With a virtual workforce becoming more commonplace, read our top tips on how best to conduct a remote performance review with your employees and ensure that their engagement in your business remains high…

Fix a date in advance and try to stick to it wherever possible. Performance reviews are important, and your employees are important – make sure they feel that way and try not to re-schedule. 

Send an agenda well ahead of time that outlines the key topics of conversation and identify any necessary steps that need to be taken before the meeting. This will help employees feel more at ease and allow them to better prepare. 

Gather feedback from other appropriate colleagues in advance to get a broader picture of your employee’s performance in all aspects of their role.

Although we are all experiencing video call fatigue by now, it is important you use video for this meeting rather than a telephone call. This provides the opportunity to maintain eye contact and read body language during the review process, providing further insight into your employee’s reactions and engagement.

Make sure your employee feels at ease and explain that this is a two-way conversation to help identify strengths and weaknesses, recognise accomplishments, and agree on goals for continued success.

This year has been challenging for many people, whether they’ve been directly impacted by COVID-19 or not, so be sure to show compassion during the meeting. Maybe this year’s performance reviews shouldn’t be based on KPIs and numbers alone. Consider your employee’s personal circumstances and the challenges the business has faced as you give your review.

One of the most important aspects of an employee’s performance review is goal setting. Work toward career advancement opportunities and future goals should not be put on hold, and you should work to establish specific goals providing clarity on how to achieve them.

Look at the priorities you set before the pandemic. Have goals shifted? Did your business pivot this year during the pandemic? You’ll need to set new goals based on the current situation. In addition, goal setting should include plans for professional development, so the employee continues to acquire new skills and feels confident that their career is moving forward.

The goals and objectives established during employee performance reviews should align with the corporate mission and values. This helps to maintain a strong culture focused on attaining overall company goals that lead to individual, team and organisational success.

When successfully conducted, remote employee performance reviews can help promote the development of employee skills and talents, improve levels of engagement, and increase organisational productivity.

For help with your employee performance review process contact us today to see how we can help.