How to Conduct a Performance Review- Guidelines for Supervisors

Performance evaluations are typically conducted in a formal manner at least once per year for each employee. Consider making continuous observations during the year with written notation, dating, and describing specific examples of good and poor performance. This feedback should be shared with the employee throughout the course of the year as a means to have continuous open dialogue about performance. Giving feedback only once a year during a performance evaluation is not as effective because employees tend to focus on the negative feedback and often are demoralized by the experience. By sharing performance feedback throughout the year, hearing specific feedback about negative performance should not be a surprise for the employee. A performance evaluation should never come as a surprise.

Please see Section 3.8 Performance Evaluation of the Montana Municipal Officials Handbook for more information about conducting performance reviews.