A performance appraisal is a reoccurring review of an employee’s job performance and overall contribution to a company. These appraisals happen as often as a company wishes, often being annual, quarterly, monthly, or weekly. Employers use performance appraisals to evaluate an employee’s skills, achievements, growth, and/or lack thereof.

Performance appraisals allow employers to provide positive feedback, and even identify areas for improvement. It allows employees to discuss a developmental training plan with their manager for any skills that need to be improved and provides motivation because they feel managerial support.

• Use the company performance appraisal documentation as a conversation starter. Discuss where the employee feels they fall on the document versus where you feel they fall. 
• Provide ongoing feedback: Giving ongoing feedback allows managers to help employees become successful and nip problems before they become big. 
• Two-way discussion: Involve the employee in the conversation. This ensures that the meeting is positive, reinforcing and developmental. 
• Employee self-appraisals: Prior to the meeting, ask the employee to self-appraise themselves. This is a great way to open the meeting up for conversation and discussion.

Related Terms: Performance Management, Company Culture