals are a must? Share your thoughts with the rest of us!

[mayurpathak]

They are must. But most of them are murkier than being happier. At the end it leaves you like this

[The_Big_K]

Originally Posted by mayurpathak

They are must. But most of them are murkier than being happier. At the end it leaves you like this

Bah! That's my point! Most organizations follow the pyramid hierarchy. The result is that there are more unhappy people than happy people after every performance appraisal

So, if more people are unhappy - why not just replace the performance appraisals with something that makes more people happy.

[Ayan]

A B C D E F G H I J K L

M N O P Q R S T U V

[The_Big_K]

Sorry Ayan, Ignoring warnings doesn't help. Have a great life.

[kidakaka]

I have seen some of these appraisals happen and also being "planned". A lot of times, the particular department gets only a certain no. of promotions to be handed out (because the entire grading is to be fit to the bell curve of normalcy) ... due to this idiocy, a top performing department will have more no. of workers (who feel that they have received the unfair deal) feeling disgruntled than a normal dept.

I would suggest that keep appraisals on, but take out the bell curve effect.

[gohm]

Yes, they are a great asset to let one know their strengths and areas of improvement. Not only should employees receive them from their managers, I think the managers should receive them from their employees as well. I do not believe they should be directly linked to pay.

[The_Big_K]

Originally Posted by gohm

Yes, they are a great asset to let one know their strengths and areas of improvement. Not only should employees receive them from their managers, I think the managers should receive them from their employees as well. I do not believe they should be directly linked to pay.

360 degree appraisals!

I haven't experienced the 360 degree appraisals. Are they really effective?

Btw, has anyone here read "Maverick" by Ricardo Semler? I guess they don't have appraisals at Semco!

[mayurpathak]

I'm one of the victims of the bell curve effect. That is sheer bull shit. But again, the company is right in a way. Because the appraiser is different for different people. So in order to declare some top performers, people like me are bound to take a beating, despite performing

Even I haven't heard any thing about 360 degree appraisals. Would like to know more.

[The_Big_K]

Well well, the world is full of appraisal victims

I think we're discussing a serious issue over here. People aren't happy with appraisal system yet they think its necessary. Well, let's think something totally different.

Just few ideas -

1. Company with no appraisal system.
2. Company with 'team appraisals' [no individual appraisals].
3. Company with no hierarchy. How cool

Anything innovative, fellas?