How Companies Like PetVet365 Use Performance Management Tools to Support Employee Well-being

If you log into LinkedIn anytime during the month of May, you probably see a lot of employers post about Mental Health Awareness Month. It’s great that employers want to shed light on this important, historically stigmatized topic. But what happens when mental health awareness campaigns come to an end? Should employers stop caring about their employees’ mental well-being?

The answer is a resounding no. Employers must recognize that mental health care should be seamlessly integrated into the employee experience, far beyond designated awareness periods.

Why? Well, of course, because prioritizing employee wellbeing is crucial in its own right. 

But upon deeper examination, it becomes evident that when companies prioritize their employees’ mental health, it inevitably results in a direct and positive impact on the success of the business. And that business success creates a powerful feedback loop that nurtures a sense of efficacy, purpose, and fulfillment among employees, making them further invested in the long-term success of the business.

But what does embedding support for employee wellbeing into the employee experience look like in practice? 

How performance management tools support employee wellbeing

The way that leaders manage employee performance has a direct influence on employee-wellbeing. For example, mismanagement, poorly aligned goals, and poor work-life balance can cause employees to lose motivation and become disengaged, which hurts employee performance and business results. 

To keep both employees and managers on the right track, industry-leading companies such as PetVet365, Clearbit, and Hubspot use performance management tools like 15Five for goal setting, clear communication, and turnover reduction—all of which impact employee engagement and morale.

We recently spoke with Ashley Egan, Regional Practice Manager for PetVet365, about the benefits of using performance management tools to support employee engagement. The following are some of the benefits of utilizing performance management tools to support employee wellbeing.

Enhances employee engagement and motivation

To unlock employee potential and create engagement that fuels performance, managers are responsible for ensuring that employees are fulfilled, supported, and connected to the company’s mission and purpose. But sometimes, that is easier said than done!

By using performance management tools, leaders can improve employee engagement by providing a structured and supportive framework for setting goals, receiving feedback, recognizing achievements, and promoting growth.

In turn, this drives motivation and creates employees who are actively engaged with a business.

Ashley uses 15Five to ask her direct reports engaging questions in the weekly check-ins. She says, “By customizing weekly questions, you can find out so much about your team and their individual personalities. As a manager who travels within several different hospitals, I might not always have a chance to see every team member within the week. Through 15Five, I am able to still have some kind of weekly communication and clear visibility to their performance or concerns.”

Facilitates continuous feedback and communication

Performance management tools play a pivotal role in fostering a culture of open communication and psychological safety within organizations. Beyond enabling managers to seek employee feedback, these tools create a conducive environment for employees to freely express their questions and concerns and both receive and provide regular feedback.

For example, Ashley uses 15Five’s platform to prioritize open communication with her team. She says, “15Five is easily one of my favorite tools we use at PetVet365. It’s an easy outlet for our team members to give honest feedback weekly.”

“We know how important it is for our teams to feel seen and heard within our company, and that is exactly why we use 15Five. It’s not about having a perfect score each week, but identifying a problem early enough to make a difference,” Ashley concludes.  

Supports goal setting and career development

Performance management tools set clear and achievable goals for employees and allow leaders to check in on employee progress regularly. 

When goals are realistic and align with employees’ capabilities, it reduces workplace stress and anxiety, which can lead to improved well-being. Clear objectives also provide a sense of direction and purpose, which can increase motivation and job satisfaction.

Creates a culture of continuous improvement

Regular one-on-ones and performance reviews encourage employees to seek ways to enhance their performance and contribute positively to the organization’s success. This helps employees to align with organizational values and help them feel a sense of belonging in the workplace which fosters employee engagement. 

Promotes employee recognition 

Employee recognition is more than a casual thank you. Genuinely being grateful for your team’s efforts boosts morale and increases motivation, which all contribute to employee well-being. 

In 15Five, we have a function that allows employees to give each other a virtual ‘high-five’ as a recognition.

“How special is it to receive a high-five from your peers?” says Ashley. “It puts a smile on my face every time I see another team member giving some kind of personal recognition through a high-five.”

Helps make data-driven decisions 

Performance management tools generate reliable data and insights that inform decision-making at various levels of the organization. And when businesses make decisions based on fact and not feeling, this creates a fair and transparent work environment, which contributes to higher levels of trust and engagement among employees.

Supports employee empowerment

By involving employees in goal-setting and performance evaluation processes, performance management tools empower employees to take charge of their own careers and growth. This empowerment fosters a sense of ownership and commitment to their work and the organization.

Sustainably support employee wellbeing with performance management tools

Companies like PetVet365 are a great example of the transformative impact of performance management tools on employee well-being. These tools go beyond traditional evaluations, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and supporting employees’ growth. By enhancing engagement and motivation through regular feedback and communication, facilitating goal setting and career development, promoting recognition, and enabling data-driven decisions, these tools empower employees to thrive in a supportive and psychologically safe environment. 

Ultimately, organizations that prioritize employee well-being through performance management tools cultivate a workforce that is not only happier and more fulfilled but also more productive and committed to the long-term success of the company. Many customers of 15Five who are focused on this work are also measuring and acting on engagement, retention, and performance with the HR Outcomes Dashboard.

Want to learn more about how 15Five’s tools can help you build a workplace culture that supports employee wellbeing from the inside out? Contact us to schedule a demo today.