The start of the year is also the start of annual performance reviews for many law firms and legal departments in the Toronto area. Since performance reviews tend to occur yearly, many supervisors find their skills get rusty from year to year.
If you’re having trouble remembering how to give a solid review, here’s a guide to jump-start the process:
- Consider each employee separately. Find the time to sit with each employee’s file and make a few notes before you begin holding performance reviews. For each person, ask: What did he or she do well this year? What could have been better? What specific feedback can you give each person to improve his or her work?
- Know why you’re holding the meeting. Ask one specific question: “What do I want the employee to take away from this meeting?” Then, answer that question in one sentence. Plan all your other points – feedback, examples of good or bad work, and other items – around your answer to this question.
- Ask the employee to come prepared. Asking employees to self-review before the performance review meeting is a great way to see how aware the employee is of his or her own performance, plus find common ground on which to discuss both good work and work that needs improvement. This also gives the employee the chance to develop any particular questions they want to ask about their work or career development.
- Start strong. Start with the one thing you believe this employee does best – whether it’s drafting briefs or calming anxious clients. Give a specific example and state what is exemplary about the work. By starting with their strongest work, you build confidence, dispose the employee toward listening, and set a tone in which constructive feedback on weaknesses can be framed as “You can bring this performance up to the level of your best work by doing…,” rather than “You’re doing well but….”
At Kent Legal, our experienced recruiters connect law firms and legal departments throughout the greater Toronto area with outstanding legal support staff. Contact us today to learn how we can help you!
