Behaviorally Anchored Rating Scale {BARS}

HR glossary image

Definition of Behaviorally Anchored Rating Scale (BARS)

 

The BARS is a tool for rating the performance of new employees. It focuses on some particular behaviors and it gives examples to judge every individual. This is an item that is a part of the standard interview whose aim is to provide both stories and figures that help to better understand and improve job performance and reduce errors from traditional rating scales. It measures the performance of one at work in a precise and clear manner.

 

BARS: Breaking Down the Acronym:

 

The term “BARS” stands for the Behaviorally Anchored Rating Scale. Let’s break it down to understand what each part means:

 

  1. Behaviorally: BARS focuses on behaviours – the observable things that people do, such as actions and activities that can be quantified. This approach distances itself from the use of opinions on personality characteristics and emphasizes what one does that affects one’s effectiveness in their work.
  2. Anchored: The term “anchored” as used in BARS implies that the rating scale is attached to some identifiable items, which can be seen as people doing certain activities. BARS sets the performance ratings to be tied to actual cases and this makes sure the evaluation is more precise and reliable.
  3. Rating Scale: The rating scale in BARS is like a structured tool to measure how well someone is doing. It has specific examples that show different levels of performance, from not great to good.

 

Behaviorally anchored rating scale advantages and disadvantages

 

Advantages of Behaviorally Anchored Rating Scale:

 

  1. Specific Feedback: A major benefit of the BARS is that it gives very specific remarks. Since the descriptors attached to behaviour ensure that the employees get specific views into how they are doing, it enables them to know where to concentrate for them to improve.
  2. Reduction of Bias: BARS attempts to reduce the bias of subjective judgement through the connection between performance ratings and the observable actions that people perform. This promotes reducing the effects of subjective judgments, which makes evaluations more unbiased and objective.
  3. Enhanced Communication: BARS helps supervisors and employees talk better. Having specific examples makes it easier for both sides to discuss what’s expected, where improvements can happen, and what has been achieved.
  4. Tailored Evaluation: Unlike generic rating scales, BARS allows organizations to customize evaluations based on specific job roles. This tailoring ensures that the assessment criteria are directly relevant to the duties and responsibilities of each position.

 

Disadvantages of Behaviorally Anchored Rating Scale:

 

  1. Complexity in Development: Creating a comprehensive set of behaviorally anchored descriptors can be time-consuming and requires a deep understanding of the job roles. Developing BARS may be perceived as complex compared to simpler rating systems.
  2. Scalability Challenges: Using BARS in big organizations with different jobs can be hard. Keeping things consistent when creating and using BARS becomes more complicated as the size of the organization grows.
  3. Training Requirements: In many cases, the supervisors and the employees require training for them to work well in BARS. This means that the criteria of the evaluation are understood by every person. On the other hand, this training contributes towards the cost and time of the whole process.

 

Behaviorally Anchored Rating Scales (BARS) Examples

 

To better understand BARS, let’s consider an example of a customer service role:

 

Behavioral Anchor 1:

  • Low Performance: Rarely acknowledges customer concerns, often providing incomplete or incorrect information.

 

Behavioral Anchor 2:

  • Moderate Performance: Occasionally addresses customer issues adequately but may lack consistency in providing accurate information.

 

Behavioral Anchor 3:

  • High Performance: Consistently addresses customer concerns promptly, providing accurate and helpful information, leading to positive customer feedback.

 

In this example, the behavioural anchors are specific and observable, offering a clear distinction between levels of performance.

 

Make performance reviews more efficient and objective with Time Champ. Join us today and experience the precision of BARS in a whole new way!

 

Also Read:

 

FAQs

A Behaviorally Anchored Rating Scale (BARS) is a performance evaluation method that combines qualitative and quantitative approaches to assess an individual’s job performance. It links performance criteria to observable behaviors for a more detailed and specific assessment.

The term “Behaviorally Anchored” indicates that the rating scale is firmly connected to specific, observable behaviors. It avoids vague descriptors and anchors performance ratings to concrete examples, ensuring accuracy and consistency.

Unlike traditional rating scales that often rely on subjective traits, BARS focuses on observable behaviors. It provides a more detailed assessment by connecting performance criteria to real, tangible actions.