Performance Appraisals for Improved Productivity

Abstract

Employee performance appraisal is a dynamic and evolving process for many civil engineering firms. As a tool to advance the interests of the civil engineering industry, a survey was conducted in 1981 to find out how various civil engineering firms manage their employee-appraisal programs. This paper summarizes the results of a follow-up survey recently conducted to track new trends in the performance-appraisal process. The findings of the survey were interesting in that many firms felt the employee-appraisal process helped enhance the performance of both the employee and the organization. The survey found that more firms today have formal employee-appraisal programs in place, and the majority of respondents believe appraisals help increase productivity and motivation if handled properly. The survey identified areas of the appraisal process that need to be improved: consistency in the process and timing; improved training; good follow-up; firm commitment from the top management; and more open, sincere discussions.