Employee performance reviews may be a relic of the employment world of old, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be effective. In fact, with a strong structure, they can be an incredibly useful tool to motivate, inspire and reward your team for their hard work.

Our performance review checklist is here to help you give your processes a glow-up and create a great experience.

What is in this performance review checklist?

The resource takes you through all the essential steps that managers need to follow, in order to conduct an effective appraisal. The sections are split up into before, during and after the performance review, and give ideas on how best to complete each step.

To download the checklist, fill in the form.

Disclaimer: The information in this checklist is relevant as at 20 November 2023, and has been prepared by Employment Hero Pty Ltd ABN (11 160 047 709) (Employment Hero). The views expressed herein are general information only and are provided in good faith to assist employers and their employees. The Information is based on data supplied by third parties. While such data is believed to be accurate, it has not been independently verified and no warranties are given that it is complete, accurate, up to date or fit for the purpose for which it is required. Employment Hero does not accept responsibility for any inaccuracy in such data and is not liable for any loss or damages arising either directly or indirectly as a result of reliance on, use of or inability to use any information provided in this checklist.

What is an employee performance review

An employee performance review is a formal evaluation process where a manager assesses a team member’s work. This is an opportunity for manager and direct report to discuss the team members strengths, weaknesses, provide constructive feedback and set goals for further development. In simple terms, it’s a time to discuss how well an employee is performing in their role.

Some of the most important points to cover during a performance review and to include in your agenda are:

• Do the employee’s day-to-day actions align with your business objectives?
• Is the employee held accountable for their duties and expectations?
• Are there documents to support your employee’s work habits?
• Does the employee need to be recognised or awarded for performing well?
• Is the employee compensated clearly and fairly for their work initiatives?

For more resources, check out our performance review guide and our performance review template. These work in tandem with our checklist for a full manager toolkit to success.

How often should you evaluate employee performance?

The frequency of employee performance reviews can vary, but it’s recommended that they are regular, and planned in advance.

There are many benefits of doing regular performance reviews with your team, such as:

• The opportunity to set expectations of team members
• A chance to discuss any issues in a more formal setting
• Greater insights into staff wellbeing

Performance evaluation checklist

To make the one on one appraisal process as easy as possible, we have broken down the main areas you need to cover:

• Work Quality – the quality, quantity, accuracy, and timeliness of the employee’s work.
• Punctuality and Attendance – timekeeping and attendance records.
• Time Management – how well the employee manages time, stays on schedule, and meets deadlines.
• Attitude – interactions with colleagues, supervisors, and customers.
• Dependability – if the employee consistently does what it takes to complete tasks and demonstrates dedication to their work.
• Flexibility – if the employee shows initiative, adapts to new methods, and responds well to constructive feedback.
• Interpersonal Skills – working relationships with coworkers.
• Leadership – for managers: their ability to foster a learning culture, engage the team, and keep projects on track.
• Performance – whether the employee met goals set in the last performance review.
• Teamwork – how well the employee collaborates with the team and contributes ideas to achieve common goals.
• Strengths – key job skills, proficiency, and areas where the employee excels.

Employment Hero can power up your performance reviews

Employment Hero is the world’s first Employment OS (operating system), offering everything your business needs, from finding and hiring top talent using SmartMatch to seamlessly onboarding new hires, automating complex payroll, and driving employee engagement and morale, all backed by UK-based expert support.

Our goal is to make employment easier and more accessible for everyone, and this extends to ensuring employee evaluations are as streamlined as possible. The performance review feature gives you access to a range of templates, custom rating scales and cascading goals. It’s a sure-fire way to get the most out of your team come performance review time.

To find out more, contact our team today.