Performance Management
Poor performance can happen for many reasons but often managers shy away from direct discussions with poorly performing employees. However, this not only leads to the employee working inefficiently or making mistakes which can be costly for the business but it also has a detrimental impact on team morale. Whether you can deal with performance issues on an informal basis or you need to implement a more formal performance improvement plan, we can help guide you through the process to follow.
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If you have moved to a form of hybrid or remote working it is particularly important that you have good systems in place to monitor and manage performance for those working away from the office. You should also have a clear policy in place setting out the circumstances in which hybrid or remote working arrangements may be altered where there are concerns regarding performance.
What we can help with around performance management
- Creating and updating robust management policies and capability procedures that are fit for purpose
- Advice on the effective use of probationary periods, one-to-ones and appraisals
- Effective Performance Improvement Plans, including setting targets, reasonable timescales for improvement and support/training required
- Conducting performance management investigations and collating evidence
- Conducting performance management meetings including issuing written warnings
- Advice on managing remote employees
- Reasonable adjustments for disabled employees
- Managing poor attitude to work
- Dealing with appeals
- Avoiding unfair dismissal and discrimination claims
- Creating and updating robust hybrid and remote working policies setting out how you will monitor performance and manage performance issues when they arise
Training
We run regular HR courses at our offices and external venues over the year designed for HR professionals and those responsible for HR within their organisation. We also run webinars on these topics. Keep an eye on the Events section of our website to see upcoming courses.
In-House Counsel
Our team of experienced lawyers is well-equipped to support you in various ways. Whether you require advice on a specific issue, additional resources due to capacity constraints, or a second opinion, we are here to help. Explore our legal counsel page for more information and details on our schedule of seminars, specifically designed for in-house counsel.
How we work with you
Whilst based in the South of England, Paris Smith acts for businesses and families throughout the UK. Technology has enabled us to provide a high level of service to our clients whether they are local to our offices or not. Our advice can be given in many ways:
- Over the telephone
- Via video conferencing
- In face to face meetings
We will talk through how you would like to be contacted and the best ways for us to meet in our early conversations with you.
Get in touch to speak with an expert.
Introducing your key contacts
Clive Dobbin
Partner and Head of Employment & Sports
David Roath
Partner – Employment Team, Winchester
How we’ve helped our clients
Performance Management Resources
Events
22
Jan
Line Manager Training
09:03 – 17:00 GMT
Wed 22nd Jan 2025
Axis Conference Centre
From £250.00
30
Apr
Managing difficult HR issues – Training
10:00 – 12:00 GMT
Wed 30th Apr 2025
Paris Smith LLP
From £90.00
Podcast
Performance management process: getting it right in your business
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Performance management process: getting it right in your business
In our latest employment law podcast, where employment law experts Claire Merritt and Tabytha Cunningham dive into the complex topic of performance management. They explore and advise on how to manage poor performance, why its so important, the key components of a good performance management process and how to address concerns.
Show notes:
00:45
Why is performance management important? Good performance management leads to better productivity, open communication and allows managers to identify, and more importantly resolve issues.
02:20
How has performance management been affected by the pandemic? Good performance management is difficult at the best of times, and the pandemic had led many businesses to be in survival mode which means performance management slips off the radar.
05:05
What are the key components of performance management processes? The important things to remember are to be continuous, and have structure.
09:00
Claire and Tabytha discuss the importance of tailoring targets and performance criteria for individuals.
10:50
How do you set up a performance management process? Its not plain sailing! There is no ‘one size fits all’ but employers should focus on making it realistic, and investing in managers is key.
14:10
Claire and Tabytha discuss how important it is to set goals and targets that are appropriate.
15:15
How to use your system to manage those poorly performing – remember the aim is always improvement, not dismissal.
17:00
How to identify the reasons for poor performance. This could be anything from training requirements to personal issues. Managing this is an important part of good performance management.
18:30
Claire and Tabytha discuss how formal and informal performance management processes can be used together, and how they can serve different purposes.
19:00
What happens when an employee’s performance does not improve, despite a robust procedure?
23:35
Claire and Tabytha tackle a common question: how long do you set targets for?
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