What is a recency error in performance appraisal?

A recency error in performance appraisal occurs when an evaluator makes judgments about an employee's performance based predominantly on their most recent work, rather than considering their overall performance over the entire appraisal period. This bias can lead to an unfair assessment, as it overlooks the employee's earlier contributions and may not accurately reflect their consistent performance or improvement over time.

When appraisals are influenced by recent events, positive or negative, they can distort the overall evaluation, leading to potentially misguided decisions about promotions, salary increases, or other disciplinary actions. This error highlights the importance of taking a holistic view when assessing employee performance to ensure that evaluations are balanced and equitable, informed by a comprehensive understanding of the employee's work history and contributions.