Learn how to write effective employee reviews that will serve as constructive criticism for your organization and its members.

Video Transcription

Writing Effective Employee Reviews. Entire lives and careers can be shaped or shattered by a single written evaluation. It's no wonder formal performance appraisals are feared equally by those who give them and those who get them. Employment evaluations are only as good as the knowledge, objectivity and memory of the supervisor who writes them. Here are some tips: Review evaluation written by other experienced supervisors to see what works and what doesn't. Keep the notes throughout the evaluation period. Don't rely on recall at the end of the time. Know what you're looking for. Evaluate the right things. Sneak input from other observers when appropriate. Base written evaluations on multiple, first-hand observations. Never use the evaluation as a threat or as punishment. Be complete. Include the good, the bad and the ugly. Don't be afraid to criticize. Don't forget to praise. Concentrate exclusively on factors directly related to job performance. Don't include rumors, allegations or guesswork as part of your written evaluations. Don't put anything in writing which you wouldn't say to the employee in person. Focus on improvement: Use the evaluation to set goals for the better performance. Evaluations often dwell on extraneous characteristics. An important consideration is whether or not the worker produce results. Every worker is different. These distinctions should be reflected in their written appraisals.