How can biases affect performance appraisals?

Biases can significantly disrupt the objectivity of performance appraisals. When evaluators allow their personal feelings, stereotypes, or preconceived notions to influence their judgment, it can lead to unfair evaluations of employee performance. For instance, if a manager has a bias against a particular demographic or simply favors some traits over others, they may overlook important performance criteria and instead base their assessment on these biases. This can result in employees receiving ratings that do not accurately reflect their actual performance, thus affecting their career growth and motivation. Recognizing the impact of biases on appraisals is essential to fostering a fair and equitable workplace, where evaluations are based on factual performance standards rather than subjective opinions.