If the only time you think about working on your performance is before the annual performance evaluation, you are not alone. Most of us today prefer to stay quiet and let someone else point out possible improvements in their work. The reason? It’s easy. Performance reviews give employees and managers a chance to discuss how employees are doing and how they can do better, together.
No matter how skilled or productive you are, there is always a possibility to do a job better. There are ongoing changes to policies and guidelines, it’s important to stay aligned and to keep communication going during these times. We recommend quarterly performance discussions, paired with the year-end review. This will allow both manager and employee to stay on the same page about goals, progress, and next steps. It can also help:
- Employees understand exactly where they stand and what to do to improve; and
- Managers provide real-time coaching and help with obstacles.
Feedback is a critical element of regular performance discussions. While there isn’t a one-size-fits-all all solution for all performance discussions, every conversation should promote trust, reduce anxiety, and create clarity, and the conversation doesn’t have to just be about performance. Make sure to ask your manager about:
- Career growth and development
- Engagement challenges
- Changes or key messages from senior leadership
- Peer and customer feedback
- Advanced scores
Please don’t wait until your interim or the final review to make comments. Writing comments is the best way to document and share progress and achievements. Also, make sure to read the DOHR Performance Management policy and the updated Pay for Performance Policy 24-001 and schedule your discussion with management. While face-to-face performance discussions are best practice, if your schedule will not permit, please use an alternative to holding face-to-face discussions, the following methods for conducting review discussions are being recommended:
- Have a phone conversation with or without video.
- Microsoft Teams, Zooms
- Jabber can be used to have a discussion while sharing computer screens.
