Performance Appraisal

What is a performance appraisal?

A performance appraisal or performance review is the process of assessing an employee's job performance over a fixed time period. The evaluation covers a range of questions set in advance by the Human Resources team, but broadly includes what's gone well, what could be improved and what the employee's objectives are for the future. Many businesses like to assess the employee's demonstration of core values and job competencies, as well as training and development requirements. A good performance review should include both a self-assessment from the employee and a manager's evaluation.

How often you should run a performance appraisal process?

While performance appraisals were traditionally conducted once a year, many organizations are moving to regular check-ins where employees and managers touch base monthly, quarterly and bi-annually. The appraisal process is still a core part of continuous performance management but is much more effective when combined with 360 feedback, goal setting and one on one meetings.

What should be included in a performance appraisal?

Often combining both written and oral feedback, it is carried out to identify an employee's areas of strengths and weakness and to outline actionable steps to improve and redirect behaviour for growth and development.

Examples of benchmarks considered in a performance appraisal include quality of output, productivity, leadership abilities, attitude towards work and colleagues, integration into team and level of team work.

How performance appraisals should be used?

Appraisals can often be used to provide a basis for pay increases and promotions, as well as a clarification of roles, responsbilities, bsuienss structure and best practice.

"Performance appraisal is supposed to be a developmental experience for the employee and a 'teaching moment' for the manager." - Joel Myers

See also: The Essential Guide to Performance Reviews.