Work out performance rating distribution instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.
A guided or forced distribution allocates fixed shares to each rating so that ratings remain comparable across managers and the reward budget stays affordable. The bulk always sits at 'meets expectations', which is the rating most organisations struggle to communicate as genuinely positive.
Meets expectations share
Meets % = 100% - Top % - Above % - Below %
Counts
Count per rating = Employees x Rating share %
It controls rating inflation and budget but damages trust when applied rigidly to small teams. Most organisations now use it as a calibration guide rather than a quota.
Because if everyone is exceptional the rating carries no information, and the merit budget cannot fund the increases the ratings imply.