Which of the following best describes bias in employee evaluations?

Bias in employee evaluations refers to the influence of personal feelings, opinions, or preconceived notions that can skew an evaluator's judgment. When evaluations are emotion-based, they may lead to unfair or inconsistent assessments because they are shaped by the evaluator's subjective experiences rather than the employee's actual performance. This can result in favoritism or discrimination, ultimately affecting the overall fairness and reliability of the evaluation process.

In contrast, an objective assessment of performance, evaluating on a standardized scale, and gathering comprehensive employee data all contribute to a more fair and impartial evaluation. These approaches typically rely on measurable criteria and factual information, reducing the potential for emotional influence and personal bias. Thus, emotion-based evaluation clearly aligns with the concept of bias, making it the correct choice.