Employee reviews are not the most fun thing in the world, but they are a vital part of running an organization. They are necessary for finding out how employees are fitting in, what their productivity levels are like, and how they are working within the organization.
That said, conducting an employee review is easier said than done. Here are a few ways in which your organization can complete a more successful employee review.
Start by Reviewing the Goals from the Last Review
Any annual performance should begin by reviewing the goals that were set forth by both the organization and employee the year prior. Those goals should have been discussed by both parties the year prior.
By reviewing the goals set the previous year, it allows for a quick reminder of what was expected. It also allows employees to understand that the power to achieve great things rests in their hands, whether it is great things for themselves or for the company.
Make Reviews Consistent
As an employee, it can be infinitely frustrating to have things change from one review to another. Which is why employers need to ensure that not only is the review the same time each year, but it should be in the same format as well.
Constantly changing things up can make employees feel like the landscape is shifting against them. But creating consistency also helps to create a better way for measuring employee success. That is the most important thing to keep in mind.
Don’t Focus on the Negative
A major mistake that many organizations make when it comes to reviews is to focus on the negative. While the goal is to improve, focusing on those negative aspects can be detrimental to the confidence of employees.
Pointing out where employees are doing well and succeeding is just as important. A little constructive criticism and positive affirmation can go a long way towards helping employees understand where they could stand to improve while also reinforcing where they have been successful.