While some managers dread giving an employee performance appraisal, others see the appraisal process as one more opportunity to ensure a company’s success by empowering their employees to stretch beyond their comfort zones and realize their full potential. A formal employee performance appraisal is a platform from which to summarize the informal evaluations that have occurred during the past year, praise the employee for a job well done and discuss areas for improvement. Feedback on employee performance, both positive and negative, is most effective by continuing throughout the entire year as needed. Waiting for the annual employee performance appraisal to provide feedback is a disservice to the employee and to the entire organization. Bringing performance problems to an employee’s attention as they arise also prevents unnecessary surprises during the appraisal meeting as tend to happen when performance problems are “saved up” over the course of the year.
An evaluation system functions as a valuable tool providing constructive comments and suggestions for positive change. A good evaluation system represents an important investment in an organization’s most important asset: Its employees!
The Employee Performance Appraisal Process
Keeping a written “Memory File” is an effective way to track and refer back to information about an employee’s performance during the past 12 months. Reviewing the memory file for positive or negative performance that occurred during the year allows that information to be objectively incorporated into the employee performance appraisal. This could be in the form of notes on specific behavior. Copies of exceptional documents such as letters of appreciation or warnings should also go into the memory file.
As a tool to prepare for the employee performance appraisal, the memory file provides evidence to support ratings, increases the accuracy of the employee performance appraisal by basing the information on documentation rather than memory and it helps ensure that the manager will look at an employee’s performance during the entire appraisal period rather than just the most recent events. As important as this information is to the process, having a record of behaviors to back up ratings generally helps a manager feel more confident going into the performance appraisal meeting.
Be truthful. When conducting evaluations, it is critical to present an objective and accurate analysis of the employee’s performance and resist the temptation to give false praise. On the other hand, evaluations should never contain insulting, defamatory or inflammatory language either. Never sugar-coat the review but at the same time, be diplomatic and tactful. A manager should choose their words carefully!
Be Fair and Consistent. This may require some soul-searching on the manager’s part to make sure employees are treated equally in the review process. Imposing stricter requirements on one employee because of personal feelings, be they positive or negative, limits the ability for that employee to grow and contribute to the company’s success. Likewise, ignoring problems because a person is well-liked or the manager is afraid to get them upset creates similar problems.
Set realistic goals. Unrealistic objectives are sure ways to set up and employee for failure. If additional training or guidance is necessary, make sure that arrangements are made to provide the employee the opportunity to expand their skills. Give the employee every reasonable tool to ensure their success.
Common Rating Mistakes In An Employee Performance Appraisal
Halo and Horns. The tendency here is to generalize ratings based only on one or two specific traits. The shortcomings of an employee who is especially cooperative may be overlooked as may the strengths of an employee who frequently argues.
Clones. The manager thinks that by extremes they will avoid problems by rating all employees high or low. The manager justifies the high rating because “they’re all good” or the low ratings because “they really need to be challenged.”
Similar-to-me. The tendency to give slightly higher ratings to employees who are similar to you in attitudes, work habits, etc. than to employees who are different from you.
Contrast. A manager rates an employee high (or low) because an extremely high (or low) rating is given to another employee. This tendency completely misses the mark of focusing on the requirements of the job. Most Recent Events. A manager gives an undue amount of weight to what the employee has done in the last few weeks rather than what the employee has done over the entire appraisal period.
Examples Improve An Employee Performance Appraisal
Use examples. Specific examples provide the backup to support an employee’s performance rating, make the employee performance appraisal more objective and give the employee clear examples of both positive and negative performance. There should be a balance in the use of examples to support both positive and negative behaviors. Outline future goals. Although a performance appraisal is designed to review past performance, the manager also needs to give an employee a vision for their future performance. Establishing goals gives the employee something to strive for. Reviewing these goals helps end the appraisal meeting on a positive note.
Before, During & After The Employee Performance Appraisal Meeting
The manager needs to spend some time thinking about and planning the items to cover in the discussion. Sufficient time and privacy needs to be allowed to conduct the meeting and interruptions should be kept to a minimum. To give the meeting and each other the attention they deserve, the door should be closed, cellphones turned off and the office phone should not be answered unless absolutely necessary. Once the date and time are established for the meeting, try not to postpone or reschedule the meeting. The employee performance appraisal is an important meeting and needs to be treated as such.
At the meeting, the manager should explain the purpose of the discussion to the employee. Putting the employee at ease by explaining that the purpose of the evaluation is to look at overall performance, to assist the employee to develop and grow and not just to find fault, sets a positive and constructive tone for the meeting. A manager may want to give a copy of the appraisal to the employee to read immediately before the meeting starts. This gives the employee some private time to digest the information before sitting face-to-face with the manager.
Remarks should be based strictly on performance that is relevant to the job. Anything else is inappropriate.
Being a good listener, trying not to get defensive if the employee gets argumentative or emotional and asking clarifying questions will help defuse a potentially emotional situation – remain calm!
In discussing each of the evaluation factors, the manager should point out positive skills and accomplishments wherever possible before addressing the areas requiring improvement. Clearly understanding how the ratings work and effectively explaining those to the employee helps create an objective environment.
In closing the meeting, the manager should summarize the evaluation, review specific goals, standards of performance and offer training opportunities for the next review period. It is critical to have the employee participate in the goal setting and have a clear understanding of the expected results and ramifications if no improvement occurs.
After The Employee Performance Appraisal Meeting
The manager must make time to follow-up on what has been agreed upon. This demonstrates that both the manager and the company are serious about empowering employees to improve and reach their potential. Both the manager and employee should schedule a follow-up meeting within 30 days, or sooner if necessary, to review the employee’s progress.
Any required training should be set up quickly to ensure that the employee is getting the appropriate training and skills to get the job done.
If any interpersonal problems are discovered involving other employees, the manager needs to set up a meeting with both employees to address these issues, getting HR involved if necessary.
If an employee continues to perform poorly, they need to be made aware that consequences may include further disciplinary action up to and including termination. When improvements in performance are seen, the manager needs to provide positive feedback and make note in the memory file.
Additionally, as part of a supervisor’s or manager’s growth, counseling and coaching from the HR department, or from a seasoned human resources advisor, helps a manager be more effective and ensure a positive outcome in the performance review process. When properly structured, the performance review process is a valuable tool for supervisors and managers to create a positive work environment, foster career growth and development and continue to build a successful company.
South Bay HR founder Lori Burzminski has over 20 years of HR experience, including serving as Corporate Human Resources Director for a multi-national, public company with more than 300 employees. She leads her company’s team of HR consultants as they help small and medium sized businesses in the greater Los Angeles solve HR and recruiting issues.
Lori started South Bay HR because she saw a need in the business community for outsourced HR consulting. Many companies do not have the resources to properly staff an HR department but do not need a full-time HR professional to add onto the payroll. South Bay HR provides companies with customized human resources and recruiting solutions through project-based arrangements or at competitive hourly rates.
