Employee Appraisal and Performance in the Hospitality Industry

Abstract

The number of hotels and catering services are increasing rapidly in Ghana. Previous studies indicate that employee appraisal and performance is one of the major obstacles facing the hospitality industry in Ghana eventhough it plays an important role in the success of a company. There is therefore the need to assess the contribution of employee appraisal and performance in the hospitality industry and how best the benefits can be harnessed for the development of the industry in the country. The purpose of this study was to ascertain the extent to which performance appraisal is practiced. In all fifty hotels including 44-two star, 5-three star and 1-four star in Ashanti Region, Ghana were contacted. Empirical data was collected through questionnaire administered to Chief Executive Officers, Managers and Employees in the fifty hospitality outfits in Ashanti Region, Ghana.

The findings of the study revealed that majority of the respondents had training on performance appraisal but indicated that they did not fully understand the scheme. Most of the appraisees indicated that performance feedback was not given to them and, therefore, did not know the outcome of the performance appraisal exercise.

It was concluded that, even though training was organized, it did not cover all the members of staff; workers were not given feedback on their performance; and performance appraisal was not effective in the hotels.

The study recommended that management should organise training sessions for all the staff, both appraisers and appraisees should understand the need for the appraisal system, and appraisers should be evaluated on how they conduct performance appraisal.