It is good that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is taking steps to open up its performance appraisal system to its employees (“RBI opts for best HR practices”, May 3). It is hoped that it will make the system really transparent, as is the case in other enlightened organisations.
An open appraisal starts with mutual goal-setting between the appraisee and the appraiser followed by a self-appraisal by the former at the end of the period. A candid and open-minded performance-review discussion between the two resulting in a mutually-drawn action-plan forms the core of the system and determines its credibility in the eyes of the appraisees.
Having an interview to decide promotions has limitations. It raises the question: What will the interview help discover in a short time that the committee could not during the long time that the employee has been working?
Y G Chouksey, Pune
