What type of error is Herb making by giving all team members high ratings to ensure they receive a raise?

Herb is displaying leniency error by giving all team members high ratings to ensure they receive a raise. Leniency error occurs when a manager consistently rates employees higher than their actual performance, often to avoid conflict or maintain harmony within the team. This practice can undermine the performance appraisal process, as it may fail to distinguish between varying levels of employee performance.

In this case, Herb's intention to grant high ratings may stem from a desire to be supportive or to motivate his team, but it ultimately dilutes the effectiveness of the evaluation system. Regularly inflating ratings can also lead to issues in employee performance expectations and promotions, as it does not reflect an accurate assessment of each individual's contributions. A sound evaluation process relies on fair and honest feedback to promote growth and development among employees. When high ratings are uniformly applied regardless of actual performance, it can create a misalignment between rewards and performance outcomes, which could be detrimental to both employees and the organization as a whole.