Julie East

Performance evaluations rank among the most stress-inducing and anxiety-provoking aspects of the employee journey. As HR professionals, we must advocate for a "brain-friendly" approach, guiding our leaders to assist the brain in shifting away from threat mode towards a state of relaxation and reward. Employees must experience a sense of autonomy within this process. One effective strategy is to empower the employee to lead the manager through their self-evaluation. This reversal of roles ensures the employee feels a degree of control. Naturally, the manager won't simply acquiesce to every rating and supporting example provided by the employee. However, this facilitates two-way communication, rather than the one-way flow of feedback.

Employees need to feel a certain level of control over their destiny. Companies can accomplish this be encouraging them to take the time to do a self evaluation. Also a performance system which includes quarterly feedback discussions can help with engagement.

A well- worded handbook will ensure employees have a place to go to search for what the policies say and how to report a concern. Then, the managers and HR team need to act quickly to investigate reported violations of policies, especially discrimination, harassment and workplace violence/bullying. If these steps occur, employees will have faith that their company’s systems for accountability in the workplace. And this, in turn, helps to build trust which as we know is a key element of engagement.

Mentors should be trained on how to handle complaints or concerns by their mentees. Especially ones that break company policy.

In my experience the best follow up is to send a thoughtful email or LinkedIn in mail, acknowledging the new relationship, and then share something useful or interesting based on the initial conversation. To give is better than to receive!

Companies can encourage adaptability by offering several means for the employees to express opinions and ideas. Even better is when senior leaders acknowledge and encourage ideas for experimentation and operational efficiencies. Employees and leaders who are recognized for contributing create a culture that embraces the expression of new ideas into a culture of adaptability, which will ensure a company continues to grow and evolve