QUESTION 1 (25 marks) Read the following case study and answer all the questions that follow. Is no News Good News It is lunchtime and Ntombi is sitting in the cafeteria. She looks very disheartened. She has just had her performance appraisal interview, and her supervisor indicated during the interview that there are numerous areas where she is not meeting performance expectations. She does not understand this. She joined her section one year ago and she assumed that her work was satisfactory because her supervisor never told her that it wasnt. She completed all the tasks that everyone gave her. She tells her colleague, Sean that she is puzzled: Dont you agree that no news is good news? I never imagined in my wildest dreams that my supervisor would think that I am useless. Sean replies: I am sure he doesnt think that you are useless! But my supervisor does things differently. She gives us feedback every month and we have a formal review twice a year. That system really helps me stay on track, and there are no nasty surprises at our performance reviews. You are so lucky, Sean, says Ntombi. I feel totally lost. I dont know where to start or what to do to improve my performance. It feels that nothing that I do will make a difference. Just then Veronica joins Sean and Ntombi, and asks what they are talking about. They tell her that they have both had their performance interviews that morning, and are discussing the outcome. Veronica lets out a sigh of relief, Luckily my supervisor does not believe in that rubbish! Its a complete waste of time ... just a paper exercise. Nothing ever comes of performance appraisals it is just empty talk! (Source: Grobler P A, Warnich S. Carrell R, Elbert N, Hatfield R, 2006) Questions a. Define performance appraisal. (2 marks) b. Differentiate between performance management and performance appraisal. (8 marks) c. Discuss if there is any truth in the beliefs of Veronica and her supervisor? Give reasons for your answer. (15 marks)