Annual Performance Reviews

With the calendar year drawing to a close, many organizations find themselves in the process of preparing and delivering annual performance reviews of their employees. These performance reviews are an important means of communicating with employees about their strengths, weaknesses and suggested areas for improvement. In light of the importance of these documents, we recommend that you keep in mind the following guidelines:

Do:

1. Put performance reviews in writing.
2. Be accurate and clear, especially when documenting performance deficiencies that might eventually be used as grounds for termination of employment.
3. List and describe areas where improvement is expected.
4. Have supervisors meet in person with employees to discuss their performance reviews.