Understanding Behaviorally Anchored Rating Scales: A Legal Perspective

Definition & Meaning

Behaviorally anchored rating scales (BARS) are a performance appraisal method used to evaluate employee behavior against specific performance levels. This approach merges aspects of critical incident techniques and graphic rating scales. Supervisors utilize BARS to assess employees based on predefined behaviors that exemplify effective and ineffective performance.

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Real-world examples

Here are a couple of examples of abatement:

Example 1: A manager uses BARS to evaluate a sales team's performance. They identify specific successful sales behaviors, such as effective communication and customer follow-up, and rate employees based on these behaviors.

Example 2: A school principal implements BARS to assess teacher performance, focusing on classroom management and student engagement as critical dimensions. (hypothetical example)

Comparison with related terms

Term Description Difference
Graphic Rating Scale A method that uses a numerical scale to rate performance on various traits. BARS includes specific behavior examples, while graphic scales do not.
Critical Incident Technique A qualitative method that focuses on specific instances of effective or ineffective behavior. BARS quantifies these behaviors into a rating scale.

What to do if this term applies to you

If you are involved in performance evaluations or organizational assessments, consider implementing BARS to enhance objectivity and clarity. You can explore US Legal Forms for templates that assist in creating BARS forms tailored to your needs. If your situation is complex, seeking professional legal advice may be beneficial.

Quick facts

  • Typical use: Employee performance evaluation.
  • Jurisdiction: Applicable in various organizational settings.
  • Potential outcomes: Promotions, disciplinary actions, and training needs assessments.

Key takeaways

Frequently asked questions

BARS is designed to provide a clear and objective method for assessing employee performance based on specific behaviors.