What is a temporal error in performance appraisal?

A temporal error in performance appraisal refers to bias related to how information is assessed over time, which is what makes the chosen answer accurate. It often involves the timing of evaluations, where performance may be affected by recent events or trends rather than a comprehensive view of the employee's work over the entire appraisal period. For example, if an evaluator places too much weight on recent performance (the "recency effect") rather than considering the employee's performance throughout the entire review period, this could lead to a misrepresentation of their skills or contributions.

The nature of performance appraisals means that an employee's performance may fluctuate due to various external factors, and if evaluations are not adjusted to accommodate these temporal variations, it can result in skewed assessments. Therefore, recognizing and mitigating temporal errors ensures that employees receive fair and accurate evaluations based on their performance throughout the entire appraisal period.