There are times when Katherine evaluates her staff as she makes her daily rounds. Which of the following is not a benefit of conducting an informal appraisal?
A. The staff member is observed in a natural setting.
B. Incidental confrontation and collaboration are allowed.
C. The evaluation is focused on objective data systematically.
D. The evaluation may provide valid information for the compilation of a formal report.
Correct Answer: C. The evaluation is focused on objective data systematically.
Collecting objective data systems can not be achieved in an informal appraisal. It is focused on what actually happens in the natural work setting. Informal appraisals give an employee a more current, ongoing perspective on performance. It helps avoid delivering positive or negative surprises in a formal review, which is important for internal communication. The manager also has the ability to motivate better performance and stem problems quickly. A drawback of informal evaluations is that the manager doesn’t plan for them as with a formal review.
Option A: Informal appraisals occur when a manager provides significant feedback and direction to an employee outside of a formal review meeting. Consistent, informal feedback is important to build rapport with employees and to coach them in an ongoing manner.
Option B: A contrast to immediate praise is immediate criticism or negative feedback. This approach is applied when you spot an employee making a mistake, making a poor decision, or simply underperforming. Similar to positive feedback, the immediacy of constructive criticism is important. You need to address the undesirable behavior right away so the employee knows the specifics of the incident at the moment.
Option D: A positive version of informal appraisal feedback occurs when a manager notices an employee performing well, overcoming an obstacle, or achieving a goal, and offers praise. The point is to immediately reinforce the desired behavior or achievement so that the employee is compelled to perform in a similar or better way going forward.