What are the two main pieces of information provided by performance evaluations for subordinates?

Performance evaluations are critical tools in the workplace that serve two primary functions: recognizing the achievements of subordinates and holding them accountable for their performance. Recognizing individuals for their hard work and accomplishments fosters motivation and morale, encouraging employees to maintain or improve their performance. Accountability ensures that employees understand their responsibilities and the expectations set for them, which can guide future performance and development.

The other options, while valid aspects of employee development, do not encapsulate the principal focus of performance evaluations as effectively. Feedback and training, for instance, are essential for employee improvement but do not emphasize the dual nature of recognition and accountability inherent in performance evaluations. Opportunities and challenges address broader contexts in which employees can grow but do not specifically pertain to what evaluations aim to convey. Similarly, while goals and performance metrics are important in assessing and guiding work efforts, they do not cover the recognition aspect that evaluations strongly emphasize. Therefore, recognition and accountability are the key outcomes of performance evaluations, highlighting their significance in both individual motivation and organizational standards.