CODESP Performance Evaluation and Appraisal 2

Question 1

Which appraisal error occurs when a supervisor's rating of an employee is influenced by comparing that employee to the previous person rated?

Accepted Answer

Contrast effect

Answer

The contrast effect causes ratings to be distorted upward or downward depending on the performance level of the person rated immediately before.

Question 2

A probationary period performance review in the public sector is primarily used to:

Accepted Answer

Assess whether a new hire meets standards before gaining permanent status

Answer

Probationary reviews allow agencies to evaluate new employees against job standards before granting civil service protections and permanent status.

Question 3

The 'critical incident' method of performance evaluation requires supervisors to:

Accepted Answer

Record specific examples of notably effective or ineffective behaviors throughout the rating period

Answer

Critical incident documentation involves logging specific behavioral events that represent the extremes of performance, providing concrete evidence for ratings.

Question 4

Recency error in performance appraisal occurs when:

Accepted Answer

A supervisor bases ratings primarily on events close to the evaluation date

Answer

Recency error causes the appraisal to reflect only recent events rather than the entire evaluation period, distorting the overall performance picture.

Question 5

Which principle is MOST important to ensure legal defensibility of a performance appraisal system?

Accepted Answer

Appraisals must be based on job-related, observable criteria

Answer

Courts have consistently held that appraisals must be grounded in job-relevant, observable criteria to withstand legal challenges under Title VII and ADA.

CODESP - Cooperative Organization for the Development of Employee Selection Procedures Practice Test

CODESP - Cooperative Organization for the Development of Employee Selection Procedures Practice Test

CODESP Performance Evaluation and Appraisal 2