In plain English
Managers use this process to line up their judgments so similar performance is rated by the same standard. They look at employee ratings together, compare them, and change them only when needed to keep ratings consistent across people or teams.
In context
Here, calibration names the discussion before ratings are submitted in which managers compare and, if needed, adjust performance ratings so standards are applied consistently across employees or teams.
- Situation
- Setting goals, receiving feedback, completing reviews, and discussing performance
- What it communicates
- names the pre-submission rating discussion step.
Meaning limits
The term by itself does not mean any rating will change, only that managers review ratings for consistency and may adjust them if needed.
Examples
“During calibration, the team leads compared their employee ratings and changed only the few that did not match the standard used by the others.”
“The managers raised that borderline case again in calibration before the ratings were submitted.”