HRMantra

What is the Bell Curve Method in Performance Appraisal? | HRMantra

What is the Bell Curve Method in Performance Appraisal? | HRMantra

What is the Bell Curve Method in Performance Appraisal? | HRMantra

2-3 minutes 

Bell curve is a process in which employees are told to rate other employees. Due to this, an employer gets an overview and almost correct data of its highest performers, average performers, and low performers. This is the normalization process where the organization would locate where and on whom they have to focus for better outcomes. Accordingly, the HR then deals with the employees once they know which category they fall under.

The chart of the bell curve has three categories and is largely divided as 20% best performers and 70% average performers and 10% low performers. Thus, the company focuses on the 20% of the best and 10% of least performers of their company. For the bottom line, they equip them with training and learning to make them productive, but at the time of sacking, this 10% lot are among the chosen ones.

Some people think of it as an ancient way of dealing with appraisal and analyzing one''s performance. Many new age companies have moved away from the bell curve and started practicing other engagement methods which include ongoing feedback, open communication, employee engagement, performance charts seen in performance management systems. These help in creating healthy and positive surroundings of a workplace, sadly not there in the Bell Curve method.

Back to HR Glossary

Know More About HRMantra Features