Originally written by Aaron Hurst on Small Business
Most appraisals take place once a year, but depending on the type of business you have, you may find it more effective to have several appraisals several times a year.
Research from IRS Employment Review has shown that seven out of ten UK employers appraised staff at least once a year, and only one manager out of 100 surveyed claimed appraisals were a waste of time and money. As a small business owner, time can be very precious, and an appraisal can be one of the few times you get to assess your staff, praise achievements and discuss ongoing goals.
But you and your employees should not feel that this is the only time issues can be discussed. It’s a good idea to have an ‘open door’ policy where employees can feel comfortable approaching you about any concerns they may have in an informal atmosphere. Be aware also of who will be conducting the performance review – some employees may feel uncomfortable raising issues with their line manager, so it’s a good idea to have someone else on hand who may be better placed to carry out the evaluation.
Preparation is key
If you have to carry