The results often affect pay raises and even promotion eligibility. With so much at stake, it's no wonder that people get tense. For varied reasons, the process doesn't turn out well. Again and again, we see supervisors procrastinate or just go through the motions, with little taken to heart. And the supervisors who do take it to heart mostly meet disappointment.
Few employees react positively to the experience.
Most employees politely go through the process with little enthusiasm, and a smaller number get defensive and embittered. One reason is its good intentions. Appraisal is intended to facilitate employee coaching and feedback and help employees develop and grow. Ratings seemingly provide an objective way to make pay and promotion decisions. Appraisal also is supposed to ensure that the organization has the legal documentation it needs to fire poor performers.