ABSTRACT
Company appraisal forms vary from the naïve to the sophisticated. The naïve are often completed without reference to any formal appraisal interview; the more sophisticated are usually linked to an interview. The naïve form commenced with a preliminary section on which were recorded such personal details as age, salary, present position and date of appointment, together with the date of appointment to the organisation. Three further sections followed, one headed 'performance rating' but in fact listing mainly personality traits; the second headed 'promotion potential', and the third providing the appraiser with the opportunity to write a free account of the employee's work, his attitudes to the job and any special abilities identified as not being fully used. There was strong agreement by both appraisers and appraisees that it was advantageous for the appraisee to be given the opportunity to send a copy of his notes to the appraiser in advance of the interview.
