Hogan Lovells is to discontinue yearly performance reviews in a change to how it will provide associate feedback. The firm is creating a new programme called “Pathways.” As is common commercial practice, associates currently receive performance reviews during an evaluation process. The initiative will mean they can ask partners and other firm professionals to provide feedback throughout the year. The firm is encouraging “flash feedback,” leading to associates getting at least three people’s reviews of their performance every three months. The firm believes such flash feedback can encourage people to have more engagement with those they work with.

More effective

The decision follows a 16-month study of the effectiveness of a yearly performance review which concluded consistent feedback is the way to go. Among the concerns were the effectiveness of using the reports in deciding on major promotion decisions, and whether the process delivered what was needed. Many firms, professional and industrial, have concluded recently annual performance reviews do not match with the today’s business demands and are scrapping them. The Hogan Lovells Pathways program will be rolled out globally and is expected to be enacted by next year.