How to Write an Employee Performance Review

Meet with your employees one-on-one to discuss the results of their performance reviews.

The employee performance review is essential for employers who must identify top performing employees and it is also an important way for you to convey what you expect from each of them. Use the employee performance evaluation as a way to reinforce well-earned praise and offer struggling employees a chance to improve and meet goals. .

Instructions

1. Set goals for each individual employee based on his function and job within the company. Set performance standards that all employees must meet based on company-wide goals. Keep a log on each employee in which you track their performance on a daily basis. Take note of anything significant and memorable, good and bad.

2. Assess the employee's performance based on the standards and goals that have been set forth. Analyze your log along with the employee's personnel file to clearly determine if the employee is meeting company standards and goals. Write the performance review in terms of whether the employee has met, exceeded or fallen short of expectations.

3. Share your findings with the employee and coach the employee on areas he must improve on. Be specific about what the employee has done or hasn't done. Set clear deadlines for an employee who needs to improve performance, but be realistic. Don't tell the employee that he must improve in two days.

4. Give your employee a chance to respond to the assessment. You may even have employees write their own performance reviews to have them determine goals and standards. This gives employee's control over their career and a sense that they are genuinely contributing. Compare your results and work together to move forward.

5. Don't wait for the assessment to give the employee praise or crticism. Praise employees along the way or call them for a meeting right away if the performance is not up to standards. Nothing should be a surprise during the perfomance evaluation.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not have favorites. Value each employee equally.

References

• NOLO: How to Conduct Employee Evaluations