Attitudes of first‐line supervisors toward subordinate appraisals

Three groups of supervisors who worked for a federal agency completed a questionnaire regarding attitudes toward subordinate appraisal and other aspects of performance appraisal. Group 1 received appraisal feedback from both their managers and their subordinates. Group 2 received feedback from their managers only. Group 3 received feedback about their performance from their subordinates only. Regardless of group assignment, supervisors were generally supportive of subordinate appraisal. Group 1 responded more positively to subordinate appraisal and the appraisal process in general. Group 3 expressed more concern that subordinate appraisals would undermine supervisors' authority and that supervisors would focus on pleasing subordinates. © 1993 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.