In which phase of the employment cycle does performance management occur?

Performance management occurs during the maintenance phase of the employment cycle. This phase is crucial as it focuses on ensuring that employees are effectively contributing to the organization and meeting performance expectations.

In the maintenance phase, organizations implement strategies and practices to monitor and assess employee performance, provide feedback, and foster professional development. This is where regular performance reviews and appraisals take place, allowing managers to help employees understand their strengths and areas for improvement.

The goal of performance management during this phase is to enhance employee productivity, align individual goals with organizational objectives, and ultimately retain valuable employees by supporting their growth and satisfaction in their roles. This proactive approach also helps to identify potential issues early on, allowing for timely interventions or additional training as needed.

In contrast, the other phases of the employment cycle—acquisition, development, and separation—do not focus primarily on managing and evaluating employee performance as a continuous process. Instead, acquisition pertains to recruiting and onboarding, development centers on skill enhancement and training, and separation deals with the transition out of the organization.