The Performance Appraisal Question and Answer Book: A Survival Guide for Managers Paperback – June 14, 2002

I found the book very easy to follow, and the principles and concepts were down-to-earth. The author gives a no-nonsense approach in performance appraisals, using common-sense and throws out all the other HR mumbo-jumbo. He also lays out a good argument for tying the PA to the company's objectives and missions, ideas on employee motivation (forget the "employee of the month" ideas), how to deal with difficult reviewees (those who just don't understand how their performance is bad), and the best way to handle performance planning meetings at the beginning of the year and the importance of these.

A good book within the restricted logic of performance appraisal (PA). Alas, it neglects the many issues that PA has. Raters distort they ratings depending on the consequences of the rating. Formal annual feedback is insufficient to help people improve their performance; PA is not particularly helpful to organizations; no method has improved the reliability, validity, and accuracy of ratings; PA has conflicting purposes (eg., development vs administrative decisions); PA is basically a game of power and control over employees; PA does not take into account recent developments in motivation theory; there is no such thing as performance measurement but judgment of performance which leads to employee defensiveness which in turn makes performance worse and the list goes on and on. So, despite the question and answer format, the fundamental questions are not even brought up.

It is the best book I have ever used regarding performance evaluations!

Books came quickly, but a couple of them had creases (possible from damage in the mail). Would have been better if they had packaged them better, instead of stuff into one envelope.

Has been a great reference for writing quarterly evaluations. Great!

I work for a dept. with a state government and Grote's comprehensive performance management system was implemented several years ago. It works! Takes the indecision, inconsistency, and the bias/subjectivity out of perform. mgt. It is systematic. This text is excellent & thorough. Addresses in practical ways MANY of the problems that mgrs. run into when doing performance evals. (your ratings are defensible when you have a difficult employee). I found that it was easy to read and to apply. It gives you knowledge & confidence. I have "highlighted" throughout this book and refer to it often. It is my Performance Eval. "bible". We also use Grote's Discipline Without Punishment (DWOP) system also. I recommend his book of the same title also. Excellent system. Definitely not "wimpy"! Takes the indecision, inconsistency, and the bias/subjectivity out of office discipline. It is systematic and defensible also.

Good product.