Behavioral Anchored Rating Scale (BARS)

The Behavioral Anchored Rating Scale (BARS) is a performance appraisal method that evaluates an employee’s behavior based on specific examples tied to different performance levels. It uses detailed descriptions of actual behaviors (anchors) for various performance ratings, such as "needs improvement" or "exceeds expectations." This helps managers assess others more objectively by comparing observed behaviors to predefined standards, reducing personal bias. BARS provides clear, concrete feedback and makes performance evaluations more consistent and fair, focusing on specific actions rather than vague impressions.