Performance Calibration

What is Performance Calibration?

Performance calibration is a process where managers and leaders collectively review employee performance ratings to ensure consistency, fairness, and appropriate distribution across an organization.

During calibration sessions, managers compare ratings across teams, discuss justifications for assessments, identify rating inflation or deflation, and adjust evaluations to reflect standardized criteria. This process reduces manager bias, promotes equitable treatment, ensures performance differentiation, and aligns ratings with organizational expectations and compensation budgets.

Calibration supports merit-based reward systems, improves rating credibility, and enhances manager accountability. Effective calibration requires clear performance standards, structured discussions, leadership facilitation, and organizational commitment to fair, consistent performance assessment practices that drive employee development and engagement.