How Performance Reviews Actually Work

How performance reviews actually work in most organisations is close to the reverse of how they are documented.

The stated process is that evidence is gathered, assessed against criteria, and a rating follows. What commonly happens is that the manager already holds a view, formed over months, and the form is completed to support it.

That is not dishonesty. It is how judgement works, and pretending otherwise is why review training does not land.

The useful response is to accept it and add friction. Ask managers to write three specific examples with dates before selecting a rating. Calibrate with other managers before anything is final. And look at whether ratings correlate with anything other than how much the manager enjoys working with the person.

The Fair Work Commission considers the evidence behind a decision. This is general information rather than legal advice, and obligations vary by state and territory.

See Sentrient’s performance review software and records management software.