
Evaluación del rendimiento de los empleados
Employee performance reviews are formal evaluations where managers assess an employee’s job performance over a specific period. These reviews help identify strengths, address gaps, and align individual goals with organizational objectives. Whether you're preparing for an annual review or writing one for an underperforming employee, real-world examples, phrases, and structured questions can offer helpful guidance and clarity.
¿Qué es la evaluación del rendimiento de un empleado?
Una revisión del rendimiento, también conocida como valoración o evaluación del rendimiento, es un proceso sistemático en el que los directivos valoran el rendimiento laboral de un empleado, le proporcionan información sobre sus puntos fuertes y sus áreas de mejora, y fijan objetivos para su desarrollo futuro.
Las evaluaciones del rendimiento son la piedra angular de los sistemas de gestión del rendimiento en las organizaciones. Permiten a directivos y empleados alinear expectativas, mejorar la comunicación, fomentar el desarrollo profesional y, en última instancia, aumentar la eficacia de la organización.
¿Para qué sirven las evaluaciones del rendimiento de los empleados?
La finalidad de las evaluaciones del rendimiento de los empleados son:
- Evaluating employee performance: Performance reviews allow managers to assess an employee's achievements, strengths, areas for improvement, and overall contribution to the organization.
- Providing feedback: Constructive feedback during performance reviews helps employees understand their performance relative to expectations and facilitates continuous improvement.
- Setting expectations and goals: Performance reviews are an opportunity to set clear expectations, establish goals, and align individual objectives with organizational objectives.
- Identifying training and development needs: By evaluating performance, managers can identify skill gaps and development opportunities for employees and facilitate targeted training and development initiatives.
- Supporting career development: Performance reviews offer a platform for discussing career aspirations, identifying growth opportunities, and creating development plans to support employee advancement.
What types of employee performance reviews exist?
There are several formats depending on the organization's structure, culture, and goals. Each type serves a unique purpose.
- Self-assessment reviews: employees reflect on their own performance
- Manager reviews: direct supervisors evaluate employee output
- 360-degree reviews: includes input from peers, subordinates, and clients
- Project-based reviews: assesses performance at the end of specific tasks
- Probationary reviews: occurs after initial hiring phase
What questions should an employee ask in a performance review?
Employees can use reviews as a growth opportunity by asking thoughtful questions that show initiative and openness.
- “What skills should I focus on developing next?”
- “How does my work contribute to team goals?”
- “Where do you see growth opportunities for me?”
- “What areas could I improve on?”
- “How can I better align with company objectives?”
Why are employee performance reviews important?
They serve as a critical tool for engagement, productivity, and long-term success. Skipping them can lead to misalignment and disengagement.
- Provide constructive feedback to guide improvement
- Encourage goal setting and professional development
- Reduce turnover by fostering trust and clarity
- Offer HR data for succession planning and training needs
Who should conduct employee performance reviews?
Managers or team leads are typically responsible, but HR often supports the process. In some cases, 360-degree reviews involve peer and self-evaluation too.
- Direct supervisors who understand the day-to-day work
- HR professionals to maintain fairness and structure
- Cross-functional stakeholders in 360-degree reviews
- Employees themselves in self-assessments
¿Cuál es el proceso de evaluación del rendimiento de los empleados?
El proceso incluye:
- Preparation: Gathering relevant data and documentation, such as performance metrics, feedback, and goal progress, and scheduling review meetings in advance.
- Conducting the review meeting: Setting a positive tone, reviewing performance metrics and feedback, providing constructive feedback, and collaboratively setting goals for the future.
- Goal setting for the future: Discussing areas for improvement, establishing new goals, and outlining action plans to support employee development.
- Documenting and following up: Document discussions and agreements and follow up on action plans to ensure accountability and progress.
When should employee performance reviews be conducted?
Reviews should be scheduled regularly to maintain consistent feedback and employee alignment. The frequency depends on company policy and role complexity.
- Annually (most common for strategic roles)
- Biannually or quarterly for project-based roles
- After onboarding or probation periods
- During promotions or performance concerns

Encuestas sobre el pulso de los empleados:
Se trata de encuestas breves que pueden enviarse con frecuencia para comprobar rápidamente lo que piensan sus empleados sobre un tema. La encuesta consta de menos preguntas (no más de 10) para obtener la información rápidamente. Pueden administrarse a intervalos regulares (mensual/semanal/trimestral).

Reuniones individuales:
Celebrar reuniones periódicas de una hora de duración para mantener una charla informal con cada miembro del equipo es una forma excelente de hacerse una idea real de lo que les pasa. Al tratarse de una conversación segura y privada, te ayuda a obtener mejores detalles sobre un asunto.

eNPS:
eNPS (employee Net Promoter score) es una de las formas más sencillas y eficaces de evaluar la opinión de sus empleados sobre su empresa. Incluye una pregunta intrigante que mide la lealtad. Un ejemplo de preguntas de eNPS son ¿Qué probabilidades hay de que recomiende nuestra empresa a otras personas? Los empleados responden a la encuesta eNPS en una escala del 1 al 10, donde 10 significa que es "muy probable" que recomienden la empresa y 1 significa que es "muy improbable" que la recomienden.
En función de las respuestas, los empleados pueden clasificarse en tres categorías diferentes:

- Promotores
Empleados que han respondido positivamente o están de acuerdo. - Detractores
Empleados que han reaccionado negativamente o no están de acuerdo. - Pasivos
Empleados que se han mantenido neutrales con sus respuestas.
Where can you find employee performance review examples?
Examples can be found in HR handbooks, online resources, or internal templates. These help in framing constructive and meaningful reviews.
- Company performance review templates
- HR blogs or management toolkits
- Online platforms offering free employee review samples
- Professional development courses or training portals
Which performance review phrases can be used effectively?
Using clear, role-specific phrases ensures feedback is actionable and professional. Positive or developmental feedback should be direct and measurable.
- "Consistently meets or exceeds deadlines"
- "Demonstrates strong leadership and ownership"
- "Needs to improve time management and task prioritization"
- "Struggles with cross-functional collaboration—needs guidance"
- "Proactively contributes new ideas to team discussions"
What are some tips for writing employee performance reviews?
Well-written reviews should be structured, fair, and aligned with business goals. The tone should be clear yet respectful.
- Avoid vague language or generalizations
- Focus on behaviors, not personalities
- Align feedback with core competencies and KPIs
- Use SMART goals for future planning
- Include positive reinforcement with every critique
How to handle a performance review for an underperforming employee?
Approach these reviews with empathy, clarity, and a plan for improvement. Avoid blaming and instead focus on support.
- Clearly explain the performance issues using examples
- Explore underlying causes (skills, resources, workload)
- Set specific and achievable performance goals
- Offer coaching, mentoring, or training where needed
- Schedule follow-up check-ins to track progress
How do you write a performance review for an employee?
Writing a performance review requires balance—be objective, specific, and supportive. Structure it around key performance areas and use clear examples.
- Begin with overall performance summary
- Use specific, behavior-based performance review phrases
- Highlight strengths and contributions
- Address areas for improvement with action points
- Set clear future goals and expectations
- Maintain a respectful and encouraging tone
How to answer employee performance review questions?
Responding well to performance questions shows professionalism and self-awareness. Be honest and solution-oriented.
- Acknowledge both strengths and gaps
- Back your answers with examples and results
- Avoid defensiveness—show a willingness to improve
- Ask for specific feedback and growth opportunities
- Highlight how you've handled challenges or feedback