Behavioral observation scales are primarily designed to measure what aspect of employee performance?

Behavioral observation scales (BOS) are specifically intended to assess the frequency with which specific behaviors occur in the workplace. This method focuses on identifying and measuring observable behaviors that are critical to successful job performance. By documenting how often these desired behaviors take place, BOS provides a clear and objective way to evaluate employee performance based on actual actions instead of subjective perceptions or outcomes.

These scales focus on behaviors that are essential for a job rather than on the quality of work produced, which is more subjective and may not accurately reflect an employee's daily activities. They also do not directly assess competitive performance levels or overall satisfaction levels among coworkers, as these factors are influenced by a variety of other contextual elements and are not strictly related to individual behavior frequency. Thus, the emphasis on measuring the frequency of desired behaviors aligns precisely with the primary purpose of behavioral observation scales.