April 4, 2023
But having a strong performance management program means improving performance. Employees learn what they did right and employers learn how to help their staff achieve career and corporate-oriented goals. These translate to improved morale, a happier workplace and higher profits.
Just ask Michael Traquair, former Executive Chef at the Ramada Plaza & Conference Centre in Abbotsford. Michael is responsible for overseeing all food and beverage operations for the property. During peak season he has 30 employees, and conducting evaluations is one of his most important job duties.
“Feedback is important,” said Michael. “I think we have a responsibility to the team to make sure we do evaluations. We use them to gather information and make the necessary changes.”
Michael talked about using evaluations not only to improve an individual employee’s performance, but also to improve the working environment so that employees can do their jobs better. “I ask them to appraise me as a leader,” he said. “I ask them what changes they would like to see in the organization.”
He uses evaluations as a way of coaching and inspiring employees, something especially important in his industry. “Really it’s about setting benchmarks and timeframes for achievement,” said Michael. Their organization has an apprenticeship program and issues such as training might come out in the evaluation. For example, Michael might learn that certain employees would improve job performance if they took more career-oriented field trips.
Michael usually likes to complete two formal performance evaluations a year, once every six months. Most of the time he leaves it open for the team member to decide when because some people prefer feedback more often than others.
Because employee performance affects company performance, many employers link performance reviews to pay raises. “We don’t always give a raise after every performance review,” said Michael. “If somebody deserves it, they’re going to get a raise.”
Michael has learned that when employees understand what’s expected of them, they have an easier time doing things that make their company successful. Rewarding a great worker with a pay raise identifies “superstars” that will motivate the rest of the team to do the same kinds of things.
According to Michael, most employees actually enjoy performance reviews. “If you’ve done your job and hired the right person, they’ll love hearing feedback.”
Ultimately, employers want to create a work environment that makes employees look forward to coming to work, reduces absenteeism and motivates people to do their jobs well. Performance reviews can do all these things. “They keep the team united and they help us earn the trust of the team members,” said Michael. To the Ramada Plaza & Conference Centre, performance reviews are an essential part of their business success.
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