Employee feedback is an important aspect of creating a positive work environment. In order to thrive, employees need to know how you view their performance and they need to know that they have a voice within the company.
The following tips can help you foster an environment where your employees can take and receive constructive criticism.
Hold Employee Reviews
The first part of encouraging feedback is to set the precedence. Hold review opportunities where you can discuss how your employees are doing. Be sure to praise their good work, but also don’t be afraid to give constructive criticism. A good employee will be open to constructive criticism because they’ll want to improve.
Another great way to show your employees you care is to ask about their goals both professionally and personally. When you show your employees that you care about them, they will feel valued and will treat you and your business with more respect.
Be Open to Employee Feedback
During the performance reviews allow your employees to tell you what is working or not working for them. A lot of times employees are able to see issues with day to day operations that you don’t see.
Listen to the concerns of your team members. Ask them for solutions to the problems they see. Do not get offended when they tell you that something isn’t working. When you are open to hearing constructive criticism of your business you can make it a better place to work.
How to Effectively Give Feedback to Your Employees
Because giving and receiving feedback can be a touchy subject it’s important to make sure you address it in the best way. Here are a few do’s and don’t’s of employee feedback.
Do
- Compliment efforts of your employees
- Set clear expectations; that way your employees know what they need to do to succeed.
- Ask for solutions to problems.
- Hold your employees accountable for what you have discussed.
- Follow up with employees after they’ve voiced a concern. Sometimes they are wrong about something, but let them know you looked into their issues.
Don’t
- Get mad when employees express how they feel. Your employees are trying to improve your business, not demean it (or you.)
- Ignore suggestions. Take all employee feedback and suggestions as sincere ways to help your company.
- Wait for formal reviews to give feedback. Let employees know how they’re doing on a regular basis.
- Use performance reviews as a way to put down employees. Make reviews a positive experience.
- Don’t give negative feedback in front of other employees. It doesn’t help foster a positive work environment if you’re critical of employees in front of each other. Instead, give compliments around others and critique privately.
Keep in mind that 69 percent of employees say they would work harder if their work was recognized. By giving and accepting employee feedback you can improve the atmosphere of your business.
