The Performance Appraisal Question and Answer Book: A Survival Guide for Managers

A practical, question-and-answer style guide in which performance-management expert Dick Grote answers more than one hundred of the most common and difficult questions managers face about employee performance appraisals, turning a dreaded process into a productive management tool.

The Performance Appraisal Question and Answer Book: A Survival Guide for Managers is designed to help supervisors and HR professionals navigate the often-uncomfortable world of performance reviews. Recognizing that many managers dislike conducting appraisal discussions and feel unsure about how to assess employees fairly, Dick Grote structures the book around more than one hundred real-world questions drawn from his consulting work.

Addressing issues such as how to respond when an employee becomes emotional or angry in a review, how to balance results with the way work is accomplished, and what makes an appraisal form truly useful, Grote offers straightforward guidance that is both practical and legally conscious. Many entries include special “hot tips” and “red flags” that highlight best practices and warn against common pitfalls. Overall, the book aims to make performance appraisal a clearer, more consistent process that supports both organizational goals and employee development.