What are performance review phrases?

Performance review phrases are statements that summarize how well an employee is doing at work. As a form of feedback, they measure the extent to which an employee is fulfilling their job obligations and being productive. In performance reviews, employers typically outline an employee’s strengths and weaknesses, past behaviour, recent accomplishments, and any improvements they’ve made. They also usually set future goals and expectations. Employers who write specific, helpful performance evaluations can help their team members build their skills and gain motivation to do their best jobs.

When can you use performance review phrases?

There are many situations in which you might use a performance review phrase. Most commonly, employers supply review phrases during employee performance reviews. Employers or managers administer these evaluations weekly, monthly, quarterly, or annually for all company staff, either through in-person meetings or digital review systems. Conducting regular assessments like these can normalize them and encourage employees to accept and apply feedback well.

You can also present performance review phrases upon request if your employee is curious about how they’re doing. If you feel a particular team member is struggling with their job duties, you may want to call a meeting, communicate a performance review phrase, and work with them to create a plan for change. In general, review phrases are a tool you can use to appraise the conduct of employees in a professional way.

How to write an impactful performance review phrase

With the proper planning and effort, you can write an excellent performance review phrase. Here are six steps for how to do so:

1. Write an introductory sentence

The first sentence for your review statement can be introductory, including general information like the review cycle and employee name. Your first sentence might be something like, “This review statement is for Jake Smith’s quarter three performance evaluation.” You may also want to mention how long the employee has worked at the company.

2. Outline the employee’s strengths and weaknesses

Draft lists of the employee’s greatest strengths and weaknesses. You can then choose the most significant of each to feature in their performance review phrase. Their strengths may include:

• A positive attitude
• Communication skills
• Dedication
• Punctuality
• Attention to detail
• Following instructions

Some employees may not have any important weaknesses. In this case, you can encourage them to continue performing excellently. Here are some examples of weaknesses your employees might have:

• Absences or tardiness issues
• Issues with communication
• Challenges with following directions

To discover your employee’s top abilities and areas for improvement, consider thinking about what your employee needs to stop doing, start doing, and continue doing in their role. You can also ask them to fill out a self-reflection survey about their own performance to learn what they think they need to do better. If you mention an area of weakness, be sure to suggest a way they can improve in this area. For example, if they have a tough time remembering meetings, you could recommend the use of an online calendar and agenda.

3. Include specific accomplishments

Be sure to use metrics to track the success of your employees, if you aren’t doing so already. This way, you can review these indicators to gain a quantifiable idea of how they’re doing. For example, if they have a certain quota to fill each week, a significant fact to include in their performance review phrase is whether they’re meeting their quota.

4. Set SMART goals

Performance review phrases are opportunities to provide notes, but they’re also chances to set goals for your employees. Helping your team members develop goals and plans can ensure they work toward improving their performance. Be sure your goals follow the SMART framework:

• Specific: The goal should be clear and understandable.
• Measurable: A measurable goal typically involves a number.
• Attainable: Ensure the goal is realistic according to the employee’s abilities and time constraints.
• Relevant: The goal should relate to the company’s purpose and mission.
• Time-based: Make sure to set a realistic deadline for the goal.

5. Write a concluding sentence

Concluding sentences can be helpful in summarizing a performance review phrase for the reader. You can also use your last sentence to emphasize a call to action or expectation for your employee. Be sure to mention you are available if your employee has questions or concerns about their review.

6. Proofread and revise

Proofreading is critical to your performance review phrase. Make sure it’s error-free so you can convey professionalism to your team members. Consider reading it aloud to catch any minor grammatical mistakes. You can also have a trusted colleague read it over to ensure the content and format are appropriate.

Benefits of performance reviews

Performance reviews can be beneficial to both employees and supervisors. They assist employees in doing their jobs well, and they help employers understand the abilities and intentions of their employees. Here are some other benefits of performance review phrases:

• Working toward a company’s mission: Performance reviews are a way to construct a qualified group of employees who can contribute to the company’s mission. Having skilled, capable people on your team can help you reach your business goals.
• Increases employee satisfaction: Employees typically want to know how they’re doing at work, so performance review phrases can increase employee satisfaction with management. In addition, positive feedback can give an employee motivation and make their job more enjoyable.
• Encourages employee productivity: Employees who can accept feedback and set goals can be more productive in their duties. Performance review phrases generate the mindset of continuous improvement.
• Fosters careful attention to detail and quality: If employees know they’re being evaluated, they may pay closer attention to the detail and quality of their work. This can raise the overall value of a business and generate higher levels of revenue.
• Aids in decisions about salary raises and promotions: Performance reviews are excellent ways to decide who to promote. People with consistently good performance grades may be perfect candidates for promotions and raises.

Performance review phrase examples

There are many ways to evaluate an employee, as there are different aspects of one’s “performance.” You can write a performance review phrase that’s logical with the purpose and needs of your business. Here are some examples of performance review phrases by category:

Completion of tasks

One of the most important components of an employee’s performance in many industries is the extent to which they complete their daily assigned tasks. When evaluating this, be sure to consider your employee’s work ethic and time management skills. If they’re not completing their tasks on time, it’s possible they need more time or support.

Your employee may be routinely meeting and even exceeding their duties. It’s a good idea to encourage this behaviour in the future. Here are some examples of positive review statements:

• “Completes all tasks on time.”
• “Consistently meets goals and quotas.”
• “Collaborates effectively.”
• “Follows directions carefully and completely.”
• “Adapts to changes well.”
• “Consistently develops innovative ideas.”

Your employee might struggle to complete their tasks regularly. Constructive feedback can encourage them to improve. Here are some examples of constructive review statements:

• “Cannot meet project deadlines.”
• “Struggles to fulfil goals and quotas.”
• “Doesn’t display the abilities I hired them for.”
• “Doesn’t consistently follow directions.”
• “Struggles to manage multiple deadlines.”
• “Has difficulty communicating with others.”

Attitude

The attitude of employees is key to their productivity and performance. A positive, friendly attitude is important in any role, but especially those that are customer-facing. In addition, employees should have respectful attitudes so they can work effectively with others and contribute to an enjoyable work environment for their colleagues.

If your employee displays a consistently positive attitude that inspires those around them, they deserve recognition. Providing them with appreciation can help motivate them to continue their optimism in the future. Here are some examples of positive review statements:

• “Has optimism that inspires those around them.”
• “Never fails to practice patience and helpfulness for others.”
• “Displays enthusiasm for their role and the company’s mission.”
• “Approaches challenges with confidence and determination.”
• “Consistently provides friendly welcomes and assistance to customers.”
• “Builds effective relationships with colleagues.”

If your employee has a consistently negative perspective that’s affecting their work and colleagues, you may want to address this in a performance review. Be sure to use simple, specific, and actionable language to respond to the problem. In addition, there may be a hidden reason for their struggles. For example, if they are experiencing a personal challenge, they may need some time off to rest and receive support. Be sure to treat the topic sensitively so you can investigate the problem and work with them on a plan for improvement. Here are some examples of constructive review statements:

• “Expresses a pessimistic attitude.”
• “Cannot recognize the positives in a situation.”
• “Has a tough time handling pressure.”
• “Has a tough time managing anger.”
• “Doesn’t handle criticism well.”
• “Struggles with maintaining politeness.”

Adherence to company policy

While not necessarily directly related to daily work tasks, company policy is very important for the operation of a business. Employees need to adhere to company policy for performance, legal, and ethical reasons. Policies may involve attendance, treatment of others, and following protocols.

An employee who consistently follows company protocol is probably skilled in attention to detail. Here are some examples of positive review statements:

• “Respects the schedules of others by arriving to work early or on time.”
• “Consistently adheres to company regulations.”
• “Asks smart questions about policies when they’re unclear.”
• “Consistently adheres to rules about lunch and break time allotments.”
• “Follows procedures for requesting time off.”

If your employee has failed to follow company protocol in the past, you may want to mention this in your performance review. Here are some examples of constructive review statements:

• “Has trouble with showing up on time for work.”
• “Doesn’t follow proper protocols when requesting time off.”
• “Doesn’t adhere to lunch and break time allotments.”
• “Fails to follow company regulations.”
• “Fails to follow supervisory directions about company policies.”

Frequently asked questions about performance review phrases

What should I write for areas of improvement on a performance review?

When writing about areas of improvement, remember to provide actionable, supportive feedback. Here are some ideas for what to write in this section:

• Staying up to date on company news
• Communication and correspondence
• Organization and cleanliness
• Collaborating with others
• Customer service skills
• Time management and preparation
• Consistency in work quality
• Leadership and management
• Creativity and innovation
• Critical thinking and problem-solving

How do you write a review for someone who needs improvement?

To write a review for an employee who needs improvement, first outline your specific concerns. You may also want to include positive feedback so they can feel motivated to do better. Consider having a meeting with them to craft goals and an improvement plan. You can also emphasize you’re available to answer their questions.

How do you praise someone professionally?

In a performance review phrase, you typically compliment your employee’s performance. It’s important to do this in a professional manner. Here are some examples of professional employee praise:

• “I appreciate that you’re always willing to help your colleagues.”
• “You consistently have a positive attitude, even when you have to complete a challenging task.”
• “Your careful attention to detail helps you create work that is high-quality and error-free.”
• “I admire your organization skills and appreciate that you never fail to turn your work in on time.”
• “Your project management skills are some of the best I’ve seen.”
• “Thank you for regularly asking smart questions that help us all improve.”