Which performance appraisal method compares employees to a predetermined standard?

The performance appraisal method that compares employees to a predetermined standard is indeed the Work Standards Method. This approach involves setting specific performance criteria or benchmarks that employees are expected to meet. The evaluation focuses on whether each employee's performance aligns with these established standards, allowing for objective assessment based on quantifiable metrics.

By utilizing predefined standards, this method ensures that all employees are evaluated against the same criteria, fostering a fair assessment process. This can be particularly useful in roles where performance can be quantitatively measured, such as in manufacturing or sales.

In contrast, other methods like the Paired Comparison and Ranking Method focus on comparing employees to each other rather than against predetermined standards. The Behaviorally Anchored Rating Scale Method, while it does involve predefined items, is more about assessing specific behaviors aligned with performance levels rather than a strict adherence to a standard. Thus, the Work Standards Method is specifically designed to measure performance against set benchmarks rather than relative performance among peers.