Question 1

Criticism that is neither constructive nor corrective can not only cause resentment and damage relationships with employees, but also increase stress levels to the extent that creativity, memory, planning, thinking and other mental functions shut down and actually cause performance to worsen.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 2

'You have messed it up again. You are such a dill.' Which of the following is true in relation to this piece of feedback?

Accepted Answer

A)  It is negative and general, and should be avoided completely. 
B)  It is negative and general, but would be acceptable if provided in a light-hearted manner. 
C)  It is negative but constructive, and so would be an acceptable way to address underperformance. 
D)  It is negative but corrective, and so would be an acceptable way to address underperformance. 
E)  It is negative, but would be acceptable if it was more specific.

Question 3

Ideally, during a performance review:

Accepted Answer

A)  the person conducting the review should do more of the talking. 
B)  the person being appraised should do more of the talking. 
C)  the person conducting the review and the person being appraised should do about the same amount of talking. 
D)  much of the review should be done in silence using documentary evidence of performance. 
E)  None of these responses are correct.

Question 4

The type of feedback most appropriate to assist underperforming employees to bring their performance up to the required standard is:

Accepted Answer

A)  constructive feedback 
B)  negative feedback 
C)  corrective feedback 
D)  general feedback 
E)  no feedback at all; this allows the employee to self-correct their performance.

Question 5

'Your presentation was excellent, particularly the way you demonstrated market trends using charts and graphs.' This statement would best be described an example of:

Accepted Answer

A)  constructive feedback. 
B)  general feedback. 
C)  specific feedback. 
D)  positive general feedback. 
E)  positive specific feedback.

Question 6

'The fact that you have achieved all of your targets this month is testament to your perseverance and hard work.' This statement is an example of:

Accepted Answer

A)  constructive feedback. 
B)  negative feedback. 
C)  corrective feedback. 
D)  positive feedback. 
E)  general feedback.

Question 7

'I understand that delays by suppliers affected your ability to meet your deadlines, so if I can minimise those delays, I'm confident you will be able to submit the invoices for approval by the required dates each month.' This statement is an example of feedback that is both empathetic and positive.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 8

Which of the following approaches to providing feedback to employees is likely to prove most effective with assisting employees to improve their performance?

Accepted Answer

A)  One annual formal performance review 
B)  Two formal performance reviews per year 
C)  One annual or two six-monthly formal performance reviews, and occasional feedback of about 10 minutes every few months 
D)  One annual or two six-monthly formal performance reviews, and regular feedback of about 10 minutes every few weeks, or when an aspect of employee performance deserves recognition or requires improvement 
E)  One annual or six-monthly formal performance review, and daily feedback of 30 minutes

Question 9

Where an employee's performance has been poor or below the standard expected of them, the manager conducting their performance review should:

Accepted Answer

A)  tell them straight out that their recent performance indicates they are a poor worker and that they will most likely lose their job. 
B)  avoid these performance issues, and instead focus on the positives of the employee's performance. 
C)  objectively point out the employee's poor performance, and tell them they need to improve. 
D)  objectively highlight the employee's poor performance, and offer them coaching and/or other development opportunities to correct it. 
E)  All of these responses are correct.

Question 10

Which of the following is not a stage in an employee's performance review?

Accepted Answer

A)  Creating the right climate 
B)  Review of performance 
C)  Review of the organisation's strategic goals 
D)  Planning for the future 
E)  Final summary

Exam 15: Providing Formal and Informal Performance Feedback