About this Employee Handbook Policy
Regular performance appraisals should be administered to all employees. However, this policy should only be included in the handbook if your organization gives regular appraisals. Limitations should not be placed on your organization if they cannot be met.
For example, it can be harmful to state that appraisals will be given annually if they are generally not completed on time or at all. If included, this policy should provide the minimum standards, rather than the desired standard, for giving appraisals. We also encourage a statement that an appraisal doesn’t automatically signify a pay increase.
If your organization qualifies for the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), managers should not reference an employee’s absences due to FMLA leave in a performance appraisal—especially in a negative fashion. If the employee is excessively absent or tardy, any references in a performance appraisal or disciplinary document should specifically reference all “non-FMLA” absences. Employees may not be penalized for taking unpaid leave that qualifies under the FMLA.
Please note that many states impose greater leave requirements on employers than the federal government. If such a state law applies, the points discussed in this paragraph could also be relevant to any form of employment leave granted by state law.