Which of the following is a factor that may distort appraisals?

Leniency error represents a significant factor that can distort appraisals because it occurs when evaluators tend to give overly favorable ratings to individuals, regardless of their actual performance. This can result from personal biases, an overly positive view of the employee, or a desire to maintain harmony within a work group. As a result, the true performance or areas for improvement may not be accurately reflected, leading to ineffective management decisions and a lack of proper development opportunities for the employee.

In contrast, performance tracking, skill assessment, and benchmarking are tools and methods that are generally designed to enhance the appraisal process rather than distort it. Performance tracking involves continuously monitoring an employee's work over time, skill assessment evaluates the specific capabilities of an employee, and benchmarking compares performance metrics against industry standards or best practices. These practices aim to provide a more objective and accurate overview of performance, working against potential biases rather than contributing to them.