Effective performance management is essential for cultivating a healthy, productive workplace culture. At Indian Rocks Church & Christian School, we use Paylocity to document performance and support supervisors in managing employee development with clarity and consistency. This guide outlines the fundamentals of our approach and how Paylocity helps bring it to life.
The Core of Performance Communication
Performance management isn’t just about addressing problems—it’s about celebrating strengths, clarifying expectations, and coaching for improvement. We focus on three main types of performance communication:
1. Recognition
Celebrate when someone gets it right. Recognition is a powerful tool for reinforcing positive behaviors and showing staff what success looks like.
2. Constructive Feedback
Address opportunities for improvement early. When behavior needs redirecting, approach it with the mindset that every action makes sense to the person doing it—until you help them see otherwise.
3. Progressive Performance Counseling
Use this when there’s a serious issue or a pattern of concern. These conversations should never come as a surprise; they’re built on prior feedback and documented efforts to course-correct.
Using the BEST Model for Performance Conversations
When addressing performance issues, use the BEST framework to guide the conversation:
- B – Behavior: Describe what was observed and its impact.
- E – Expectation: Refer to the policy, job description, or standard that was not met.
- S – Solicit Input: Ask for their perspective. “Were you aware…?” or “What was your thought process?”
- T – Talk Next Steps: Establish a plan for improvement and schedule follow-ups.
Journals in Paylocity: Your Ongoing Documentation Tool
Paylocity’s Performance tab provides multiple types of journals to support documentation:
- Notes: Quick entries for first-time concerns or observations.
- Above and Beyond: Use this to recognize exceptional contributions.
- One-on-One: For sit-down conversations or identifying patterns that could escalate to formal counseling.
- Development Plan: A structured entry using the BEST format for serious issues requiring an action plan.
Best Practices for Documentation and Follow-Up
- Prepare ahead. For counseling conversations, write your Development Plan before you meet to stay focused and consistent.
- Recognize often. Don’t underestimate the power of in-the-moment praise. The Paylocity app makes it easy.
- Follow through. If you schedule a check-in, follow through—this builds trust and reduces anxiety.
- Lean on HR. We’re here to support you with documentation reviews, tough conversations, or personalized training.