Negative implications for the inclusion of citizenship performance in ratings

Abstract

Although citizenship performance has been deemed important to organizational effectiveness, potential negative consequences related to including these behaviours in assessments of performance have received far less attention. Furthermore, although numerous researchers have demonstrated that performance ratings include task and citizenship performance, none have specifically examined the potential negative implications this has for performance ratings, employees, and organizations. This article conceptually explores the implications of including citizenship performance in formal ratings of performance. Specifically, the negative implications of including citizenship performance in the formal performance appraisal process are explored in terms of the consequences for the performance rating, including inaccurate appraisals; effects on employees, including reactions to the procedure; potential organizational outcomes, including performance and competitive advantage concerns; potential international and legal considerations.