How to Respond to the Need for Extra Effort in an Employee Evaluation

Respond to a poor evaluation with actionable improvement items.

Often, employers conduct an employee evaluation. This evaluation is usually used during the employee's annual review. The form will include a rating of the employee on various skills, performance and attitude. The evaluation form is important because how well an employee is rated can determine if the employee should receive a raise, bonus or promotion---or be fired. There are fairly easy ways that you as an employee can respond to the need for extra effort.

Things You'll Need

• Spreadsheet

Instructions

1. 

   A spreadsheet will clearly outline what you need to work on.

   Create a spreadsheet. Use the first column to list all the areas in which your employer determined you needed extra effort on your evaluation. This spreadsheet will give you a good idea of what you need to work on and will provide the basis of how you will respond to your review of needing extra effort.

2. 

   Set a plan to improve.

   In the second column, aligned with your list of areas for improvement, fill out an actionable plan addressing each item in column 1. For example, if your employer stated that you needed extra effort in meeting deadlines, your actionable item might be setting mini-deadline goals for each piece of a large project. If your employer stated that you needed extra effort on improving your tardiness to work, your actionable item might be as simple as leaving your home 15 minutes earlier each day.

3. 

   Ask for a meeting.

   Schedule a meeting with your employer. Bring your spreadsheet to the meeting to discuss how you are planning to improve each area identified as one in which you need to demonstrate more effort. This is important to show your employer that you have taken your evaluation seriously and are creating ways to improve.

4. 

   Get a date for your next meeting.

   Ask for a follow-up evaluation in 90 days. This way you will find out if you are on track with improving before your next annual evaluation.

Tips & Warnings

• It is important to have an open mind on items you were deemed to need improvement on. Even if you don't think you need additional effort, if your employer has deemed that you do, think of ways to improve how you are completing the task or responsibility now. It can only make you a better employee.

• Job evaluations can determine if you get a raise or a promotion---or, conversely, if you risk termination---so take them seriously.

References

• Entrepreneur Magazine: employee performance
• Fast Company Magazine: performance reviews

Resources

• Entrepreneur Magazine: employee reviews