Directions: Please answer each of the following questions. Ensure that each response is at least 2 paragraphs in length. Please visit the Academic Resource Center (ARC) for concise APA guidelines.
1. What is "360-degree feedback"? What advantages might it have over more traditional performance appraisal systems that use only downward feedback? What are some of the potential problems that could occur in using a 360-degree feedback system?
2. How can training for those who conduct performance evaluations improve the overall effectiveness of the performance management system?
3. How often should formal performance evaluations take place? Informal ones?
4. Explain why performance management is important in accomplishing organizational goals
5. What are the characteristics of an effective appraisal interview? How should new and experienced employees be treated differently during the interview?
6. Read Application Case 9.1: Evaluating Store Managers at Bridgestone/Firestone Tire & Rubber in Chapter 9 and answer the following questions.
a) Do you consider the description of the Bridgestone/Firestone store manager's responsibilities important information that the raters of managers need to be knowledgeable about?
b) Does the portion of the performance evaluation form used at Bridgestone/Firestone require any subjective judgments or considerations on the part of the rater?
c) Suppose that a Bridgestone/Firestone manager received an outstanding performance evaluation. Does this mean that he or she is promotable? Why?
7. Explain why, in the face of ever-increasing costs, employers are still offering their employees health care benefits.
8. What is meant by the term mandated benefit? Describe government-mandated benefits. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each?
9. What three general types of benefits do most medium-sized and large firms provided voluntarily? Describe each briefly.
10. Discuss the recent amendments to the Family and Medical Leave Act. How will these changes help veterans who are disabled or wounded?
11. What factors make health insurance such an expensive benefit to provide?
12. Read Application Case 12.1: Benefits Are Vanishing in Chapter 12 and answer the following questions.
a) Is it ethical for a company to promise benefits and then years later walk away from the promise? Discuss.
b) Should the government pay for all pension guarantees?
c) Why is retiree health care coverage easier to eliminate than pension benefits?