Final answer:
An associate professor concerned about tenure and who spreads rumors to appear favorable is likely to accuse a supervisor of partiality in rating.
Step-by-step explanation:
Among the scenarios provided, the worker most likely to accuse a supervisor of partiality in rating the employee on a service rating would be an associate professor who is spreading rumors about a colleague in the hope of improving her own chances of receiving tenure.
This behavior indicates a concern for how she is perceived and evaluated in comparison to others, and suggests she might perceive the evaluation process as unfair if it does not favor her. Factors such as statistical discrimination, mentioned in the provided information, could lead to a belief that ratings are not based on objective performance, but rather on imperfections in the information available or biases held by evaluators.
The effectiveness of the 360-degree feedback system is debated. Studies have suggested that such evaluations can be influenced by the self-perception of the employees and their previous ratings, potentially leading to supervisors giving lower ratings to those who rate themselves modestly. However, when discrepancies arise between self-rating and supervisor rating, it is seen as an opportunity for employees to learn and improve.