Employee groups and performance trends over time: Exploring the value of performance ratings for identifying high performers and other employee groups.

What is it about?

We investigate whether it is possible to identify groups of employees who have similar performance trajectories based on performance ratings over time. We found three groups. The largest group consisted of relatively consistent performers (core performers). We also identified two smaller groups: a group of once excellent performers whose performance is quickly decreasing (sinking ships) and a group of employees with increasing ratings (potential stars).

Featured Image

Photo by Joel Mbugua on Unsplash

Photo by Joel Mbugua on Unsplash

Why is it important?

It is often difficult on a year to year basis to get a clear view of the performance trajectory of individual employees. However, if organizations conduct analyses similar to ours, they will be able to identify employees belonging to different performance groups and take steps to benefit both the employee and the organization, such as to counteract the performance trajectories of once excellent employees with quickly declining performance and to provide resources to further develop the potential stars. Although small in number, both employees belonging to groups such as sinking ships and potential stars may have outsized influences on the workplace. It is possible that organizations will find groups with other types of performance trajectories based on their employee performance data.

Perspectives