Perceptions of procedures
A large proportion of those interviewed were cynical about appraisal and although
they believed that in an ideal world it could be a useful and positive experience, in
reality it was often “no more than a tick box exercise” and was not carried out in a fair
and systematic way. Many expressed a belief that appraisal was often about “whether
your face fitted” and that there had been abuse of procedures “We know it”. Many
managers responsible for administering the performance-related pay systems found
procedures unrealistic and complicated and resented time spent on “paper exercises
which have very little impact on the performance of people”.
The unions were critical of the process and procedures. “It is not objective”.
It was not taken seriously and was open to abuse. “It is never going to be objective”.