Why mid-year reviews deserve more than 45 minutes

Published date: 1 July 2025

Many organisations treat mid-year reviews as a simple administrative exercise – a formality between more “serious” performance cycles.

According to a recent survey by international recruitment specialist Robert Walters, 45% of business leaders believe mid-year reviews are just a formality. But in a workforce shaped by rapid change, evolving expectations, and the growing demand for meaningful work, that mindset could be costing companies far more than they realise.

Christian Atkinson, Country Director at Robert Walters: “At best, the mid-year review becomes a well-meaning check-in. At worst, it’s a missed opportunity to recalibrate, refocus, and retain top talent.”

It’s time to reframe the mid-year conversation from a softer version of the end-of-year appraisal to a powerful lever for business and cultural impact.

A strategic moment, hiding in plain sight

“By mid-year, employees have gathered enough experience to reflect meaningfully – and still have enough time left in the year to shift gears. That makes it one of the few moments in the employee lifecycle where past, present, and future intersect,” says Christian.

Yet too often, mid-year reviews are reduced to status updates. When that happens, leaders lose the chance to do three things that are increasingly essential for retaining and motivating top talent:

Reconnect with the human behind the role
Realign on goals, priorities, and ambition
Reinvest in career growth and transparent dialogue

The case for reimagining the mid-year review

Right now, many teams are stretched thin. Managers are balancing performance goals, wellbeing concerns, and retention pressures – often in conversations that are squeezed for time and light on direction.

Christian: “When that happens, reviews lose their impact and become a checklist rather than a chance to pause and take stock. People want to feel seen. They want to understand how their work fits into the bigger picture. They want to know there’s still room to grow, even when the path isn’t obvious.”

Mid-year reviews, when done with intention, are a chance to answer those questions and reinvest in your people before the second half of the year picks up speed.

From evaluation to engagement

“What makes a mid-year review impactful is the intention behind it,” Christian explains. “Not only tracking progress, but taking the time to understand what’s changed, what’s motivating someone now, and where they want to head next.”

Here are some practical shifts that can make all the difference:

Prepare with purpose. Go beyond KPIs by reflecting on what’s been said (or unsaid) in recent months. What’s motivated this person? What’s held them back? What questions haven’t been asked?

Start with the human. Wellbeing has a direct impact on productivity, so before diving into objectives, ask: How are you, really? This question, simple as it sounds, can shift the entire tone of the conversation.

Don’t dodge the compensation conversation. Pay might not be on your agenda, but you should assume it’s on your employee’s. Equip yourself with the right data – like a reliable salary survey – and approach the topic with clarity and empathy.

Shift the lens forward. End the review with a clear summary of agreed actions and direction. Where are we going? What support is needed? And just as importantly, what feedback does the employee have for you as a manager?

Why this moment matters

The mid-year review is one of the few chances to pause, take stock, and move forward with intention. It doesn’t need to be grand or polished. But it should be meaningful.

“At its core, these conversations offer a chance to reinforce what truly matters: growth, alignment, and shared purpose. In today’s environment, where retention is increasingly challenging and employee engagement is harder to sustain, this moment is too valuable to leave to chance,” Christian concludes.