An appraisal at work is a regular review of an employees job performance and overall contribution to a company. It is a meeting between an individual and their line manager to discuss what they expect from each other and how well those expectations are being met. The purpose of an appraisal is to aid the organizations assessment of the value and productivity that different employees bring and to aid the company’s employees in growing in their respective jobs. Companies use performance appraisals to determine which employees have contributed the most to the company’s growth, review progress, and reward high-achieving workers. Appraisals can benefit both employers and employees by improving job performance, making it easier to identify strengths and weaknesses, and determining suitability for development.

Key features of an appraisal at work include:

• Frequency: Appraisals can be conducted at any given time but tend to be annual, semiannual, or quarterly.
• Process: The manager gathers information on the employee’s performance, typically by questionnaire, from supervisors, co-workers, group members, and self-assessment. Formal appraisals are usually conducted annually, and both employer and line manager should come to the meeting well prepared.
• Goals: The goals of a performance appraisal may vary, but common objectives include improving productivity, motivating employees, providing feedback and promotion opportunities, improving employee confidence, helping employees set goals, recording progress or regression, providing data to aid in management decisions, and helping managers to be better coaches.

Overall, an appraisal at work is an important process that helps both organizations and individuals achieve their goals. It provides individuals with feedback on their job performance, ensuring that employees are managing and meeting the goals expected of them and giving them guidance on how to reach those goals if they fall short.