Performance Appraisals: Alabama
Federal law and guidance on this subject should be reviewed together with this section.
Author: Tamula Yelling, Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete, LLP
Summary
- While Alabama does not have specific laws relating to the issuance or conducting of performance appraisals, performance appraisals serve as a great resource to encourage employees who are performing well, correct those employees who are not performing well and salvage those employees who have not performed to potential. See Performance Appraisals as a Resource.
- Employers should make sure that managers and supervisors, i.e., evaluators, receive training on conducting performance appraisals. See Training Evaluators to Conduct Performance Appraisals.
- Alabama law provides a statutory claim for defamation. See Training Evaluators to Conduct Performance Appraisals; Avoiding Defamation Claims.
- Performance appraisals serve as the best evidence for demonstrating legitimate, nondiscriminatory reasons for adverse employment actions, including terminations. See Performance Appraisals as the Best Evidence.
- An employer's failure to address performance or conduct issues with an employee may give rise to a future negligent retention claim. See Negligent Retention.