Small Biz Prompts

Prepare a fair employee performance review

Turn your notes into a balanced performance review with specific examples, clear goals for the next period, and a plan for the conversation.

performance reviewfeedbackmanagement

The prompt

Act as an experienced small business manager and HR advisor. Help me prepare a performance review for one employee.

Employee's role and how long they've worked here: [DETAILS]
What their job is supposed to achieve (main responsibilities or goals): [LIST]
Specific things that went well this period, with examples: [NOTES]
Specific things that need to improve, with examples: [NOTES]
Any numbers I track (sales, jobs completed, customer reviews, attendance): [DATA or "none"]
Whether I'm considering a raise, promotion or warning: [DETAILS or "none"]

Give me:
1. A written review with sections for strengths, areas to improve and overall summary. Use only my examples, in neutral, specific language.
2. Three SMART goals for the next 3-6 months, each with how we'll measure it.
3. An outline for the meeting: how to open, the order to cover things, questions to ask the employee, and how to close.
4. Phrases to avoid because they're vague, personal or could create legal risk, marked [CHECK WITH A PROFESSIONAL] if they touch discipline or termination.
Don't invent examples or judge personality. Focus on work behavior and results.

Replace every [BRACKETED] part with your own details before sending.

How to use it

Keep notes through the year so the review isn't based only on the last few weeks. Give the employee a chance to share their own view first. If the review could lead to discipline or termination, have the wording checked before the meeting.

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