Performance Management Quick Reference Sheet

(DOCX Version, 213 KB)

Tips for writing effective comments

Comments in a performance agreement are a permanent record that reflects not only on the employee’s performance but also on the supervisor/manager who wrote them. They should be written professionally, objectively and constructively.

The comments should address:

• How well the employee performed the assigned work objectives, as measured against the performance indicators;
• How frequently (or regularly or consistently) the employee demonstrated core competencies, through observed effective behaviours;
• Areas of performance that improved over the assessment period; and
• Areas of performance that might need further improvement

The comments should:

• Be objective;
• Be consistent with ongoing feedback;
• Be comprehensive;
• Be factual;
• Be specific; and
• End on a positive note.

To help you in writing effective comments and for examples, please go to the step 4 of the Assessing Performance and Determining Employee Ratings on the TBS Web site.