HR Basics: Giving Employee Feedback 2e

HR Basics is a series of short courses, designed to highlight what you need to know about a particular human resource management topic. In today’s HR Basics, we explore giving employee feedback, its importance and how the best managers give feedback to employees.

Feedback informs employees about their performance and behavior. Employee feedback is the core of personal and professional growth. Feedback can help an employee get better at what they do, and surprisingly employees crave feedback.

Most managers don't provide enough feedback, and when they do, they either make it too negative or are too vague while trying to keep it positive. Here are some quick tips for providing positive and negative feedback.

Positive feedback enhances or amplifies an effect by it having an influence on the process which gave rise to it. Thank and recognize frequently – people like to hear that they are doing a good job. Individual recognition and praise should be given in the way an employee prefers. Recognize behavior by communicating how it is helping you, the team, the company and themselves. Encourage continued behaviors – make sure they know what to do in the future.

Negative feedback is a reaction that causes a decrease in function. Be prompt with constructive feedback – the sooner you provide feedback, the more likely the individual will connect the feedback to their behavior. Deliver constructive feedback in private, at a scheduled time and in a well prepared manner. Discuss specific behaviors, not personal traits. “You have shown up late for three project meetings” is better than, “You are not committed to this project”. Describe what you saw or heard, not your judgment or evaluation. “Your presentation ran 45 minutes, 15 minutes over time” is better than “You did not prepare properly for the meeting”. Clearly define changes you want made and desired expectations and outcomes, “Next time, limit your presentation to fit the scheduled time slot”.

EARN feedback provides a structured way to provide timely feedback. The EARN model ensures employees receive focused and actionable feedback. And, EARN feedback allows for emotion-free, fact-based delivery of feedback.