Hello Priya,
I also completely agree with your point that why HR has this added Job responsibility of informing employees about their appraisals indivisually and its confidentiality, inspite they share it with their colleagues the minute they are out of the office premises.
And why only appraisals, even the salary of the employees are meant to be a confidential affair, but yet it has the same story.
What I believe is that if everything is fare and justified, there is no need of hiding anybody's salary or increment.Why an employee should not know what is his colleague in the same job earning and what is his boss getting?
Infact I believe, If an employee is aware of such details about the salary and increments, it makes him aware of his position and knows where he stand in comparison of his colleagues, which in turn give him a motive and reason to work hard and improve. And if he is aware of the salary of his superiors, it again gives him motivation and aspiration to someday reach at the same level which will again make him work more hard.
The only requisite thing here is the right approach within the organization which needs to be developed by the HR Team.
I hope one day there is an organization developed, where everything is fair and justified....and is open for everyone... what would count is only efforts and hard work.
Regards,
Priyanka