Important Considerations for Employee Performance Evaluations

In today's business world and employment climate, attracting and retaining a quality work force can be challenging, especially for companies that have limited resources at their disposal.  Employee performance evaluations are a valuable part of the human resources function and should be integrated into every division within a business.  They provide both management and employees with information regarding employee performance and can assist in identifying training needs and communicating expectations.  The following is a brief discussion of several topics that should be included in employee performance evaluations.

Quality Of Work

The employee's ability to execute assigned tasks and duties in a timely manner and produce a consistent, high quality result is the expectation of most, if not all, managers and supervisors.  When an employee produces work that is consistent with the company's needs and mission, that should be recognized so that the staff member is aware that his or her work is in line with what is expected. 

If the performance fails to meet minimum quality standards, the employee needs to be made aware of that fact so that quality can be increased.  This area may also indicate and identify training needs.  

Quantity Of Work

This topic is related to the above topic as the quality level is affected by the amount of work actually performed.  Some employees can produce an incredible amount of work in a short period of time, which may result in errors and a sloppy result.  

Others may produce exceptionally high quality work but it may require an extended period of time to complete.  Ideally, employees should be able to manage their time in such a manner that will result in the production of an adequate amount of work at an acceptable level of quality. 

Work Attitude

Most managers and department heads realize the importance of a sustained level of high morale.  It is generally well known that workers that foster a negative attitude can cripple and organization.  Negativity is contagious and should be identified and corrected immediately upon the realization of its existence.  This can be done through a performance evaluation. 

Punctuality and Attendance

A staff member must be reliable in order to execute assigned tasks and meet the expectations of superiors.  That reliability may be evaluated in the area of punctuality and attendance.  Some considerations when rating the staff member in this area could include being tardy work or meetings, using an excess amount of sick leave, and failing to show up for work without making the proper notifications. 

Fellow staff members may recognize a pattern of tardiness that is not identified or corrected by management.  That can harm morale and sets a dangerous precedent for managers that wish to maintain an element of accountability and dependability among their subordinates.  

Performance evaluations are one of the most valuable tools that a manager or supervisor has and they are easy to implement.  They can be used to facilitate the development of staff and to assist staff members with realizing their potential and provide the opportunity to improve performance.  

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