Performance Reviews

A Performance Reviews policy sets clear expectations for how your organization evaluates performance, shares feedback, and documents goals and development, while clarifying that reviews are not a guarantee of a raise, promotion, or continued employment.

How to Write a Performance Reviews Policy

• Start with "why" and describe your purpose: fairness at review time is important.
• Explain that performance feedback is ongoing, and formal reviews are a structured check-in to align on expectations and development.
• Describe the employee self-assessment as an input to the review and goal-setting process.
• Describe the one-on-one review conversation as the forum to discuss progress, wins, and improvement areas.
• Clarify that reviews are not a promise of a raise, promotion, or continued employment.
• Close with where employees can go with questions about the process.

For advice on writing a Performance Reviews policy in a specific jurisdiction, see below.