Employee Evaluations: Is a Single Annual Month Better Than Individual Anniversary Dates?

Advantages and Disadvantages of Conducting Evaluations in a Specific Month

Please, I want your opinion on the advantages and disadvantages of conducting evaluations for all employees in a specific month of the year. Why is it better than performing evaluations for each employee on their joining date annually?

I appreciate your help.

Thank you.

Regards.

Hi,

Making performance appraisals in a specific month of the year is better than conducting performance appraisals on the employee's joining date.

Advantages:
1. We can understand the actual competency of the employee.
2. We can identify deviations between the employee's actual performance and job requirements.
3. It helps determine whether the employee requires any training.
4. It is easier to assess the employee's efficiency level and areas of interest.
5. Performance appraisals aid in decisions regarding employee promotion, transfer, or demotion.
6. Setting new standards for the job becomes more manageable.
7. Understanding employee strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats helps in determining the most suitable job for the employee.
8. Performance appraisals assist in determining performance-based pay.
9. It aids in maintaining better control over job performance and achieving organizational objectives.

Disadvantages:
1. Time-consuming.
2. Costly.

Thanks,
Reshma.

Reshma has provided a good list of advantages. However, it should be noted that the same advantages can be experienced regardless of whether the appraisal is on an annual (specific month of the year) or anniversary (joining date of the employee) basis.

Conducting an appraisal based on an anniversary basis creates a massive administrative hassle for all stakeholders, especially HR. The common industry practice is to have at least one formal appraisal at the financial year-end and another mid-year informal appraisal just to ensure that employees' performance is on track.

Regards,
Autumn Jane