Software Engineering

Navigating Difficult Conversations: Tips for Giving Negative Feedback in a Performance Review

Performance reviews can be difficult, especially when you have to give negative feedback to an employee. Here are some tips on how to approach the conversation.
Published on
March 2024

Performance reviews can be difficult, especially when you have to give negative feedback to an employee. It's important to approach the conversation in a constructive way and to focus on the employee's behavior and not their character. Here are some suggestions for how to navigate the conversation:

  1. Be specific: Rather than making general statements about the employee's performance, provide specific examples of areas where they need improvement. This will help the employee understand what they need to work on and will also help you back up your points.
  2. Focus on the behavior, not the person: It's important to avoid making personal attacks or being critical of the employee's character. Instead, focus on the specific actions or behaviors that need improvement.
  3. Offer solutions: In addition to pointing out areas for improvement, it's helpful to offer suggestions for how the employee can address these issues. This could include training opportunities or additional resources.
  4. Keep an open mind: It's possible that the employee may have a different perspective on the situation. Be open to hearing their side and consider their suggestions for improvement.
  5. Follow up: After the performance review, make sure to follow up with the employee to see how they are progressing with the areas that need improvement. Set specific goals and checkpoints to track their progress, and offer additional support as needed. This will show the employee that you are invested in their development and that you are committed to helping them succeed.

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Whenever you’re ready, here are 4 ways WorkStory can help you:

  1. The WorkStory Platform: Our all-in-one performance management solution. WorkStory makes it easy to gather continuous feedback, run 360 reviews, and track team progress—all in one place. Perfect for teams looking to move beyond traditional performance reviews.
  2. The Performance Review Builder Tool: Create customized performance reviews that fit your organization’s unique needs. Tailor the reviews to each role, streamline the review process, and focus on growth-oriented feedback.
  3. Performance Review Templates: Access a library of pre-built, best-in-class performance review templates that are ready to use. Whether you need templates for leadership, team members, or cross-functional roles, we’ve got you covered.
  4. HR Document Templates: From onboarding checklists to change management guides, our HR templates are designed to save time and ensure consistency across your organization. Simply download, customize, and implement.
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