<p>MENLO PARK, Calif. – Despite arguments presented by some HR experts that performance evaluations are a thing of the past, most managers still conduct them and consider doing so part of their job description. The question though is, how often should they be scheduled? A survey developed by OfficeTeam, a leading staffing service company, and conducted by an independent research firm, showed two-thirds of executives polled said they schedule formal staff appraisals annually, while 29% hold the meetings more often. Responses to the poll were from 150 executives with the 1,000 largest companies in the U.S. Liz Hughes, executive director of OfficeTeam said annual performance appraisals are common among companies that tie formal reviews to yearly raises and bonuses. But it's more important, she said, for managers to provide ongoing feedback to their staff to foster greater productivity and reduce the potential for miscommunication. Hugest offered five tips for conducting an effective performance evaluation meeting: stick to a schedule; consult the experts; be fair and consistent; request participation; develop an action plan.</p>