What term describes giving undeserved high performance appraisal ratings to an employee?

The term that describes giving undeserved high performance appraisal ratings to an employee is leniency. This practice occurs when a rater consistently evaluates employees or their performance more favorably than is warranted based on their actual performance. Leniency can stem from various factors, such as a desire to maintain a positive relationship with employees, avoid confrontation, or a belief that positive evaluations can motivate better performance.

In performance appraisal systems, leniency is often viewed as detrimental because it can lead to inflated evaluations that do not accurately reflect an employee's true capabilities or contributions. This can subsequently impact decisions related to promotions, salary increases, and professional development, as it may give a misleading impression of an employee's abilities.

Understanding leniency is crucial for implementing fair and effective performance appraisal systems. It highlights the importance of using objective criteria and thorough evaluation processes to ensure that appraisals are accurate and reflect an employee's true performance level.