Ethical dilemmas in performance appraisal revisited

Journal of Business Ethics 9 (12):961 - 969 (1990)
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Abstract

In managers' dynamic, real-world environments, they often feel it is necessary to exercise some creative discretion over employee ratings. Most managers do not describe their ratings of subordinates in performance appraisals as completely honest or accurate. The inaccuracy is often in the form of inflated ratings. They justify the inaccuracy by sighting, among other things, the need to avoid confrontation with subordinates, damaging working relationships, and creating permanent written documents which may later harm a subordinate's career. Many of these motives are not only well intentioned, but are designed to enhance individual, unit, and organizational performance (some of the ultimate objectives of performance appraisal systems.) This paper examines the ethics of this sort of deliberate manipulation of performance appraisal systems. It suggests that at the organizational level, performance appraisal is usually seen as an end in itself, and a formalist ethical critique is applied. At the managerial level, performance appraisal is usually seen as a means to an end, and a utilitarian critique is applied. Since both perspectives are essential, we conclude that a Janus-Headed analysis is needed. We suggest some duties and obligations for both the organization and the manager engaged in performance appraisal.

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Citations of this work

The ethics of talent management.Stephen Swailes - 2012 - Business Ethics, the Environment and Responsibility 22 (1):32-46.
The ethics of talent management.Stephen Swailes - 2012 - Business Ethics: A European Review 22 (1):32-46.

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References found in this work

Is business bluffing ethical?Albert Z. Carr - forthcoming - Essentials of Business Ethics.
Business managers and moral sanctuaries.Armin Richard Konrad - 1982 - Journal of Business Ethics 1 (3):195 - 200.
Bluffing: Its demise as a subject unto itself.John Beach - 1985 - Journal of Business Ethics 4 (3):191 - 196.
The ethics of corporate governance.E. Eugene Arthur - 1987 - Journal of Business Ethics 6 (1):59 - 70.

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