Evaluating employees

     When evaluating others you must first find a point of reference. For example: When I do employee evaluations I first think of the way the operators should behave. Next I think of someone who does the job the way I want it done. Then I ask what makes them so good at what they do. Is it a good mindset? Do they race themselves and others in order to get good numbers and efficiency? Are they a good team player? Do they keep their areas clean and organized? Once I've established what I need in an employee then I ask does the employee I'm evaluating have those same quality's. What are their strong suits and what should be worked on? Pick a couple thing that are great and a couple things that need work. The point of an evaluation is to boost the individual as well as to help them realize what can help them get better. When giving an evaluation be specific. You never want the employee to be lost when they leave. Specifics can help the employee to understand what you are looking for. I might comment that I observed them sweeping and organizing their work station while the job was down for maintenance. I will tell them that I really appreciate them keeping busy and making sure the area is kept clean. Praise the employee for the little things. We all deal with the negative stuff daily and it can really wear down anyone. So now is the time to praise them for the good that you have seen.

    Only choose a couple things to work on. Do not go into the evaluation believing that you are going tell them everything they have ever done wrong. This will only make them shut down. Be sure to give them ways to help improve what you are asking them to work on. For an example, if  you need to work on efficiency you can give them advice on how to get their numbers higher. They can tell you their ideas on making it better as well. Then when they leave there is a plan set and you and the employee should see the efficiency go up. Make sure to let them know when you see progress.
  Lastly, an evaluation is a recap of the year. It should not be a surprise. If the employees goal is to improve efficiency they should know when it happens that it needed work. The evaluation is a way to pin point areas that need work and find ways together to improve on the issue.

Good ideas for doing evaluations (long read but useful)