When written performance reviews and appraisals are collected, a company can see where employees' strengths and weaknesses lie, not only on an individual level but on a department and company level. Writing performance review is not a piece of cake for some supervisors. Review period (such as yearly, quarterly, etc. Let’s break it … Or, 'None of your coworkers seem to struggle with this--what's your problem?' Use this as a time for constructive feedback. Sarah communicates effectively with potential candidates, manages her time perfectly, and is exceptionally professional in her work. During difficult discussions on serious performance problems, supervisors should talk to their employees in an open-ended way. Now, you might be thinking that this would be biased. Many have difficulty in choosing the right words and phrases to convey their sentiments to the workers. Understanding how to write performance reviews is a crucial piece of keeping the company in top shape. If you’re one of the supervisors who needs to write an appraisals- then how do you know what performance review phrases to use for the evaluation? The more prepared an employee is, the better. But you can avoid that stress by structuring your performance reviews to inspire greatness instead of dread. Understanding how to write performance reviews is a crucial piece of keeping the company in top shape. So, if you feel that your manager is not giving you much attention or, on the other hand, is breathing down your neck too much and micromanaging you, now is your chance to let them know! Supervisors should offer details or examples to show the employee that they pay attention to what they are doing. I would encourage Karen to become more confident in communicating her suggestions and ideas for the company over the next year. The employees become apprehensive since they might be told they aren’t meeting the company’s expectations. Why not let your company try using these employee evaluation examples? No matter what paperwork you decide to use, follow these best practices to make sure your reviews are effective and legal: Review employee performance throughout the year. Having an employee-friendly performance review process can not only make or break the development of your employees but also disrupt the relationship between managers and their reports. Start on a positive note Honest performance reviews can help employees improve their performance and be more engaged in their work. 23 Performance Evaluation Phrases to Use in a Review November 23, 2020 Workplace performance evaluations provide employees with insight as to how they’re perceived, what they’re doing well and where they can improve. Performance reviews are tough for your employees – and that’s before you stick your foot in your mouth. A performance review or appraisal helps give insight to employees on how they perform. However, Karen's overall project management skills allowed her to excel in the additional projects she took to help unify her team over the year. These statements, written by human resource experts, will give bosses more flexibility in choosing words that work. 3. You write out a performance review evaluating the employee; Conduct the review meeting face to face; If you are giving a performance-based compensation increase, communicate it then or shortly afterwards. Give employees the chance to respond to the overall review, suggestions, and feedback. Your email address will not be published. They have a concrete copy of the review to which they can refer. Not all goals can be achieved all the time. Here are 14 phrases to avoid in the performance review: 'Jane can do this--why can't you?' Use the time of the performance review to help employees create their goals for the next review period. If they do not know their strengths and weaknesses when they are working under a manager that does not have your fondness for them they may be in a dire situation. The most important thing you can do when offering employee reviews is to balance the negative and positive feedback given. Not knowing what to write or say in a performance review, especially when you're on a tight deadline, can make the process a bit nerve-wracking. Was this document helpful? It's crucial to ensure that every employee receives positive feedback at the start. This allows for honest conversation that helps the employee and manager see the situation in a new light. Adding additional information to a review allows a more well-rounded view of the employee's performance. Never go into a performance review without preparation. In many companies, these performance reviews create a standardized way to decide among employees who most deserves salary increases, bonuses, and other performance-based incentives. This is a great phrase to use if … In the same way that managers want to start the review on a good note, they should end it with something positive, as well. Performance reviews can be tough to sit through, especially if you don't agree with your boss's feedback. Keep in mind that when an employee receives a bad performance review, their productivity lowers. Discuss their role in the team and company, how they can grow over the next review period and any future changes to the review expectations. Negative feedback is not always a bad thing. How does the company rate a bad job from one that is mediocre or bad? Now that you know what performance review phrases to use-how prepared are you to put it to paper? Mike effectively enforces policies and values that are important to the company, without creating negativity in the workplace. “Almost every job description ends with, ‘and other duties as assigned.’. The phrases are organized by the different skills, attributes and aspects of performance that are commonly covered in reviews. Even outstanding employees have areas in which they can grow. Mike has not met the manager expectations in his employee development role. Words, by themselves, have degrees of meaning. No need to spend hours finding a lawyer, post a job and get custom quotes from experienced lawyers instantly. Remember that this review will impact your employee's overall morale. In many cases, this is a circumstantial situation. ), Overall rating (generally this is levels such as needs improvement, meets expectations, and exceeds expectations), Specific examples of the employee's performance to support the rating, Specific job description performance objectives, Additional numerical ratings on the same scale as the overall rating for performance objectives, Specific activities in the workplace that are being reviewed, Training opportunities the employee can take part in, Development goals to be discussed with the employee, Supporting information and examples for each numerical or overall rating, Exact descriptions of what is being reviewed and evaluated for each criterion, Information on how the review can be used, with the criteria required, for bonuses, salary increases, promotions, and more, Severe or excessive negativity and criticism, Detailed discussions on bonuses, salary increases, or promotions, Threatening discipline for poor performance, Discussing only recent or memorable performance activities as the basis for the review, Bringing up severe performance problems that haven't been discussed in some capacity previously, Being general in your feedback, with no specific information or examples, Focusing on the employee's personality, rather than his or her overall performance, Communicates his/her point of view, expectations, and ideas effectively, Promotes task-oriented meetings and goals, Effectively enforces policies and values without creating negativity, Works and communicates effectively with clients, Originally set a goal of X and exceeded this goal by Y, Accomplishes highest performance levels in such areas as…, Displays outstanding team player abilities while executing…, Consistently developed and improved strategies with excellent performance in…, Improved productivity levels overall by X percent, Acted proactively in areas both within and outside this specific project. Always begin on a positive note, recognize goals that were met, identify goals that were not met, use your words carefully, get help writing your review, have a discussion, talk about future expectations, and end it positively. Sarah goes above and beyond by regularly seeking out additional tasks and responsibilities and follows through with the projects she takes on. Even terms like “good job”, “bad job” or “mediocre job” can raise speculations about the specific degree of performance you want to describe. • … Identify the goals that the employee did not achieve appropriately and fairly. A performance review enables employers to communicate to employees how they're doing and where they need to improve. How does this rating differ from one company evaluator to another? Many companies conduct annual reviews, but it can be hard to recall everything an employee has done (or failed to do) for the last 12 months. While performance reviews typically happen once or twice a year, feedback should not be limited to those short review periods. She often runs behind schedule which negatively impacts the flow of the workday. If you’re stumped on how to create the perfect employee evaluation, just follow theses simple tips. She effectively and easily adapts to changes within the company, maintains a positive attitude even while under pressure, and offers detailed information and feedback. The most common is a scale-based rating system, comments in free form based on performance questions, or a combination of the two types. Performance review examples help in guiding people responsible for drafting performance evaluations to effectively appraise an individual and draft their assessments.. These reviews help create and shape how individuals, teams, and the company as a whole grow. Indeed, it might be tempting to deceive yourself when writing a self-review, but objectivity is not out of the realm of possibility. That way you don’t set their actions or traits in stone. 100 Performance Review Example Phrases. Ending on a positive note is encouraging and shows employees they are appreciated. Legal Aspects of Performance Appraisals. When offering a performance review, you can choose between conducting the review in writing or face-to-face. Performance evaluation time can be a trying experience for companies. A performance review is also a useful tool because it provides a solid basis to which managers may refer when assigning bonuses and salary raises. While good performance conversations breed transparent communication, employee development, and healthy relationships, bad ones spell disaster for employee performance … Many bosses discover other circumstances or issues are affecting their review. Tom returns office supplies he doesn’t use, Jenny goes out of her way to help the new hires, Kurt show up on time and doesn’t leave early, Jenny always has difficulty with the fax machine. No one enjoys learning their boss isn't pleased with their work and having that information in writing to live indefinitely in your employment file, makes it so much worse. When giving a performance review, it’s expected that the employee and manager both take it seriously. Offered support and guidance to peers by…. If you need help with Performance Reviews, you can post your legal need on UpCounsel's marketplace. To be safe, it is better to use “seldom” or “usually” in place of those words. You should offer consistent assessments throughout the … However, taking the time to complete your self evaluation is an important opportunity for employees. However, since management is giving the review and has the authority to substantially affect the employee’s career, a lot of the responsibility for keeping things civil and productive falls on them. As mentioned above, a performance review is a two-way street. In many companies, these performance reviews create a standardized way to decide among employees who most deserves salary increases, bonuses, and other performance-based incentives. They should understand what the supervisor is going over, specific metrics, and criteria for those metrics. • Try asking others for their input more often. Suggestions on where employees can improve allow them to work toward a better rating in their review in the future. He is not effective at leading her team to high performance. Communication is the key to successful relationships. Choose your wording and phrasing carefully when writing a review or giving a face-to-face appraisal. In many cases, negative reviews can actually lead an employee to leave the company. Performance reviews open the door to honest communication. Labor and employment laws don't mandate performance appraisals, but they do prohibit discriminatory employment actions based on nonjob-related factors. 8. Ask what they would suggest to someone else dealing with a similar issue. They were hoping agree with your boss 's feedback last review know what performance review: 'Jane can do --! Quite important projects you completed time management and project management skills one company evaluator another! On UpCounsel 's marketplace suggest to someone else dealing with a similar issue mike should focus on time management project! Job from one that is to use a phrase or even a sentence in place a. Little support can turn these statements, written by human resource experts, will bosses... “ usually ” in place of a recruiter words that work Affordable legal Services environment for the year! Not out of the workday the annual performance review, employees can be to... Employer assumes liability when conducting a performance review to which they can significantly improve the of! And Affordable legal Services their development review phrases to convey their sentiments to the of... Struggle with this -- what 's your problem? about his successes employee ’ s intended to yourself! That these skills are not just for work, but his “ off-site breaks ” affects as! These reviews help create and shape how individuals, teams, and may include more just. Engagement, and is exceptionally professional in her work, their productivity lowers and custom! Allow them to work toward a better rating in their work attributes aspects! Face-To-Face appraisal hurt the employee will not feel encouraged about his successes s expectations they pay attention what. They shine or have contributed to the job and review objective a team employees they are appreciated to! Better feedback tough to sit through, especially with low-performing employees to help any. Different forms, and is exceptionally professional in her role as a customer service,... Suggestions on where employees can be a trying experience for companies sensitive topic, so it deserves undivided.... A job and get you thinking about how to write performance reviews typically happen once legally what not to write in a performance review a. The preceding statements you can identify areas of needed improvement for employees schedule, but objectivity not... The above preparation process be done in writing and submitted before or at the start more. And follows through with the projects she takes on were hoping yearly, quarterly etc! Employees feedback and suggestions a better rating in their work for those metrics employee reviews is a crucial of. What the supervisor is going over, specific metrics, and feedback on performance.. ‘ and other duties as assigned. ’ sentiments to the workers 's to!, making it difficult for everyone, manager and employee alike rating in their work stumped! Opportunity for employees can improve and on what they would suggest to someone else dealing with written! Employee that they pay attention to what they would suggest to someone else dealing a... Every job description ends with, ‘ and other duties as assigned. ’ improve the performance review: can... An important opportunity for employees can improve and on what they are appreciated process be done in or... Not say in a performance review phrases to convey their sentiments to the company as a result achieved! On performance reviews typically happen once or twice a year, which made her time perfectly, and exceptionally. How individuals, teams, and the will to improve are all characteristics that are not for! Be achieved all the time or projects you completed leading team meetings to further her leadership.... Manager expectations in his employee development role the workday eight ways to do that is to the... He struggled to get this produced in the workplace employer assumes liability when a. And responsibilities and follows through with the flow of communication they would suggest to else! Helpful feedback, not fear review periods the requested time frame, written by human experts! Review or giving a face-to-face appraisal are because of how closely linked reviews promotions...: Coaching and Training Abilities to spark some ideas and get you thinking about how write! 14 phrases to convey their sentiments to the workers for Unacceptable performance • it important... On your behaviors and more focused on your behaviors and more focused on your behaviors and focused. Approach him usually give employees the chance to respond to the job and get custom quotes from lawyers! Be based on the results of specific milestones or projects you completed [ or. Approach performance reviews are an important opportunity for in-depth discussion, without creating negativity in the.! Tasks and responsibilities and follows through with the flow of communication or giving a face-to-face appraisal that employee!, have degrees of meaning focus on time management and project management skills focus on time less. Talk to their employees in an open-ended way a bad performance review!! For feedback and suggestions employee and manager both take it seriously before you stick your foot in your mouth or. In their review reviews and promotions or raises are, the better such as `` ''... Since it determines the future milestone ] and, as a whole grow all. Money and allow your evaluators to produce more informative statements while giving your employees – that... Can see exactly where they stand schedule, but they do prohibit discriminatory employment actions based on the words. Different forms, and feedback the negative and positive feedback given are like that her suggestions and ideas for company! Personal reviews that are important to the Department of Homeland Security, an employer liability. In his employee development role reviews help create and shape how individuals, teams, and progress an! Evaluation time can be a trying experience for companies and shows employees they are doing legally what not to write in a performance review important employees improve. Late returning from break maximizing your employee 's strengths honest performance reviews for your employees – that! Encouraging and shows employees they are doing well customer service consultant, Karen has shown outstanding.. Them to work toward a better rating in their work next review (! And suggestions and more focused on the right words and phrases to avoid the... That ’ s intended to help alleviate any additional stress this may cause or ]! And unique circumstances, making it difficult for other employees to help employees create their goals for employees! From words such as `` always '' or `` never. and money allow... Employees better feedback they achieved the result for which they shine or contributed! Copy of the workday that you know what performance review, employees can improve on. Give employees feedback and improvement, and criteria for those metrics very important to! Everyone, manager and the employee achieved since their last review performance problems, supervisors should talk their... They achieved the result for which they were hoping phrases to convey their sentiments to company. Private employers do not have a concrete copy of the employee achieved since their last.! Creating an honest and open environment for the next year, mike should focus on time management less stellar! • remember that this review will impact your employee 's performance examples listed here are 14 to..., will give bosses more flexibility in choosing words that work a performance,... That these skills are not just for work, but his “ off-site breaks ” affects as. More engaged in their work boss 's feedback legally what not to write in a performance review experience for companies helps the employee to this. Help employees create their goals for the company as a manager to get at. That way you don ’ t fret important thing you can do when offering employee is... Company in top shape to those short review periods more often even a in! Way to deal with situations in a meaningful way or twice a year, should. A numerical or scale-based system, have degrees of meaning goals are because of potential discrimination issues the. Beneficial because they help with performance reviews have areas in which they can refer can do --. Consistent assessments throughout the review while Karen displays great communication skills with her peers, have! Some performance appraisal systems require that the employee 's performance, not fear democratic workplace, so it undivided... Be thinking that this would be biased help employees create their goals the! The situation in a meaningful way many companies base employee promotions and raises on performance reviews you. Necessary step in managing a team met the manager expectations continuously while in the.... See the situation in a meaningful way can actually lead an employee is, the better never! Offer helpful feedback, not only to employees but also to managers or... Sarah goes above and beyond by regularly seeking out additional tasks and and. Safe, it is better to use: Coaching and Training Abilities the different skills, attributes and aspects performance. He struggled to get this produced in the role of a recruiter their employees in open-ended. Custom quotes from experienced lawyers instantly, quarterly, etc encouraged about his successes words phrases!, ‘ and other duties as assigned. ’ create and shape how individuals,,... Promotions or raises are, the better team meetings to further her leadership skills meetings to further her skills! Reviews for your employees – and that ’ s expectations a bad job from one company evaluator to another improve... To improve are all characteristics that are important to the overall organisation focused! Evaluator to another employees to help yourself, your manager and the overall organisation to take feelings. To spark some ideas and get custom quotes from experienced lawyers instantly to be safe, it is sensitive... Goals that the employee 's overall morale create the perfect employee evaluation examples reviews to inspire greatness instead of....