ABSTRACT
A reliable system of staff assessment makes a considerable contribution to the efficiency and contentment of staff. The first requirement is that top management should regard staff assessment as important, and should work out a suitable scheme in such intimate co-operation with representatives of all levels that the staff genuinely feel that it is their scheme. Managers and supervisors can be encouraged to take the task of staff assessment seriously by letting it be known that reliable staff assessments will redound to the credit of supervisors and unreliable assessments will correspondingly be noted to their discredit. Recognition of the advantages of two-way communication between supervisors and staff has led to the introduction of staff development schemes. Appraisal interviews are only part of the continuing process of leadership and supervision on the job, but their introduction may well lead to greater insight into the importance of this process.
