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Performance Review Document
I need a performance review document for a mid-level employee focusing on their achievements over the past year, areas for improvement, and setting goals for the next review period. The document should include a self-assessment section and feedback from peers and supervisors.
What is a Performance Review Document?
A Performance Review Document is a formal record that systematically evaluates an employee's work performance, achievements, and development areas within an organisation, aligning with the Employment Relations Act 2000 and Good Faith obligations. This comprehensive assessment tool typically includes specific performance metrics, goal achievement analysis, behavioural competencies, and alignment with organisational values, while ensuring compliance with the Privacy Act 2020 regarding the handling of personal employment information.
In accordance with fair employment practices and the Human Rights Act 1993, these documents serve multiple crucial functions: establishing clear performance expectations, identifying training needs, supporting career development decisions, and providing objective evidence for employment-related decisions such as promotions or remuneration reviews. When properly maintained, Performance Review Documents create an auditable trail of employee progress and form a vital component of workplace dispute resolution processes, particularly important given the jurisdiction of the Employment Relations Authority and Employment Court in addressing workplace grievances.
When should you use a Performance Review Document?
Consider implementing a Performance Review Document when you need to establish clear accountability and track employee development in your workplace, particularly during annual performance cycles, probation periods, or when addressing specific performance concerns. These formal assessments become essential when managing performance-based remuneration decisions, identifying training needs, or building evidence for promotion considerations, all while adhering to the principles of natural justice under New Zealand employment law.
You should utilize these documents systematically throughout the employment relationship: during regular performance reviews (typically quarterly or annually), following significant project completions, before confirming permanent employment after probation periods, or when addressing performance improvement needs. This documentation proves invaluable if employment disputes arise, providing crucial evidence for Employment Relations Authority proceedings or personal grievance cases. Moreover, maintaining consistent Performance Review Documents helps protect your organization against unjustified dismissal claims, supports fair and transparent promotion decisions, and demonstrates compliance with good faith obligations under employment legislation.
What are the different types of Performance Review Document?
Performance Review Documents in New Zealand encompass several distinct formats, each designed to address specific evaluation needs while maintaining compliance with employment legislation and workplace policies. The type you choose should align with your organization's structure, industry requirements, and evaluation objectives, while ensuring fair and comprehensive assessment practices.
- Simple Performance Evaluation Form: A straightforward assessment tool ideal for small businesses or regular quarterly reviews, focusing on core performance metrics and basic competencies.
- 360 Degree Performance Appraisal Form: Comprehensive evaluation incorporating feedback from peers, subordinates, and supervisors, particularly valuable for leadership roles and complex organizational structures.
- Self Appraisal Form: Enables employees to reflect on their own performance and set development goals, supporting employee engagement and personal accountability.
- Supplier Evaluation Form: Adapted for assessing external service providers and contractors, ensuring consistent performance standards across the supply chain.
- Kitchen Employee Evaluation Form: Industry-specific evaluation tailored for hospitality workers, incorporating relevant health and safety compliance and technical skill assessments.
Selecting the appropriate review format ensures meaningful evaluation outcomes while maintaining legal compliance. Consider your specific industry requirements, organizational size, and evaluation objectives when choosing or customizing these templates to create the most effective performance management system for your workplace.
Who should typically use a Performance Review Document?
The implementation and execution of Performance Review Documents involve multiple stakeholders across organizational hierarchies, each playing distinct roles in ensuring fair and effective performance management under New Zealand employment law. These documents create a framework for accountability while supporting professional development and maintaining compliance with the Employment Relations Act 2000.
- Line Managers/Supervisors: Primary responsibility for conducting reviews, documenting performance observations, and providing constructive feedback. They must maintain objectivity and ensure consistency in evaluation criteria across team members.
- Human Resources Department: Oversees the review process, develops evaluation frameworks, ensures compliance with employment legislation, and maintains confidential records in accordance with the Privacy Act 2020.
- Employees: Active participants in the review process, with rights to provide input, self-assessment, and feedback. They must receive copies of their reviews and have opportunities to respond to assessments.
- Senior Management: Reviews and approves performance evaluation systems, ensures alignment with organizational objectives, and makes final decisions on performance-related outcomes.
- Union Representatives: Where applicable, may participate in developing review criteria and processes, ensuring fair treatment and compliance with collective agreements.
Effective collaboration between these parties ensures transparent, fair, and legally compliant performance management processes. Each stakeholder's engagement is crucial for maintaining the document's integrity and achieving its intended outcomes in workforce development and risk management.
How do you write a Performance Review Document?
The process of creating an effective Performance Review Document requires careful attention to both legal compliance and practical utility in the New Zealand workplace context. Utilizing a custom-generated template from a reputable provider like Ƶ can significantly simplify the process and minimize the chance of mistakes, ensuring accuracy and compliance with legal requirements.
- Establish Clear Metrics: Define specific, measurable performance indicators aligned with job descriptions and organizational objectives, ensuring compliance with employment agreements and industry standards.
- Structure Documentation: Include employee details, review period, performance criteria, achievement metrics, development goals, and both parties' signatures, maintaining consistency with Privacy Act requirements.
- Incorporate Fairness Principles: Ensure evaluation criteria are objective, non-discriminatory, and align with the Human Rights Act 1993, avoiding potential personal grievance claims.
- Define Development Pathways: Clearly outline opportunities for improvement, training needs, and career progression goals, supporting good faith obligations under employment law.
- Include Review Mechanisms: Establish clear processes for employee feedback, performance improvement plans, and dispute resolution procedures that align with natural justice principles.
Before implementation, have your draft reviewed by legal counsel to ensure compliance with current employment legislation and workplace policies. Regular updates to the document's structure and content will help maintain its relevance and effectiveness in supporting both organizational objectives and employee development.
What should be included in a Performance Review Document?
A comprehensive Performance Review Document must incorporate specific elements to ensure legal validity under New Zealand employment law and workplace regulations. Ƶ takes the guesswork out of this process by providing legally sound, custom-generated legal documents, ensuring all mandatory elements are correctly included and minimizing drafting errors. The following checklist outlines essential components required for compliance and effectiveness:
- Document Identification and Context: Clear statement of document purpose, review period dates, organizational details, and relevant employment agreement references.
- Employee Information Section: Full name, position title, department, reporting relationships, and employment status in accordance with Privacy Act 2020 requirements.
- Performance Criteria Framework: Detailed, measurable performance indicators aligned with job descriptions and organizational objectives, ensuring compliance with good faith obligations.
- Achievement Assessment Matrix: Quantifiable metrics and rating scales for evaluating performance against established criteria, with clear definitions for each rating level.
- Development Goals and Objectives: Specific, time-bound professional development targets aligned with organizational needs and career progression pathways.
- Performance Improvement Provisions: Clear processes for addressing underperformance, including specific timelines and support measures.
- Feedback Mechanisms: Structured sections for both evaluator and employee comments, ensuring natural justice principles are maintained.
- Privacy and Confidentiality Clause: Statements regarding information handling and storage in compliance with privacy legislation.
- Dispute Resolution Process: Clear procedures for addressing disagreements about assessments, aligned with employment agreement provisions.
- Acknowledgment and Signatures: Dedicated spaces for employee and evaluator signatures, dates, and any additional approvals required.
- Review and Appeal Rights: Clear outline of the employee's rights to respond to or challenge the assessment.
Review this checklist thoroughly during document preparation to ensure all essential elements are properly incorporated. Regular internal review of these components helps maintain the document's effectiveness and legal compliance while supporting fair and transparent performance management processes.
What's the difference between a Performance Review Document and a Performance Improvement Plan?
While both documents address employee performance, a Performance Review Document differs significantly from a Performance Improvement Plan in several key aspects. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for proper implementation and compliance with New Zealand employment law, particularly the Employment Relations Act 2000 and good faith obligations.
- Primary Purpose: Performance Review Documents focus on regular, comprehensive evaluation of overall job performance and achievement, while Performance Improvement Plans specifically address identified performance deficiencies and outline required corrective actions.
- Timing and Duration: Reviews occur at scheduled intervals (typically annually or bi-annually) as part of normal business operations, whereas Improvement Plans are implemented as needed and typically have specific, shorter timeframes for achieving defined objectives.
- Legal Implications: Performance Reviews primarily support career development and remuneration decisions, while Improvement Plans often serve as formal documentation in potential disciplinary processes or dismissal procedures.
- Content Focus: Reviews evaluate both strengths and areas for development across all job aspects, while Improvement Plans concentrate specifically on addressing identified performance gaps with concrete action steps.
- Stakeholder Involvement: Reviews typically involve broader input from various stakeholders, whereas Improvement Plans usually involve more direct supervision and frequent check-ins between the employee and immediate manager.
- Documentation Requirements: Reviews maintain broader historical records of performance, while Improvement Plans require more detailed documentation of specific issues, targets, and progress monitoring.
Understanding these distinctions helps ensure appropriate document selection and implementation, supporting both effective performance management and legal compliance. Each serves distinct purposes in the employment relationship, with different implications for workplace dynamics and potential employment disputes.
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