Glossary
90-day review
Apr 4, 2024

What is a 90-day review?

The 90-day review is a talk between the employee and their manager where they discuss how things are going. This is usually held every three months, but some companies choose to do them once per quarter or even per year. This can be a very helpful tool for employees and managers alike because it gives both parties an opportunity to reflect on what's been going well or not well during the past three months.

Why do 90-day reviews?

The 90 days review is a time for HR and the manager to assess the employee's progress and make sure nothing is keeping them from moving in the right direction. It can help:

  • Ensure that the employee is meeting their goals.
  • Identify areas in which they need to improve.
  • Identify areas where there is room for growth and improvement.
  • Identify areas that are working well so as not to disrupt them or take them out of the equation if they are important for success in the market or organizationally (e.g. if a project was successful due to the efforts of certain people).

What do the 90-day reviews include?

The 90-day review is a formal evaluation of an employee's progress. It's a critical milestone in the hiring process, which helps him and the employer agree on whether they are a good fit for each other.

A typical 90-day review includes:

  • An interview with the manager to discuss what's gone well and what could use improvement since the initial offer was made. This may include feedback on performance, suggestions for how to improve, or cautions about behaviors that may be problematic at work.
  • A meeting with HR (human resources) to talk about benefits and policies related to time off, pay raises/bonus incentives/reviews, etc.

How to conduct a 90-day review?

Conducting a 90-day review for employee is relatively straightforward. You’ll need to:

  • Prepare a checklist of questions to ask.
  • Use the right tone to get the best results.
  • Listen, listen and listen some more.
  • Ask open questions (i.e., ones that cannot be answered by “yes” or “no”).

It's important that you conduct your 90-day review with an eye toward creating a positive environment for both parties involved in order to maximize its effectiveness and avoid any potential issues down the road.

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