Performance appraisal systems and practices

Performance Appraisal: Reliability

It has been observed that sometimes, the most important aspect of success is simply showing up, or being at the right place at the right time. As cliched as this saying may sound to many employer's ears, the importance of reliability when evaluating the quality of an employee must not be underestimated. The ability of an employee to do his or her work on time and to be there at a designated hour is vital in ensuring the success of an organization. Even the most brilliant employee, if erratic, will win few accolades from a client. The perfect advertising campaign for a new toy if developed too late will mean little if the toy's competitors have already secured the traditional seasonal Christmas market share and the public's attention. An employee who strolls in two hours late every morning, even if he or she stays late, sets the tone for the entire office, and causes his or her colleagues to wonder -- 'why shouldn't I push my snooze alarm as well, if X isn't penalized.' If employers do not value reliability, overall workplace morale will plummet, and if employees do not value reliability, the overall efficacy of the company, and the company's very existence may be jeopardized.