This document discusses performance appraisals and managing employee performance. It outlines several key purposes of performance appraisals including providing feedback to employees, documenting performance, making compensation and promotion decisions, and setting goals. It also discusses different methods for conducting performance appraisals such as rating scales, essays, management by objectives, and critical incidents. Common errors in performance ratings like leniency, central tendency, and recency are also examined. The document provides guidance on conducting effective performance appraisal interviews.