Job descriptions and performance appraisals: perceptions of staff occupational therapists and their supervisors

The purpose of this study was to survey pediatric hospital-based staff occupational therapists and their supervisors to determine if they are satisfied when accurate staff job descriptions are reflected in the staff performance appraisals.

Satisfaction Surveys were completed by 22 sets of staff occupational therapists and their supervisors. The supervisors also completed Department Surveys for demographic information. Correlational and t-test analyses were completed. Descriptive information was also reported.

Both staff occupational therapists and supervisors appear generally satisfied with the job descriptions and performance appraisals they utilize. Only staff therapists' responses were found to indicate relationships between job description accuracy and performance appraisal satisfaction and job description-performance appraisal correspondence and satisfaction with the performance appraisal.

Staff satisfaction with job descriptions and performance appraisals was high. Data regarding content of these documents may provide useful information to department directors who wish to revise their documents and increase employee satisfaction.