Self-appraisal system

In a move that may give deserving, dedicated staff their due, the Punjab Government has introduced self-appraisal system for all its employees. The process would particularly matter at the time of promotion.

Earlier, only a select group of employees used to fall under the system. But now, every staffer would have to fill the appraisal form -- in not more than 100 words -- to be subsequently forwarded to the superior official who would add his evaluation (of the employee).

According to sources, the self-appraisal report would now be part of the ACR (annual confidential report), which would help in better assessing an employee. At the time of writing of the ACR, the superior official would have to ensure that the self-appraisal report has been duly filled. In the appraisal document, the employees would have to pen down a brief account of the duty performed and the important assignments handled by them during a particular period.

Subsequently, the superior authority would have to evaluate the self-appraisal report, add his remarks in the form of grades and then okay the ACR. The official would have to mention in Punjabi what kind of work the employee concerned had been doing and how was the quality of the task performed. A few words would also have to be added about the sense of responsibility and attitude towards work.

While the system already exists in most of the private organisations across the country, some universities in Punjab, too, had introduced it, though the practice did not find many takers.

Notably, the step holds significance in view of the fact that certain employees used to get “outstanding” and “very good” remarks from their superior authorities only by resorting to sycophancy or by handling their personal chores.