Final answer:
The administrative uses of performance management include supporting progressive discipline and documenting layoff decisions. These functions are essential for managerial decisions and legal compliance in employment actions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Performance management serves both administrative and developmental purposes within an organization. Among the administrative uses are supporting progressive discipline and documenting layoff decisions. These are critical as they directly relate to the managerial and legal aspects of employment. In contrast, discussing career paths and setting performance goals for the upcoming year typically fall under the developmental purposes, as they focus on the employee's growth and future within the company.
Administrative uses of performance management involve actions such as using performance appraisals to back up the decision during a progressive discipline process, or to document layoff decisions in the event of downsizing. These aspects are crucial for the proper functioning and legal compliance of the organization. They aid in ensuring that employment actions are justified and can be defended if challenged.